The SAPS pointed out the importance of :
- Reporting all incidences of crime, including trespassing.
- Making a statement
- Getting a case number.
Reporting a crime is very important for the following reasons:
- Police do not automatically investigate a crime. They can only investigate if the crime has been reported and a statement made.
- Reporting the crime is important for accurate crime stats. This gives SAPS more leverage to request extra police officers, vehicles etc.
- It gives the police a time frame & points out “hot spots”
- They might be able to lift fingerprints that can possibly link them to existing or future cases.
- Criminals always leave something behind.
- It helps them to determine the Modus Operandi of criminals
Please report ALL crime: the SAPS needs to know what is happening in our area, to be able to focus their efforts properly.