A hard well-known crime hot spot in Richwood was the venue for a neighbourhood watch meeting held on Wednesday (25 October), attended by JP Smith, Mayco member for safety and security.
The specific area in Richwood referred to as the “island” is known for robberies.
A fence was erected in recent years along the stretch of vacant land in a bid to combat crime. Over the years people who use the area as a thoroughfare to get to or from Richwood had fallen victims of robberies, and houses along Woodlands Drive were also targeted by thieves.
Smith visited the area and met with members from the Richwood Neighbourhood Watch (RNW) after being made aware of the crime situation.
“The community raised concerns about increased house breakings and muggings in the area.
“They also raised the under resourcing of Bothasig police,” he said.
Smith added that he attempts to join as many neighbourhood watches on patrol as possible, to get an insight into the challenges they face in their communities.
The N7 highway a crime hot spot
Glenn Marais, RNW chair, said crime in the area is of a major concern. The vacant land runs parallel to the N7 highway and separates Richwood from nearby Dunoon.
“We discussed the N7 crime and the shooting of the lady recently, the robberies taking place at the turnstile in Richwood, as well as the ones taking place near the gravel road that runs behind the De Zicht complex,” Marais said.
Both areas have seen an increase in robberies of late, said Marais.
“It is mostly either people going to or from work that are robbed by a group of three men. Firearms were used in some instances, and the shooting on the N7 recently proves these guys will not hesitate to shoot,” Marais said.
A female motorist was attacked during an apparent attempted hijacking after her vehicle had broken down on Monday 9 October. She was transported to hospital by ER24 and the case is being investigated by the Bothasig police.
Smith said a lot of patrols are conducted along the N7.
“There is daily focussed traffic deployment on the N7, this was an intervention by our senior staff, and we have seen a decrease in incidents on that stretch. Our Highway Patrol Unit also patrols the N7 but crime prevention is still the mandate of the police and we urgently need more police resources on all major roads across the metro,” he said.
Dark corners also a crime concern
Marais said visibility in crime hot spots is another matter raised.
“We discussed the lighting for the area known to us as the ‘island’. The current lights are not working due to cable theft.
“Two containers on the other side of the N7 is also an area where criminals hang out or hide, and a request was made to have these removed.”
Marais said the minister took note of all their concerns, and indicated that he would follow up on these.
“As a neighbourhood watch we are very grateful that he took time out from his busy schedule to visit Richwood and our neighbourhood watch and we thank him for that,” Marais said.
