Around 100 additional police officers are expected to arrive in town next week, as Grahamstown braces for an expected influx of 50 000 people for the National Arts Festival starting on Thursday.
Around 100 additional police officers are expected to arrive in town next week, as Grahamstown braces for an expected influx of 50 000 people for the National Arts Festival starting on Thursday.
Cluster Commander of Grahamstown, Brigadier Vakala Moyake, said today, “ Approximately 100 additional police officers will be deployed daily to concentrate specifically on ensuring a safe and secure National Arts Festival for 2012. There will be high visibility operations throughout the entire area on foot and on horses and in vehicles. Normal policing will not be affected in any way. Our local community will still have their cases being investigated and, where applicable, taken to court.”
Among the deployments will be members from specialised units, including the Mounted Unit, the Air Wing, the K9 Unit, Explosives and Commercial Crime. Grahamstown Police spokesperson Captain Mali Govender said the SAPS would be working closely with other government departments and local stakeholders, including the departments of Sports Recreation Arts and Culture, Social Development, Home Affairs, Local Government, Justice, provincial and local traffic, fire, local security companies and Makana Municipality.
Govender said there would be a special focus on drunk driving, selling of stolen property and counterfeit items and drug-related offences. Arrangements have been made with the Department of Justice and the National Prosecuting Authority to prioritise 'Festival crimes'.
Brigadier Moyake said in order to make it easier for visitors to report any serious incidents, reporting points would be placed at Church Square, the Monument, High Street, Fiddlers' Green and The Great Field at Rhodes University.
The most common crimes we have recorded at previous festivals are petty thefts, theft out of motor vehicles, theft of motor vehicles and break-ins, Govender said.
