A significant reduction of crime since 2006 was the result of a strategic clamp-down conducted by the Johannesburg metro police and the South African Police Service, metro police said on Wednesday.
Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said the joint strategy was put in place in July last year.
”We have confiscated more than 1 000 illegal firearms and reduced armed robbery within the inner-city by 63%.
”This was also because of a number of CCTV cameras which have been placed within the CBD.”
He said smash and grabs and theft out of motor vehicles were brought down to 51%.
Motor vehicle thefts were reduced by 12% and a total of 2 954 motorists were arrested for drunken driving.
”There were also 1 881 fines issued to people with illegal electrical connections. They were bypassing their electrical meters and using current they were not paying for.”
Almost 483 fines were issued for illegal advertising.
”The joint effort between both organisations have proved to be a great success. We commend the efforts by police to clamp down on crime,” Minnaar said. – Sapa