With the curtain coming down on the festive season police in Camps Bay and Sea Point say theft on beaches and out of motor vehicles were some of the most common crimes during the holiday season.
Capt Keith Chandler, Camps Bay Police Station Commander, says more than 70 theft cases were reported.
“We had 72 theft cases reported. Of these, the majority were cellphones that were stolen from beachgoers.”
Chandler says over the peak days, which is between 16 December to 2 January, more than 180 000 people flocked to Maiden’s Cove, Clifton, Camps Bay, and other popular beaches along this stretch of the coast.
“We had 35 drunk drivers over those peak days and fines amounting to R440 000 were issued for various offences. Over 1 000 bottles of alcohol were confiscated. Our partners from law enforcement, Metro Police, traffic, security forces and lifeguards made it a pleasure to be a part of the festive season. The City’s social development team was a God send with their identity wristbands for lost children.”
Chandler adds that two drownings were reported, unfortunately, both incidents happened in undesignated swimming areas.
Capt Cyril Dicks, Corporate Communication Head for Sea Point police, says they had a partnership safety plan in place when the festive season started.
Dicks says that compared to the past two years; they experienced a busy festive season.
“The huge influx of visitors and holidaymakers that were on holiday in the area, made this a busy time in comparison with the last two years. During this time Sea Point police and the other law enforcement partners, which included security companies, felt the pressure but kept serious and violent crimes at bay.”
Dicks says multiple cases of theft and robberies were reported. “Theft out of motor vehicle shown an increase in certain areas like Sea Point Main Road. In the Mouille Point area, it was found that numerous vehicles had valuables left inside the vehicle and this attracted criminal elements to break into vehicles.
“Robberies have shown an increase in the Bantry Bay area as well as the Sea Point Promenade where we received complaints and cases of necklace snatching from persons enjoying the outdoors and seaside walk.”
Dicks cautioned visitors to be alert. “The community is again requested to be aware of their surroundings when frequenting the Sea Point Promenade as well as being reminded not to leave any valuables in their vehicles when parked in the area.”
The Western Cape Government’s (WCGs) Tourism Safety Officers (TSOs), which were deployed to curb opportunistic crime at popular tourist attractions within the Cape Town CBD, made a significant contribution to keeping visitors safe at the various holiday sites.
The 19 TSOs, who commenced their operations on Thursday 1 December, are working closely with the South African National Parks (SANParks) Field Rangers (“Increased boots on the ground to curb petty crimes in tourism hotspots”, People’s Post, 29 November 2022).
During December the TSOs assisted with nine rescues where tourists were injured while on their walks.
The officers are currently operating at various sites, including Lion’s Head, Platteklip Gorge, Signal Hill, Devils Peak, Deer Park, Rhodes Memorial Dam and Noon Gun, while also assisting at the Newlands and Oudekraal picnic sites.
Reagen Allen, Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, says: “The merely increased visibility of these officers ensured that safety could be achieved. In addition, we wanted to create an employment opportunity for our Chrysalis graduates, which contributes to overall safety in Cape Town and our province. I’m particularly encouraged to note that the impeccable level of fitness, given that these are Chrysalis graduates, has been an advantage when the TSOs had to navigate the mountain slopes.”
To date, the TSO programme has had a budget spend of over R 423 000. The officers are contracted until the end of next month (February).
Mireille Wenger, Western Cape Minister for Finance and Economic Opportunities, says: “These officers make sure that visitors, be they locals, domestic or international, are able to experience this amazing city safely. This is an important task and helps to ensure that they come back again and again and contribute to moving beyond tourism recovery, to growth and on to significant expansion that can create even more jobs for the citizens of the Western Cape.”
