How community policing is reshaping crime rates in Cape Town Central

Cape Town Central police station celebrated its reduction in community-reported serious crime despite having the highest reported cases in the country. 

Speaking at the last monthly community police forum (CPF) meeting for 2025 on Thursday, December 4, station commander Brigadier Gerda van Niekerk attributed this success to partnership policing with the CPF, the public, neighbourhood, and block watches.

The crime statistics released on Friday, November 28, revealed significant challenges for Cape Town Central police, particularly in serious community-reported crimes and property-related offenses.

The precinct ranked first in the country and province for 17 community-reported serious crimes, with 2,605 cases in the first quarter, between April and June, and 2 512 in the second quarter, between July and September.

The station also topped the country and province's crime lists for property-related crime, with 629 cases reported in the first quarter and then 574 in the second quarter. 

All thefts not mentioned elsewhere had 795 cases reported by June and 747 cases by September.

Common robbery had 340 cases in the first quarter and 307 in the second quarter.

Theft out of or from a motor vehicle had 516 cases reported in the first quarter and 469 cases in the second quarter. 

Commercial crime also remained a concern, ranking first in the province in both quarters.

The CPF chairman, Marc Truss, urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity to the police.

Brigadier Van Niekerk said that while the precinct is large, the community continues to report crime.

She also announced the conviction of a robber from Signal Hill, who received a ten-year prison sentence

"Furthermore, Cape Town Central SAPS ranks second nationally for arrests, demonstrating strong partnership efforts," said Brigadier Van Niekerk.

She also confirmed that the Cape Town Central police precinct, which includes parts of Bo-kaap District Six, Greenpoint, the Foreshore, Gardens and Devils Peak, does not have a gang problem.

"Gangsters come hide here. People are not speaking out as to who is in the community. As long as family members and friends are going to keep quiet that gangsters are hiding out in the community, we are not going to make a difference," she said. 

Despite the positive statistics, the Brigadier urged the community to assist in addressing recent gang-related incidents by anonymously reporting information, as gangsters are hiding out in the city.

Mr Truss emphasised the need for continued vigilance as the festive "silly season" approaches.

He encouraged citizens to look out for one another and visitors.

Meanwhile, the integrated policing approach for the recent festive light switch-on on Sunday, November 30, in the city centre was lauded as a success, with only one crime incident reported, with 100,000 attendees.

The CPF also awarded a recruit at the police station, Constable Marizelle Bolteney, for arresting 71 people since being appointed in September. 

Sergeant Lwandile Msindo, from the detectives unit, was also recognised for business robbery incidents that they have had for several weeks, based on his good investigation work, which led to some arrests.

Each of them received a R500 grocery shopping voucher, sponsored by the CPF.

Mr Truss said it was the CPF's way of saying thank you to those in and out of uniform, members of the public, or "a granny sitting on a rocking chair around the corner" trying to keep the community safe.