City Police claim drop in crime

CRIME in Windhoek was contained during 2011, and fewer car accidents were recorded in the city over the 2011/2012 festive season in comparison to the previous year.

Speaking at a media briefing on the operations carried out by the Windhoek City Police over the 2011/2012 festive season, Senior Superintendent Gerry Shikesho said when compared to 2010, there was a considerable reduction of crime in 2011.Shikesho said the City Police identified housebreakings, robberies, car theft, theft out of cars, theft and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm as crimes of concern.According to data provided by the City Police, figures for 2011 show a 39 per cent reduction in all these types of crime when compared to 2010.The biggest drop was in car theft, where a 64 per cent reduction was achieved, as only 122 cases of car theft were reported in 2011 compared to 337 in 2010. This was followed by a 53 per cent reduction in theft out of cars, and a 45 per cent reduction in robberies and burglaries.’While these results may suggest an improvement in the containment of crime, the City Police are still committed to strive towards creating an environment free of crime and disorder,’ Shikesho said.Shikesho said adespite the encouraging statistics, certain crimes such as theft out of cars, theft from employers, burglaries and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm remain a challenge.Shikesho said the City Police are available to advise business owners how to beef up their security, and advised motorists to ensure that their car doors are locked. Shikesho said this is currently the best way to combat theft from cars.City Police deputy chief of traffic management Adam Eiseb was also present at the briefing, and said that over the 2011/2012 festive period, a total of 9 359 traffic infringements were reported in Windhoek.Eiseb said just over 3 000 drivers were fined for traffic violations on city roads, with more than 5 000 charges recorded for speeding. Sixty motorists were caught for drunk driving while 336 motorists were caught driving without a valid driving licence.A total of 588 car accidents were recorded in Windhoek over the last festive season, in which six people lost their lives. Of these, two were drivers, one was a passenger and three were pedestrians.’In our analysis most of these accidents were a direct result of driver error resulting from reckless and inconsiderate driving,’ Eiseb said.During the 2010/2011 festive season 660 accidents were recorded.Shikesho said in light of recent charges laid against some members of the City Police, the City Police remain ‘committed to serving the residents of Windhoek with the highest ethical standards, thus corrupt or unethical behaviour is neither welcomed nor condoned within its structure.’’Against this background, City Police will ensure that officers who do not comply with the ethical standards set are handled according to the rules and regulations,’ Shikesho said.