Push-back on crime as goods recovered

Police doing stellar job in curbing crime, says community forum

THE recovery of a few stolen TV sets might be a small consolation, but Chatsworth community leaders and policing forums are happy to celebrate any pushback on crime.

Bayview police recovered six flatscreen TVS last month and are waiting for the owners to reclaim them.

Police spokesperson Captain Nqobile Gwala said the Bayview’s Crime Prevention unit arrested a 38-yearold man for being in possession of suspected stolen property.

According to police crime statistics released this year, 788 burglaries at residential properties and 101 home robberies were reported in Chatsworth.

Chairman of the Chatsworth Community Policing Forum, Jakes Singh, said while crimes like murder, house robbery and carjacking were on the decline in Chatsworth, “home invasion is always our worry”.

He lauded the police for their work in curbing crime.

“The police are on the ball. Since crime statistics were released a few months back, it has not increased. We always encourage people to follow safety tips like informing their neighbour and street patrollers if they aren’t going to be around so they can keep an eye out.”

Deputy chairman of the Bayview Community Policing Forum, Rocky Naidoo said while police had been making breakthroughs in Chatsworth, the fact that an arrest was made but the TVS owners could not be traced, was worrying.

“It shows people are not reporting all house break-ins or other forms of crime. Criminals also have a modus operandi that they use where they constantly change goal posts all the time. So they would operate at point A today and after a few weeks move to point B. Even with a lack of manpower, police have been proactive in the community with regards to crime.”

Gwala said residents should contact Warrant Officer Rajen Naidoo on 031 405 7229 or email on Naidoorajendran@saps.gov.za to claim ownership of the recovered goods.