A better Gauteng is in the making The Gauteng Aggravated Robbery Strategy Institute for Security Studies 8 October 2009

A better Gauteng is in the making CONTENT OF THE PRESENTATION  The challenge & nature of aggravated robbery in Gauteng.  The background to the strategy.  The Gauteng Aggravated Robbery Strategy.  Challenges and successes.

A better Gauteng is in the making The challenge of aggravated robbery in Gauteng  Aggravated robbery refers to a criminal incident where a perpetrator uses the direct threat of violence against a victim, typically with a firearm, to steal their valuables.  During 2008/09 a total of cases were recorded in Gauteng – an average of 140 per day.  Gauteng records 42% of all cases recorded in South Africa.  With a victimisation rate of 487 cases per people, Gauteng residents are almost twice as likely to fall victim than the average South African resident.

A better Gauteng is in the making The sub-categories of aggravated robbery CategoryNumber in 08/09 % change 07/08 % change 03/04 Street robbery (55%) %- 39.7% Residential robbery8 122 (16%) 11% 51.1% Vehicle hijacking7 626 (15%) 2.1%- 14.2% Business robbery6 216 (12%) 21.9%166.2% Truck hijacking891 (2%) 18.2% 90.8% Cash-in-Transit heists126 (0.2%) 5.9% 59.5% Bank robbery52 (0.1%) % 225% Total (100%) - 0.2%- 19.7%

A better Gauteng is in the making Trio robbery trend 2002/03 to 2008/09

A better Gauteng is in the making The nature of aggravated robbery  CIT heists, bank robberies & some Trio robberies tend to be committed by relatively small number of highly organised groups.  Most Trio robberies committed by groups of 2 or 3 people.  Perpetrators are likely to have committed other crimes such as street robbery and ‘graduate’ to Trio crimes due to the economic incentives involved.  Difficult crimes to police as perpetrators have many ‘targets’ to choose from & carefully plan their attacks.  Growth in Trio crimes partly as a result of low chance of being arrested and convicted.  There are a limited number of perpetrators who are linked to networks & they always leave evidence behind.

A better Gauteng is in the making Background to the Strategy  Lessons from Operation Iron Fist – 2006 ● Shortcomings of typical visible policing tactics. ● Shortcomings of station led policing.  Research into robbery reduction – 2007 ● Robberies decrease with an increase in the arrest and incarceration of perpetrators. ● Intelligence & information analysis is key. ● Specialised investigation units are needed. ● Integrated multi-agency approaches work best.

A better Gauteng is in the making The Gauteng Aggravated Robbery Strategy  The strategy was develop jointly by the Department of Community Safety and the Gauteng SAPS in  The strategy was canvassed with the NPA and other law enforcement agencies.  The key objective of the strategy was to substantially increase the arrest, prosecution and conviction rates of the direct perpetrators & those in their support networks.  Overseen by a Joint Steering Committee comprised of SAPS and the MEC for Community Safety.

A better Gauteng is in the making Key Components of the Strategy  Strengthening crime intelligence and analysis.  Establishment of specialised investigation task teams.  Enhancing forensic support to investigators.  Improving rapid response to robberies.  Intelligence led disruption operations.  Improving case management through the CJS.  Establishment of the Crime Management Centre for coordination and technical assistance.

A better Gauteng is in the making Key Challenges & successes Challenges  Adapting to a new strategy.  Capacity constraints.  Promoting an integrated approach. Successes  Improvements in arrests, prosecution and conviction rates since  Although an evaluation will soon be conducted, there are signs that the strategy may be starting to bear fruit as for Gauteng as a whole in 2009: ● Residential robbery decreased in April, May, June and August. ● Hijacking decreased in April & stabilised in May & June. ● Business robbery stabilised in August for the first time since 2005/06.

A better Gauteng is in the making THANK YOU