{"id":295175,"date":"2025-12-12T14:45:43","date_gmt":"2025-12-12T12:45:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/?p=295175"},"modified":"2025-12-12T14:52:31","modified_gmt":"2025-12-12T12:52:31","slug":"efforts-to-combat-crime-increased","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/efforts-to-combat-crime-increased\/","title":{"rendered":"Efforts to combat crime increased"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Police in the Free State have significantly intensified their efforts to combat the typical increase in criminal activity associated with the festive season. This period often sees an increase in crime as people become distracted, homes are left vacant, and shoppers carry more cash or new valuables.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As part of the national mandate, the Free State police is executing dedicated campaigns focusing on high-risk areas through Operation Shanela and Festive Season Operations. These campaigns include high-visibility patrols, integrated roadblocks, and robust enforcement activities targeting:\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-wanted-suspects\">Wanted suspects<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Serious and violent crimes which include murder, rape, car hijackings, and robberies.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Liquor Act enforcement\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This extends to illegal firearms and drug possession.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Operation Basadi initiatives continue with a focus on women&#8217;s safety, community engagement, and awareness campaigns addressing gender-based violence (GBV) and substance abuse.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As part of their essential safety guidelines, the police urges residents and travellers to practise extreme vigilance and implement the following safety measures:\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-home-safety\">Home safety<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>\u25a0 Ensure all doors and windows are properly locked before leaving.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u25a0 Do not post travel plans on social media or leave voicemail messages indicating absence.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u25a0 Ask a trusted neighbour or neighbourhood watch member to monitor your property and open or close curtains occasionally.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u25a0 Trim trees and shrubs that could provide hiding places for criminals.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u25a0 Discard boxes from expensive gifts (such as televisions or electronics) carefully and discreetly to avoid advertising new valuables.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-attachment-id=\"295299\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/efforts-to-combat-crime-increased\/south-african-police-in-the-free-state-have-significantly-intensified-5\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/south-african-police-in-the-free-state-have-significantly-intensified-4.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1024,768\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"south-african-police-in-the-free-state-have-significantly-intensified\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/south-african-police-in-the-free-state-have-significantly-intensified-4.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/south-african-police-in-the-free-state-have-significantly-intensified-4.jpg\" alt=\"The SAPS State have significantly intensified their efforts to combat the typical increase in criminal activity associated with the festive season\" class=\"wp-image-295299\" srcset=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/south-african-police-in-the-free-state-have-significantly-intensified-4.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/south-african-police-in-the-free-state-have-significantly-intensified-4-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/south-african-police-in-the-free-state-have-significantly-intensified-4-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The SAPS State have significantly intensified their efforts to combat the typical increase in criminal activity associated with the festive season<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-shopping-and-fraud-prevention\">Shopping and fraud prevention<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>\u25a0 Avoid carrying large amounts of cash; use alternative banking methods.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u25a0 Have your card ready, shield the keypad when entering your PIN, and never accept help from strangers.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u25a0 If you notice suspicious individuals, do not proceed with transactions.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u25a0 At shopping centres, keep your handbag close to your body or wallet in a front pocket.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u25a0 Park in well-lit areas and immediately lock shopping bags in the boot.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u25a0 To prevent online scams, use reputable sites and be cautious of deals that seem &#8220;too good to be true.&#8221;\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u25a0 Never share banking details.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-stokvel-safety\">Stokvel safety<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Members of stokvels are advised to use bank transfers to distribute money to members and require two or more signatories for withdrawals.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Vehicle and road safety\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u25a0 Ensure your car is roadworthy.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u25a0 Carry a spare wheel and emergency kit.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u25a0 Do not drink and drive.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u25a0 Lock doors and keep windows closed, especially at traffic lights.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u25a0 Keep valuables out of sight (ideally in the boot).\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u25a0 Pedestrians should not walk on highways or busy roads and must avoid reckless crossing.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u25a0 Use designated pedestrian bridges to cross busy roads safely.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-safety-at-licensed-premises\">Safety at licensed premises<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>\u25a0 Never leave drinks or food unattended\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u25a0 Always have a designated driver or use a reliable ride-sharing service\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u25a0 A child can drown in as little as 30 seconds and often in only a few centimetres of water (4cm). Parents must always supervise children and never allow them to play near standing water, as accidents can occur that may lead to drowning.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Free State police wishes all residents and visitors a safe and peaceful festive season and encourages all to work closely with police to ensure a crime-free period.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you see something, call the police via Crime Stop at 0860 010 111. For emergencies dial 112 or use the My SAPS app for anonymous tip-offs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Free State police are intensifying efforts to combat rising festive season crime through Operation Shanela and Festive Season Operations. They emphasize safety measures for homes, shopping, stokvels, and road use. Community engagement and awareness campaigns focus on gender-based violence and safety, urging residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious 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