The Second Quarterly Crime Statistics released by the South African Police Service for the period covering July to September 2020, shows an alarming decrease of 46.5% in Crime Detected as a Result of Police Action.
This reflects the reality on the ground for residents who have come to accept criminal behaviour as the order of the day, due to inability by national resourcing of police services to stem the tide on crime.
MPP Reagen Allen comments: “The quarterly statistics in the province do show a decrease in Contact Crime and Contact-related crime, sexual offences, property related crime and other serious crime. But the decrease in these categories of crime cannot be welcomed when Crime Detected as Result of Police in Action is significantly less and categories of Aggravated Robberies soar through the roof.
An unfortunate decrease of 36.9% was recorded in Crime Detected as a result of Police Action. This category should show an increase to indicate SAPS efficacy in detecting certain categories of crime. At the same time, some categories of Aggravated Robberies increased by as much as 33.3%”
The Western Cape has further recorded 4 of the Top 10 police stations for Contact Crime, 8 of the Top 10 stations where the highest numbers of murders have been recorded, and 7 of the Top 10 for attempted murder in the country.
MPP Allen adds: “We do, however, welcome the steps outlined to address extortion and organised crime by provincial SAPS as discussed in the first priority crime meeting by provincial government and SAPS last Friday. These statistics act as a vivid reminder for the introduction and implementation of measures against organised crime as a matter of urgency and ongoing concern in our province.”
Through parliamentary questions, I have enquired on the detailed anticipated outcomes of the priority crime meeting and the expectations of the provincial government in this regard. The successful undertaking of these efforts is desperately needed to speak to a vast need in our communities. The responses will enable further oversight to ensure efforts lead to impact on the ground.”
We have seen the additional effort by the provincial government pay off in the stabilisation of crime in priority areas, but communities desperately and urgently need to experience the full capacity and efficacy of SAPS, as amplified by quarterly statistics.
