East London moves cops into the port

LEONARD NEILL EAST LONDON harbour now has its own police station. It has taken 10 years of planning to get the facility up and running. Previously port officials had to rely on the normal central city police force to handle any crime . Now a staff of 25 - three of them women as well as a trio of experienced divers - are situated in what was previously an empty restaurant at Latimers Landing in the harbour. “We want all those people flocking into the country for the 2010 Soccer World Cup to see we are serious about combating crime,” said East London Border Police divisional commissioner Arno Lamoer at the recent official opening. “We are also here to watch over the build-up of vessels that will be calling in the port with the increased export drive due to start up in a year or two.” The unit consists of four vessels, two rubber ducks and two patrol boats. One of the patrol boats is capable of battling rough seas at 27 knots per hour, and will cover the coastal area from Port Alfred to Port Edward on the southern tip of the KwazuluNatal coast. The premises underwent a R3,5-million refurbishment to meet police needs.