Latest crime statistics show a double-digit rise

Blue Security has released crime statistics showing a double-digit rise in the number of crimes reported to the company’s control centre in Durban during December with a notable increase in serious and violent crimes compared to the same period in 2015.
Blue Security operations manager Brian Jackson said the company had noted the worrying trend which was significant even when taking growth into account. We are working close with various community groups to fight the increase in crime. Crimes were reported across the city from Umhlanga, Phoenix and Durban North to Chatsworth, Amanzimtoti, Berea, Glenwood, Westville and the Highway and Upper Highway areas.
According to the statistics released by the company this week the number of incidents reported for the period rose 18% from 493 to 606 incidents ranging from crimes such as attempted housebreaking, vandalism and theft to housebreaking, hijacking and armed robbery.
“The number of hijackings remained unchanged but armed robberies at residential properties rose 62% and armed robberies at business premises increased by 58%,” Jackson said.
“Residential housebreakings increased by 18% but business burglaries declined 26%.”
Jackson said an analysis of the company’s crime statistics showed that almost 20% of crimes reported in December were committed on a Wednesday, followed by 18% on a Friday and 16% on a Thursday, while just under 9% were committed on a Monday, when criminals were least likely to strike. He said the pattern was completely different to the same period last year when criminals were most likely to strike on a Wednesday (almost 18%), followed by a Monday (16%) and a Thursday (almost 16%) with Friday (10%) being the quietest day for the company’s control centre and its armed response team on the ground.