Crime decreases on Table Mountain

Crime on Table Mountain has reduced drastically since the inception of the Table Mountain Safety Forum (TMSF), according to a statement released by SANParks.

The TMSF was established in early 2011, following a spate of attacks on Table Mountain.

The forum focuses on incident management and data analysis, boosting volunteerism, effective communication, victim support services, the use of technology to complement the existing operations, community involvement and monitoring and evaluation

Merle Collins, SANParks Regional Communications Manager: Cape Region, said the number of crimes perpetrated against Table Mountain users reduced by 50% between 2011 and 2012.

She added that from October 2011 until January this year, there was not a single reported criminal incident against a mountain user in the areas on Table Mountain where TMSF members are active in the City Bowl between Signal Hill to Devil’s Peak and Camps Bay.

“Unfortunately, between January and February there have been a total of three incidents of robbery and attempted robbery in these areas, and the TMSF has immediately responded to this by increasing its activity with SANParks rangers, SAPS officers on horseback and on vehicle patrol, neigbourhood watch patrols and through aerial surveillance, as well as through the eyes and ears of bikers, hikers and walkers. Given that the Cable Way reported record numbers, some 120 000 rides in December alone, incidents are few and far between,” said Collins.

She said the primary incidences were thefts and attempted thefts from vehicles left for long periods in parking lots near popular mountain trails.

“We urge members of the public not to leave any valuables inside their vehicles and to report any suspicious activities and while on the mountain, to report any suspicious activity or to report a crime or emergency,” she said.

“Most importantly, we call on all members of the public that do experience incidences of crime to report them, as this will allow police officers to intervene and reduce crime into the future.”

The SANParks emergency number is 0861 106 417 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 0861 106 417 FREE end_of_the_skype_highlighting .