The South African Police Service’s Festive Season safety campaign, “Extending our reach through blue light visibility”, was realised in the Northern Cape, as Upington hosted the 8th day of the Safer Festive Season Inspection Tour.
The countrywide assessment tour saw Police Minister General Bheki Cele together with Deputy Minister of Police, Cassel Mathale and National Police Commissioner General Khehla Sitole and his management team assess Safer Festive Season plans put in place, to keep crime at a minimal this holiday season.
The SAPS Safer Festive Season operational plan rests on six pillars namely;
➡️Crimes against women and children
➡️ Aggrieved robberies
➡️Boarder security
➡️By-law enforcement
➡️Road Safety
➡️Firearm Control, Liquor, second hand Goods
With only three days to go before Christmas Day, the Police Ministry has called for extra vigilance by shoppers and holiday makers who will be flocking to malls and shopping centres to complete their Christmas shopping.
Over and above this call, members of the South African Police Service have also been directed to approach this period with caution and agility as the peak holiday season is characterised by malls and shopping centres abuzz with shoppers .
This time is also often translated to increased disposable cash.
While addressing members of the SAPS in Upington, Minister Cele has called on police to outsmart criminals who plan to ruin Christmas.
“Outsmarting criminals will require a lot of work, so use your Intelligence collection wisely and the increased deployment of personnel and police visibility must be heightened. I am glad that I have seen the respective operational plans by provinces to curtail aggravated robberies such as Cash- In- transit heists, car-jackings as well as home and business robberies. Now it’s about enforcing the law and being a step ahead of anyone who even thinks of ruining Christmas.”
The _ Safer Festive Season Inspection Tour_ also saw some Upington residents have an ear of the police top brass as they interacted with residents during a walk-about in the area. Minister Cele cautioned this community about some of the crime trends prevalent during the festive season.
“Yes, police are out in full force and are going to do their very best to protect you but you as communities need to also play your part. Don’t allow yourself to be easy targets for criminals. These thugs know you have extra cash and you are excited to be off work and with your loved ones – but don’t let that excitement end in disappointment. Be proactive in your safety and don’t be sitting ducks,” Cele concluded.
The last leg of the Safer Festive Season Inspection Tour heads to the KwaZulu- Natal province on Thursday.