CAPE TOWN, December 29 (ANA) – With just two days to go until the end of 2016 police are preparing for New Year’s celebrations, warning they will come down hard on criminals.
In a statement released on Thursday, police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Lungelo Dlamini said all law enforcement agencies were mobilising all their resources and would be out in full force on December 31.
He warned that strong action would be taken against illegal activities often associated with New Year’s celebrations, such as drunk driving and other traffic violations, drug trafficking and the illegal sale of liquor.
Undercover police would be on the beat too in a bid to identify people engaging in illegal activities, the statement added.
“Police are also appealing to those who will be celebrating at their homes to make sure that their gates, doors and vehicles are locked to discourage criminal activities”.
The statement also had some tips for members of the public. It warned people against accepting drinks from strangers, saying they might be spiked with intoxicating substances with the aim of taking advantage of intoxicated victims.
It also said that women should try to avoid walking alone especially in the early hours of the morning as they might become the victims of crime including sexual assault.
Noting that hoax calls to the 10111 emergency call centre usually peaked on New Year’s Eve, Dlamini urged people to be patient when asked by call centre agents to provide specific details about their emergencies.
The statement advised people against neglecting children especially during celebrations near to rivers and dams to avoid children going missing or even drowning.
Also, it warned, people should remember that “children easily become the victims of crimes including sexual assaults, kidnapping and murder”.
– African News Agency (ANA)
