K-9 and Rural Safety Units winning in fight against crime, in bid to halve murder rate

The Swartland and Overstrand K-9 and Rural Safety Units are continuing to prove their worth in their respective municipal areas, according to the Western Cape government.

Just yesterday – one person was arrested in Betty’s Bay for being in possession of a stolen vehicle (stolen 21 June), thanks to the Overstrand Units with the assistance of the South African Police Service (SAPS).

And on the same day an integrated search operation in Mooreesburg led to the arrest of three suspects – two of whom were in possession of mandrax, and the other in possession of copper.

Minister Reagen Allen said: “Criminals in these and other non-metro towns are starting to realise that their hiding places are diminishing.”

The units are aimed at curbing crime and keeping residents safe, and are part of a greater mission to halve the murder rate within six years.

Minister Allen said collaboration is playing a “critical role in fighting crime”, and “if we are to be successful in not only combatting crime, but also reducing the murder rate by 50% by 2029, we all have to pull in the same direction.”

Community members are urged to work together with the various agencies, neighbourhood watches and community policing forums.