The Windhoek City Police have recorded an increase in violent and property crimes in Windhoek in 2015 compared to last year.
City Police spokesperson, Assistant Superintendent Cillie Auala informed a media briefing on Tuesday that violent crimes increased by five to 24% for the period December 2014 to December 2015; while property crimes recorded an increase of four and five per cent during the same period.
Cases of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) reported in 2014 were 2 538 but increased to 2 671 in 2015, while rape went up by an alarming 54% from 65 cases recorded last year to 100 cases this year.
Murder increased by 24% in 2015, with 67 cases recorded this year from 54 in 2014; robbery cases increased from 1 098 cases in 2014 to 1 235 cases in 2015; and armed robbery went up with three per cent with a total of 1 057 cases recorded this year compared to 1 028 in 2014.
Theft went up by five per cent from 7 172 cases in 2014 to 7 534, while theft under false pretence and housebreaking increased by four per cent, with 873 cases last year compared to 2014’s 906.
A total of 3 729 cases of housebreaking were recorded this year compared to the previous year’s 3 575 cases.
Auala noted that the highest number of criminal activities was observed in the Western Suburbs, Katutura, Khomasdal and Otjomuise.
Crimes of concern were housebreaking, assault, GBH, robbery and theft out of motor vehicles, she said.
Informal settlements including the Katutura East and Katutura Central, Goreangab, Otjomuise, Agste Laan, Havana and Okuryangava also experienced a high rate of crime, mainly due to the presence of shebeens and other liquor outlets there.
-Nampa
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