Crooks switch from City Deep to easier targets

ALAN PEAT THE INLAND harbour at City Deep has now been almost totally crime-free for the past 18 months, according to Isabel Louw, MD of Roadwing, and one of the initiators of the community policing project in the depot area. “It’s testimony to the success of this programme,” she said. “We went from an ever increasing crime-wave in 1995, through a slow-down period, to this almost crime-free record in recent times. “We still have our company risk managers in place, and the regular monthly meetings with the police unit handling this area. But there’s little to report at these meetings - proof of the effectiveness of the programme.” Not that Louw feels that their efforts have shut down container theft around the country - but that the criminal syndicates have shifted their focus to other soft-spots around the nation. “It’s the burglar bar principle,” she said. “If you put up bars, then the burglars will try to break into a neighbour’s which has open windows.” The crime prevention programme at City Deep also has another lesson to teach, Louw added. “This proves the value of full private sector/police co-operation,” she said. “Our experience in working with the police unit for the City Deep area shows just how invaluable this co-operation can be, and just how effective the police can be when given suitable support from the industries they are there to protect.”