The Northern Cape police executed high-density operations in hot-spot areas across the Province to address contact crimes such as murder and rape, as well as robbery and housebreaking.

IN AN EFFORT to combat contact crimes such as murder and rape, as well as robbery and housebreaking, the Northern Cape police intensified their operations.

According to provincial police spokesperson Colonel Cherelle Ehlers, these high-density law enforcement actions took place in hot-spot areas across the Province, resulting in the arrest of over 200 suspects between July 1 to 7.

Detectives traced and apprehended 112 wanted suspects for serious offences, including murder, rape and assault GBH, while multi-disciplinary teams arrested 110 individuals involved in crimes such as drug dealing, illegal liquor sales, robbery, burglary and theft of motor vehicle.

The operations included roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints and stop-and-search procedures, with a total of 2,561 persons and 1,369 vehicles inspected.

Compliance inspections were also conducted at liquor premises, firearm dealerships, second-hand goods dealers, scrapyards and informal businesses.

In the process, five unlicensed liquor outlets were closed, and a significant amount of alcohol, dangerous weapons, and drugs (including dagga, tik and mandrax tablets) were confiscated.

Community engagement efforts focused on preventing domestic violence, enhancing awareness, and addressing rural safety, fraud, card scams, housebreaking and theft. The awareness efforts featured door-to-door visits, pamphlet distribution at shopping centres and stakeholder meetings.

Ehlers said that these disruptive actions will persist to tackle priority crimes in hot-spot areas throughout the Province, adding that community co-operation remains crucial in bringing perpetrators to justice.