Byrne Street crime crackdown
Byrne Street has been a thorn in law enforcement’s side for months, with around two cases of theft, robbery or assault reported daily.
KSEVEN undocumented persons were arrested on Friday and around 60 traffic fines issued during a clean-up operation in Byrne Street in Empangeni.
A 40-strong team, consisting of Empangeni Visible Policing members and Empangeni Detectives together with Empangeni Traffic Officers and Home Affairs officials, descended on Byrne Street as part of a strategic stop and search initiative.
Byrne Street has been a thorn in law enforcement’s side for months, with around two cases of theft, robbery or assault reported daily.
Last month Empangeni detectives, spearheaded by Captain Kalvin Vandayar, conducted a similar operation in an attempt to root out a gang of thugs who had been robbing delivery trucks offloading in the area.
It is an ongoing problem and only active policing would serve as deterrent to the criminal element that has chosen Byrne Street as their base.
‘As per Sector Policing policy we identified the specific crime threat pattern in the area and acted to stem the flow of incidents,’ said Empangeni Sector One Commander, Captain Dup Herselman.
‘Shopkeepers in the area expressed their thanks and urged police to continue operations in the CBD.’
The seven undocumented persons were taken into custody and held as per policy for the weekend to give them time to produce valid documentation.
