MOSSEL BAY NEWS - There was an increase in cases of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) from October to December last year, compared with the same period the year before, at all police stations in the greater Mossel Bay area.

The number of new cases totalled 178 for October to December last year, compared with the same period in 2023, when there were 134 new cases.

The crime statistics for the third quarter, from October to December, were recently released by police.

At a glance, crime categories with a higher number of cases than others include commercial crimes, common assault, burglary at a residential premises and drug- and alcohol-related incidents.

Commercial crimes include fraud cases.

All four police stations in the Mossel Bay municipal area - Great Brak River, Da Gamaskop, KwaNonqaba and Mossel Bay - regularly warn their communities about fraud. This includes their warnings published in the Mossel Bay Advertiser.

An increase and decrease in cases shown in the statistics, can also be a sign of citizens reporting or not reporting crimes to the police.

Of the four police stations that serve the greater Mossel Bay area, Great Brak River showed an increase in the most crime categories, although its crime figures in general are still lower than those in the Da Gamaskop and KwaNonqaba areas.

Although its number of cases is relatively high compared with the other stations, KwaNonqaba showed a decrease in crime compared to the other stations.

KwaNonqaba serves the largest geographical area and largest population of all the police stations.

Speaking on behalf of all four stations, police spokesperson Warrant Officer Kappie Kapp said a briefing, to which the media will be invited, is scheduled for 5 March. Here, the most recent crime statistics for the Garden Route district will be discussed. 

KwaNonqaba Police Station
Murder
• 2023: 14
• 2024: 7
Sexual offences
• 2023: 9
• 2024: 8
Attempted murder
• 2023: 6
• 2024: 3
Assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH)
• 2023: 55
• 2024: 74
Common assault
• 2023: 129
• 2024: 114
Burglary at a residential premises
• 2023: 64
• 2024: 66
Commercial crime
• 2023: 34
• 2024: 58
Shoplifting
• 2023: 28
• 2024: 26
Drug-related crime
• 2023: 164
• 2024: 131
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• 2023: 32
• 2024: 28
Great Brak River Police Station
Murder
• 2023: 1
• 2024: 1
Sexual offences
• 2023: 0
• 2024: 4
Attempted murder
• 2023: 1
• 2024: 2
Assault, GBH
• 2023: 32
• 2024: 38
Common assault
• 2023: 39
• 2024: 44
Burglary at a residential premises
• 2023: 35
• 2024: 20
Commercial crime
• 2023: 34
• 2024: 37
Shoplifting
• 2023: 2
• 2024: 0
Drug-related crime
• 2023: 3
• 2024: 11
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• 2023: 8
• 2024: 17
Mossel Bay Police Station
Murder
• 2023: 0
• 2024: 0
Sexual offences
• 2023: 5
• 2024: 2
Attempted murder
• 2023: 1
• 2024: 1
Assault, GBH
• 2023: 2
• 2024: 11
Common assault
• 2023: 31
• 2024: 39
Burglary at a residential premises
• 2023: 38
• 2024: 15
Commercial crime
• 2023: 40
• 2024: 55
Shoplifting
• 2023: 34
• 2024: 17
Drug-related crime
• 2023: 67
• 2024: 69
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• 2023: 36
• 2024: 57
Da Gamaskop Police Station
Murder
• 2023: 5
• 2024: 3
Sexual offences
• 2023: 13
• 2024: 13
Attempted murder
• 2023: 4
• 2024: 8
Assault, GBH
• 2023: 45
• 2024: 55
Common assault
• 2023: 74
• 2024: 62
Burglary at a residential premises
• 2023: 68
• 2024: 74
Commercial crime
• 2023: 54
• 2024: 76
Shoplifting
• 2023: 20
• 2024: 6
Drug-related crime
• 2023: 74
• 2024: 93
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• 2023: 50
• 2024: 63

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