77.5 per cent increase in carjacking since 2011
The crime statistics on vehicle crime has shown a significant increase nationally over the past year.
According to Ryno Schutte, managing director Pro-Active SA, the increase in the number of carjacking is the worst over the past 12 years with the lowest being 9417 in 2011/2012.
“There has been a steady increase of 14 per cent year on year to date since 2012/2013. The total increase since 2011/2012 is a staggering 77.5,” said Schutte.
“We once again saw a 14.48 per cent increase in carjacking over the past financial year. This was expected after the release of the crime statistics in March.
When you look at the crime statistics over the nine months released it indicated that there will be around 17 000 carjacking during the 2016/2017 period which was confirmed in the latest crime statistics.
“Though there has been a decrease in theft of motor vehicle/motorcycle, vehicle crime in general has increased drastically and vehicle owners are at a greater risk.”
He said the decrease of a mere 0.93 per cent (502) of incidents regarding in theft of motor vehicle and motorcycle does not justify the increase of 14.48 per cent (2 115) of carjacking.
“This places the community at greater risk due to firearms being used in these forms of crime.
“Greater vigilance and risk awareness pertaining to vehicle crime is required and extra communication through the local CPF, Neighbourhood Watches and security service providers to the community and clients.”
He said the increase in residential robberies of 7.32 per cent (1532) also needs to be taken into consideration, as this indicated that there are more firearms involved in robberies in general.
