Erongo reports drop in festive crime

Erongo reports drop in festive crimeCommissioner Andreas Nelumbu attributed the decrease to increased deployment and visibility by the police. 49 people arrested for drunk driving Police at the coast had a relatively quiet festive season, the regional police commander, Commissioner Andreas Nelumbu, told a media conference yesterday.

There was a slight increase in the number of rape cases reported. Nine cases were reported compared to the seven rapes reported last year and five the previous year.

Sixty-one cases of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm were reported, compared to 49 last year and 57 the year before.

Seventeen drug-related arrests were made, compared to only five in 2015/16.

Twelve robbery cases were reported, compared to 14 in the previous festive season.

Fourteen cases of theft out of a motor vehicle were reported - four less than in 2015/16.

Only one drowning was reported, with about 25 near-drownings.

The police issued 1 035 traffic summonses, totalling N$1.1 million, during December. In the previous year 1 485 summonses were issued.

Forty-nine people were arrested for drunk driving - seven more than the previous year.

Fewer accidents were reported too - 221 compared to 231 in 2015/16 and 334 in 2014/15.

Nine people were seriously injured in car crashes this festive season, compared to 11 in 2015/16 and 20 in 2014/15.

Three people were killed in crashes, which was an improvement on last year's eight deaths and the 15 that occurred in the 2014/15 holiday season.

“The deployment of officers in the area, and the education the public had received, meant that drivers were driving more carefully,” Nelumbu said.



LEANDREA LOUW