INTENSE police visibility will be evident during the festive season after National Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa launched the Duty Calls Safer Festive Season Operation on Thursday.
This time of the year sees an increase of traffic across provinces due to tourism, holidays, an increase of activities at entertainment venues, shopping and migrant workers returning to their homes.
The operation, which runs until 31 January, aims to raise awareness of the rise in petty crime and centres around six pillars focusing on aggravated robberies, border security, illegal firearms, liquor and Second Hand Goods Act enforcement, by-law enforcement and road safety enforcement.
As the effort runs through the 16 Days of Activism Campaign to end violence against women and children, there will be a concerted focus on crimes against women, children, persons with disabilities and the elderly.
Police will embark on various operations countrywide, interacting with communities, business sectors and various organised structures with the objective of intensifying the fight against crime.
This is also a period when ports of entry are busy because of the movement of persons in and out of the country.
Every festive season also affords families to reunite and come together in a spirit of goodwill, strengthening social cohesion.
However, criminal acts such as robbery, murder and hijackings stand in direct opposition to this goodwill season, thus creating a sense of fear and anxiety.
During this period, there is an increased movement of large sums of money as individuals receive their bonuses and groups (stokvel/associations) withdraw large savings as well as schools receiving admission funds.
Such transactions and financial movements, unfortunately, also provide opportunities for criminals to commit crimes like bank robberies, cash in transit heists, ATM bombings, armed robbery and theft.
‘Our experience further indicates that traditionally more shopping takes place during the festive season,’ said Mthethwa.
‘In addition as migrant workers go in and out of the country, a lot of bribery, drug and human trafficking, stock theft, vehicle smuggling, counterfeit goods, illegal immigrants, illegal firearms and ammunitions offences take place along borderlines and ports of entry.
‘While police will continue to arrest those who commit crime, a greater and growing awareness among parents/guardians to look after and protect children, must be intensified within society.
‘Let us strengthen our collective efforts against child abuse, neglect and exploitation.
‘Members of society, including children, must work together with law-enforcement agencies in combating abuse, neglect and exploitation of our children.’
