Over 200 arrested in inner city

About 234 people have been arrested over a 48-hour period in the inner city, Johannesburg police said on Thursday.

“All these people were arrested in Hillbrow, Berea and Joubert Park as part of our accelerated crime combat operations, to maintain a safe environment as we are preparing for the new year celebrations,” said police spokesperson Captain Bhekizizwe Mavundla.

Crimes committed included assault, hijacking, robbery, attempted murder, housebreaking and theft.

Others arrested were wanted criminals.

Mavundla said the police were monitoring behaviour in specific residential buildings where some residents were reported to have been throwing bottles.

“We are also monitoring the effective control of liquor outlets as agreed upon by police management in Hillbrow, the Community Policing Forum and liquor traders, that closing time on December 31 would be 6pm,” he said. - Sapa