9 October 2007
Over 230 arrests have been made since the launch of Crime Line, a groundbreaking anti-crime initiative that allows members of the public to make anonymous SMS tip-offs on suspected crimes at any time of the day.
The South African Police Service said last week that 237 arrests had been made, and stolen goods worth R14.8-million confiscated, since the initiative was launched in June by advertising and media company Primedia Limited, with full backing from the police.
Information received through Crime Line is passed on to the police, who have undertaken to act promptly on the information and give regular public feedback on the progress of the initiative.
SMS's to the number - 32211 - cost R1 each, and can be sent 24 hours a day.
- Tip-offs can also be sent electronically via the Crime Line website
The Crime Line data centre protects the privacy of those who forward information, allowing South Africans to contribute towards the fight against crime in the country without fear of being questioned by law enforcement authorities or of alerting those they report against.
"Our data capturers have received extensive training from the South African Police Service," Primedia Broadcasting's head of news and talk programming, Yusuf Abramjee, said at the launch of the initiative.
Primedia has put R50-million towards the project over the next year, with the police pledging a further R25-million.
The group, which has access to millions of South Africans through its radio stations and billboard advertising, aims to mobilise thousands of South Africans in the fight against crime, in a move hailed as a practical example of public-private partnerships in action.
Breaking
the silence
Abramjee said that feedback from security stakeholders had indicated that the public lacked a "user-friendly platform" to enable them to blow the whistle on crime at their comfort. This was where the campaign fitted in.
"We see ourselves as an independent conduit between the public and the authorities, so that the public can have the greater confidence that they can participate in the fight against crime without any reprisals or disruptions to their daily lives," he said.
The message that the campaign sought to convey was clear, he added.
"Are you suspicious about your neighbours, relatives or friends? Do you suspect they are involved in crime? This can be for a crime that has happened or is going to happen. If you have information about the criminals, let us know and we will get the police to act."
The campaign was in line with President Thabo Mbeki's call for the public to break their silence on crime, Abramjee said. "Our campaign breaks the barriers by giving people the opportunity to provide information without directly speaking to the police."
Also speaking at the launch, Safety and Security Minister Nqakula said the campaign might be linked to the new emergency police response centre due to be launched in Midrand, Johannesburg later this year.
The multi-million rand centre will be linked to satellite tracking devices in all police emergency response vehicles, allowing 10111 operators to identify the vehicles nearest to the emergency scene, and to direct the vehicles to the scene by the shortest route.
SAinfo reporter and BuaNews
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