Two weeks ago, a data centre started operating at Primedia Place, Johannesburg, where the public can blow the whistle on criminals. The centre is manned by data capturers who have received extensive training from the SAPS. Members of the public can SMS 32211 (at a cost of R1.)) each), 24 hours a day with any tip-offs about crime or criminals. Primedia has also established www.crimeline.co.za.
The response to the campaign – one of the largest private initiatives of its kind in the world – has been phenomenal, according to Primedia, with hundreds of tip-offs being received and several successful arrests already made.
Recently, 10 criminals were arrested on suspicion of armed robbery, cable theft and fraud, and police have confirmed that they have several more arrests under their belt and recovered hundreds of thousands of rands of stolen property.
“The Gauteng police – who receive most of the tip-offs – are working really hard on this campaign, which has resulted in various successes over the past two weeks,” said police spokesperson director Sally de Beer. “Every unlawful firearm removed from circulation is a triumph and will ultimately result in less violent crimes being committed. The SAPS urges the community to report on illegal firearms and illegal drugs which also contribute greatly to serious offences being committed”.
“We now have a total of 18 arrests and stolen goods to the value of about R300 000 recovered,” reported Yusuf Abramjee, group head of news and talk programming at Primedia Broadcasting and Primedia anti-crime project co-ordinator, on Friday, 22 June 2007.
“Many more investigations are currently underway and some are quite intricate. It won't be long before we see results of these investigations. Remember, blow the whistle on crime and we at Primedia and the SAPS promise no comebacks. SMS your tip-offs to 32211, mentioning ‘who, what, when, how, and case numbers if applicable, and we will get the police to act,” said Abramjee.
Primedia's anti-crime campaign is backed by the full support of the Minister for Safety and Security, Charles Nqakula, and the National Police Commissioner, Jackie Selebi, and encourages the public to report crime anonymously if necessary, without fear of victimisation or reprisals.
“We are 100% committed to this anti-crime initiative and 100% ready to start acting on the crime-related information, which will be passed on through Primedia's channels,” said Commissioner Jackie Selebi. “We call on members of the community to respond to this campaign with the same enthusiasm with which it was conceptualised and activated by Primedia and the SAPS. We are of the view that this campaign will generate tremendous goodwill. One criminal arrested means one criminal off our streets and it is working.”
