More than 500 arrests made by LEAP officers in August

The Western Cape’s Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officers made more than 500 arrests for the first 21 days in August 2022

LEAP officers work alongside other law enforcement agencies, such as City of Cape Town Law Enforcement Agencies, Metro police and SAPS.

LEAP officers stem from the Western Cape Government’s Safety Plan, which was initiated in September 2019, to address the high murder rate in the province. The Western Cape aims to reduce the murder rate by 50% by 2029.

Officers are deployed in crime hotspot areas in the metro, including, Delft, Gugulethu, Harare, Khayelitsha (Site B policing precinct), Kraaifontein, Mfuleni, Mitchells Plain, Nyanga, Philippi East, and Samora Machel. Other high crime areas in which they are deployed are Atlantis, Bishop Lavis and Hanover Park, along with Lavender Hill, Steenberg and Grassy Park.

Officers between the 1 – 21 August 2022, arrested 515 suspects for various crimes, whereby 7 were for the possession of an illegal firearm, 10 for the possession of illegal ammunition, 6 for the possession of an imitation firearm, 329 for the possession of drugs and 48 for the possession of dangerous weapons. Confiscations and all other arrests occurred in the various areas where LEAP is deployed.

In this same time period, LEAP officers have amongst others searched 47 480 persons and conducted 3 316 patrols in hotspot areas.

“By removing and confiscating these items, LEAP is ensuring that there are fewer causes of murder. LEAP is stepping up a lot more in their operations and functions, as National Government continues to fail SAPS officers on the ground. SAPS officers are constantly expressing their gratitude for LEAP, as it’s helping them to be more visible and effective in their crime fighting efforts. As a caring government, we want to ensure our residents live in safer environments and with dignity,” said Western Cape’s Police Oversight & Community Safety MEC, Reagen Allen.

Allen has again called for the devolution of police in the province.

“LEAP is operational proof why SAPS should immediately be devolved to a capable province and government such as ours. In fact, the 8,2% reduction in the murder rate for the 1st quarter of the 2022/23 financial year, at SAPS stations where LEAP is deployed, strengthens this. Our governance record at our schools, hospitals and so many other facilities under the governance of the Western Cape, speak for itself. Under us, SAPS will once again become a service that residents trust wholeheartedly.”

“LEAP would never be able to combat crime by themselves and besides working with SAPS and other law enforcement agencies including the City of Cape Town, the ears and eyes of the broader community are vital if we’re to create safer communities. I’d therefore like to urge all sectors of society to join us in the fight for a safer Western Cape,” added Allen.

 

Done By: Mitchum George