The Cape Town CBD, often associated with crimes like pick pocketing, smash and grabs and personal robbery, has experienced an unprecedented drop in crime since the lockdown first began.
According to CCID Security Manager Mo Hendricks speaking to IOL, only 35 crimes have been recorded in the area since March 27.
A series of opportunistic crimes have taken place since the lockdown was instated but overall the area’s crime has dipped by as much as 76% according to Hendricks.
Compared to the same time last year, the streets of the Cape CBD have been relatively peaceful. Last year over the same period, 22 robberies, 20 cases of public fighting and 60 cases of theft out of a motor vehicle were reported. This year only two robberies, one theft from a motor vehicle and four cases of public fighting have been reported within the same time frame.
However, CCID has not left their posts during the lockdown. Operating as an essential service, 300 Public Safety Officers are on duty around the clock.
The team has been working on a strategy that allows for high visibility on the streets to ensure better cooperation with police and City Law Enforcement.
Most of the crimes that have occurred during the lockdown period have been sporadic but the CCID along with other cooperating law enforcement teams have been able to catch criminals right away.
