Attacks on tourists need to be addressed

SENIOR Police officers yesterday met with representatives of the tourism sector to discuss crime prevention aimed at reducing attacks on tourists in Windhoek and the Khomas Region in particular.

No statistics were available for 2006, but owners of guesthouses and small hotels mentioned several robberies involving foreign tourists while they were walking in the streets of Windhoek or at the Hofmeyr walking trail off Uhland Street. Others were robbed in their hotel rooms or had their belongings stolen from rental cars or tour buses while visiting sightseeing spots.”Tourism is an important sector in the economy and tourists should feel at home in Namibia and in Windhoek in particular,” said Chief Inspector Derek Brune, who chaired the meeting.”We are considering establishing a joint forum, either formally or informally, in the Khomas Region between Police and representatives of the tourism industry,” Brune added.He told the meeting that a similar forum had been established with private security companies.”There are approximately 70 security companies active in Windhoek where some 22 000 private security guards are employed; they are an important factor complementing efforts to prevent crime,” Chief Inspector Brune said.Gitta Paetzold of the Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN) requested contact lists of available Police officers of both NamPol and the City Police to report crimes involving tourists.Windhoek City Police chief Abraham Kanime proposed that such cases should be given special preference.Corruption and attempted bribery were also discussed.Apparently some Police officers at roadblocks collected “spot fines” of N$300 from tourists without issuing receipts.The 30 people who attended the meeting decided to network more closely with the Namibian Police and City Police.Others were robbed in their hotel rooms or had their belongings stolen from rental cars or tour buses while visiting sightseeing spots.”Tourism is an important sector in the economy and tourists should feel at home in Namibia and in Windhoek in particular,” said Chief Inspector Derek Brune, who chaired the meeting.”We are considering establishing a joint forum, either formally or informally, in the Khomas Region between Police and representatives of the tourism industry,” Brune added.He told the meeting that a similar forum had been established with private security companies.”There are approximately 70 security companies active in Windhoek where some 22 000 private security guards are employed; they are an important factor complementing efforts to prevent crime,” Chief Inspector Brune said.Gitta Paetzold of the Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN) requested contact lists of available Police officers of both NamPol and the City Police to report crimes involving tourists.Windhoek City Police chief Abraham Kanime proposed that such cases should be given special preference.Corruption and attempted bribery were also discussed.Apparently some Police officers at roadblocks collected “spot fines” of N$300 from tourists without issuing receipts.The 30 people who attended the meeting decided to network more closely with the Namibian Police and City Police.