Crime in Cape Town city centre drops by 73% during lockdown

Echoing national trends, crime rates in Cape Town have seen a massive drop since lockdown began on 27 March.

Recent statistics released by the Cape Town Central City Improvement District’s (CCID) Safety and Security department have revealed a respite in criminal activity.

Having reached a new record low, the City’s diminishing crime rate has been has been hailed as a sign of cooperative success for local law enforcement agencies, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and CCID patrollers.

Crime in Cape Town during lockdown

According to CCID Safety and Security manager, Mo Hendricks, only 94 crime incidents were reported from 26 March 2020 to 15 May 2020, compared with 340 during the same period in 2019.

Cases of ATM fraud and general theft, which are usually rife in Cape Town’s city centre, have not been reported since lockdown began. The CCID’s report noted the drastic decrease in contact crimes as follows:

• Five robberies (78 % lower than 2019)
• Five cases of theft out of motor vehicle (92 % lower than 2019)
• 11 cases of people fighting in public (70 % lower than 2019)

As a an authorised essential service, the CCID has continued to operate at full capacity during lockdown, putting more than 300 Public Safety Officers on the streets of Cape Town since the start of lockdown. Hendricks elaborated on the Safety and Security department’s strategic readjustment, which focused more intensely on protecting people, property and possessions, saying:

“Our strategy has proved to be very successful as, working closely with our partners SAPS and the City’s Law Enforcement agency, we have managed to maintain a strong security presence and been able to effectively enforce the lockdown regulations as stipulated in the National Disaster Act.”

CCID patrollers help stub out cigarette dealers

The prohibition of tobacco products during lockdown has given rise to a massive increase in illicit dealings and black-market trade. High profile arrests were made in the City as a result of the illicit cigarette trade. A statement issued by the CCID’s Safety and Security department noted:

“Cigarettes were also at the centre of the successful arrest of two armed robbers who held up a CBD convenience store owner and made off with goods including three bags full of cartons of cigarettes worth tens of thousands of Rands.”

As national government looks to begin lightening lockdown restrictions in preparation for a move to Level 3, the CCID confirmed that it would be engaging with stakeholders and increasing its services with regards to the following:

• Routine checking of residential complexes;
• Routine commercial building checks to ensure doors and windows are secured;
• Rapid response to building alarm activations received via the CCID control centre or on the ground via PSOs.
• A courtesy safety escort service to individuals who feel unsafe walking in the CBD;
• Providing businesses (which are trading) with security when they open or lock up their premises.