File picture: SAPS Twitter
MORE than 7,200 arrests have been made for various crimes since the start of the police’s Safer Festive Season operations in the Northern Cape.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Mohale Ramatseba said arrests were made on various charges including driving under the influence of alcohol, possession and dealing in drugs, unlicensed firearms and ammunition, illicit alcohol, murder, attempted murder, robbery, burglary, assault, theft, sexual offences, stock theft, possession of suspected stolen property, contravention of the Illegal Immigration Act and wanted suspects.
"Several persons were arrested for less serious crimes such as drinking in public, public nuisance and riotous behaviour," added Ramatseba.
He said that operations were enforced by police station members, the SAPS provincial support personnel, the K9 unit, Flying Squad, Highway Patrol, Crime Intelligence, Public Order Police Unit, Detectives, Tactical Response Team, Organised Crime unit, Stock Theft unit, Vehicle Crime Investigation unit and SAPS Airwing.
"The proactive crime-prevention visibility was enhanced with members from the community policing forums and neighbourhood watches in our local communities, central business districts and shopping malls."
Ramatseba said that flyers containing festive season safety tips were distributed at roadblocks, taxi ranks and hospitals, while the public was continually sensitised to adhere to the Covid-19 regulations.
He said inspections were conducted at more than 1,400 liquor outlets, firearm shops and second-hand goods premises.
"The teams shut down about 80 shebeens and confiscated more than 20,000 litres of illegal concoction."
Ramatseba added that more than 4,800 fines were issued for liquor-related transgressions including drinking and being drunk in public.
"During these operations, the police confiscated a large amount of illegal firearms, hundreds of dangerous weapons, stolen cellular phones and laptops and a huge amount of drugs and dagga."
Ramatseba indicated that the suspects who were arrested appeared in different magistrate’s courts throughout the Province.
"The public are encouraged to report crime to their nearest police station or to the Crime Stop number 08600 10111, or anonymously SMS to 32211 or the MySAPSApp," he concluded.