Major anti-crime operation in Pretoria
A major anti-crime operation kicked off in the early hours of this morning, stretching over various suburbs in the east of Pretoria.
It follows complains by residents about a spike in especially burglaries and hijackings.
The joint operation by the South African Police Service (SAPS), private security and the Tshwane Metro Police combed through several areas, searching various properties, people and vehicles.
Brooklyn Police Station spokesperson Captain Collette Weilbach says they have identified various hotspots.
"We did a sweep operation. We started in Waterkloof Ridge this morning," Weilbach says.
"So far, we did not make any arrests, but I think it is important for the community to see that the police are visible and that we are preventing crime in the area."
#PtaCleanUp Police and security searching a suspicious vehicle as part of their crime prevention operation this morning.
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) July 28, 2017
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#PtaCleanUp Police and security are now in Menlo Park at the post office. They have received several complaints about crime in this area
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) July 28, 2017
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WATCH #PtaCleanUp Police and security are now clearing an old bus stop on Main Street.
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) July 28, 2017
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Medical head of the Hi Risk Unit, Gareth Pahl, says they assisted in the search.
"We are searching for any drugs or wanted people with the police's MCD system, where they test the fingerprints to see if they are wanted anywhere in the country," Pahl says.
#PtaCleanUp Police and security are now at a abandoned house in Groenkloof. Several needles and other drug paraphernalia found.
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) July 28, 2017
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#PtaCleanUp Police and security are now in a field opposite Menlyn mall. A handful of vagrants are sleeping here. They are searched.
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) July 28, 2017
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WATCH #PtaCleanUp Police are checking the fingerprints and name of each person they search to check if they are on the wanted list.
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) July 28, 2017
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#PtaCleanUp Police, metro and security moving through the fields next to Waterkloof Heights and the N1 after several robberies.
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) July 28, 2017
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