A crime dialogue held in Ferndale on Thursday painted a bleak picture for residents in crime Sector 1 of Brackenfell.
The most recent crime analysis report shows that 50% of all crimes reported in Brackenfell between 1 October 2021 and 20 March 2022 took place in this sector, that covers the area north of Frans Conradie Road.
This is according to a presentation of crime patterns and hotspot crimes presented by visible policing head Lt Col Patrick Jacobs.
Statistics show that both contact and property-related crimes in this sector account for 50% of the total crime reported in Brackenfell, with 40% in Sector 2, south of Frans Conradie and 10% in Sector 3 that covers the Bottelary Farms.
According to Jacobs 23% of contact crimes in this sector are committed on Fridays, followed by 20% on Mondays, of which the majority (28%) take place between 18:00 and 21:00 in the evenings.
Common assault which includes domestic violence and fights following heated arguments account for 55% of all contact crimes in the area.
“At this point common assault is definitely the biggest crime generator in the sector in terms of reported crimes. However, many of these cases are withdrawn and never make it to court for various other reasons,” he says.
Armed robbery accounts for 13% of crimes committed and common robbery for 12%. Theft out of motor vehicles remain the hotspot property-related crime for Sector 2, accounting for 44% of all property crimes, followed by housebreakings that represent 25% of the total.
Business burglaries account for 15% of property crime in the sector and motor vehicle theft 16%.
In the case of property crimes the majority of incidents (435) occur on Thursdays and Fridays, with the rest sporadically during the rest of the week.
Almost half on these crimes (44%) are committed between 15:00 and 21:00 on the various days. Residents were advised to be extra vigilant during these times by switching on their alarms and keeping doors locked and removing valuables from their motor vehicles.
“It is key to never create opportunities for criminals to commit a crime. When it comes to security issues don’t be negligent,” says Jacobs.
