Contact crime in Brackenfell has risen by 23,6%, with more people assaulted and robbed in the first quarter of the 2024-’25 financial year compared to the same period last year.
The latest crime statistics were released on Friday, showing reported crimes committed between April and June this year.
According to the statistics 40 common assaults were reported, 17 incidents more than the previous year.
In the case of common assaults station commander Col Jakobus Marthinus said, perpetrators and victims mostly know each other.
He said domestic violence is a contributing factor where arguments between suspects and victims lead to assaults.
In turn, 15 cases of common robberies were reported, three more than last year. The problematic areas are Sector 1, the railway bridge, shopping centres and Brackenfell central. Handbags with belongings, cellphones, cash and jewellery are mostly targeted, said Marthinus.
“Uber drivers and women walking alone are being targeted. Community members are cautioned to be vigilant in public places and not to use cellphones while walking.”
Robbery with aggravating circumstances showed a slight decline, with two counts to 16 cases, while murder and attempted murder each dipped by one count to, respectively, one and eight cases.
Sexual offences declined by one count to eight cases.
Eight cases of assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm were reported bringing the total of contact crimes (crimes against the person) to 89 cases.
Incidents at shopping centres
Carjacking and home robberies remain steady with one case each, while four business robberies were reported, two less than the previous year.
In turn property crimes too show an overall increase of 9,9%. With 37 cases reported in these three months – 11 more cases than the previous year – theft of motor vehicles shows a concerning upward trend.
According to Marthinus incidents occur mostly at shopping centres, with the vehicles targeted motorbike scooters.
Theft from motor vehicles remains high, with 60 reported cases, compared to last year’s 62. In both these crime categories, police have intervened by collaborating with security companies, neighbourhood watches and car guards.
Commercial crime has skyrocketed with a 40% increase to 226 reported cases. This crime has shown a worrying year-on-year increase from where it was at 50 reported incidents in 2020.
“The most problematic modus operandi are internet and identity fraud,” Marthinus said.
“These are mostly advertisements on social media, where the victims apply and are asked to deposit money. Vulnerable people, such as senior citizens and people wanting the rent premises, are mostly targeted.
Furthermore, many cases were reported where victims are phoned by suspects pretending to be from their banking institution requesting them to log into the banking app and give personal details. Card snatchers at ATMs are also common.
Be vigilant about surroundings
The Brackenfell Community Policing Forum (CPF) expressed their concern over the high volumes of crime reported in certain categories such as theft of and from motor vehicles, house and common robberies.
According to the CPF theft of motor vehicles takes place predominantly at local shopping centres, an issue Brackenfell police have responded to by engaging with various centre managements.
They urge the community to be vigilant about their surroundings at all times and to always to put their safety first.
“Brackenfell police, together with several role players in the area, are treating these threats as a matter of urgency,” a spokesperson for the CPF executive said.
“Currently, Brackenfell police are receiving an influx of fraud cases being reported and we would like to encourage the public to, although online shopping is easier and more effective, still practise caution when purchasing any item online.
