Firearms stolen from ECape police station
Police are investigating the theft of firearms during a break-in at the Peddie police station in the Eastern Cape.
Provincial police spokesperson, Captain Khaya Tonjeni says the break-in was reported in Tuesday morning.
"It was reported that access to the strong room of the station was gained through the ceiling and firearms were found to be missing," says Tonjeni.
Tonjeni says it is still a crime scene.
"A full audit of firearms allocated to the station for operational use and firearms kept for exhibit purposes is in progress. Only after this has been completed will we be able to confirm the number of firearms stolen," says Tonjeni.
According to an earlier report, as many as 30 firearms, including 9mm pistols, were stolen.
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DA Eastern Cape spokesperson on Safety and Security, Bobby Stevenson, says the breach of security at a police station is a serious matter.
He says police must pull out all the stops to find the guns.
"This is a major breach of security and it is quite damning in respect that is has happened in a police station where one expects firearms to be, at least, safe," says Stevenson.
Stevenson says stolen firearms are utilised in murders and in armed robberies.
"The fact that these are no in circulation means it is going to contribute to a higher crime rate in those areas," says Stevenson.