Robbery with aggravating circumstances took a sharp upward turn, and carjackings are on the rise in Brackenfell compared with June last year, but residential housebreaking fell significantly the Community Police Forum heard at it’s general meeting on 29 June.

Acting Brackenfell Station Commander Lt Col Ernest Campbell, who has been in the role for six months, told the meeting that Brackenfell remains primarily a property-crime area rather than a contact-crime area, but warned that public behaviour is contributing to the problem.

“Vehicles parked at shopping malls with valuables left inside continue to attract criminals,” said Campbell, noting that despite community awareness campaigns and imbizos held to address the issue, behaviour has not changed sufficiently.

In this respect, shopping malls and Protea Heights South remain persistent crime hotspots. He warned that a device is available to identify laptops left in vehicles.

Current crime trends

Comparing June 2026 to the same period last year, crime trends presented a mixed picture for Brackenfell. On the positive side, murders were down by one, attempted murders by two, and assault GBH by two.

Residential housebreaking dropped significantly — 10 counts lower — while business burglary dropped by two counts. Commercial crime fell by seven cases and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition by one.

However, several categories moved in the wrong direction. Robbery with aggravating circumstances, rose by 12 counts including attempts, the sharpest increase across all categories. Theft out of or from motor vehicles was up three counts, theft of motor vehicles and motorcycles up two, and common robbery up two, including attempts. Two more carjacking incidents were recorded in the period under review.

Drunk driving offences, a crime heavily dependent on police action for detection, increased by one case and drug related crimes by six cases.

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Reporting back on a joint operation conducted on 29 June that included checks on foreign nationals in the area, Campbell said all individuals checked were found to be in possession of the required documentation.

Due to a standing moratorium on crime statistics, exact figures are only made public nationally on a quarterly basis.

Law Enforcement and Metro active

Law Enforcement principal inspector Amanda Arendse reported 52 vagrant-related complaints for the period, with Bottelary at Othello identified as a regular pick-up point. Her unit also recorded 42 barking complaints, 36 noise complaints, 22 informal trading operations, 10 traffic violations and 16 general complaints. A problem building in Kompanjie Street, Kaapzicht, was also flagged.

Metro Police inspector Bradley Cortje reported two drunk driving arrests and one arrest for obstructing justice following an operation on 28 June. Metro’s current focus, he said, also includes foot-and-mouth disease control, with Klipheuwel and Philadelphia identified as hotspots.

Animal transporters are being checked and escorted out of the area if they lack the required documentation, with the situation described as having improved.

Youth and child welfare concerns

The Department of Social Development (DSD) supervisor Lanazia Lukas reported that 25 youths between the ages of 14 and 17, including 23 boys and two girls, were assessed for Brackenfell police during the April to June period.

DSD outlined plans to launch a street-children project, beginning with identifying sites, times and numbers before convening meetings and planning operations. A shortage of safety parents was also flagged, with DSD planning to engage local churches to build a database, particularly ahead of the December holiday period when children are often left unsupervised.

Residents needing assistance with elderly care or screening can contact DSD on 021 826 6070 or reach supervisor Lanazia Lukas via WhatsApp on 062 708 9855.