JOHANNESBURG - Police Minister Bheki Cele says authorities are making strides in preventing crimes such as cash-in-transit heists and bank robberies.
He says this is largely due to increased police patrols, stop-and-search operations and roadblocks.
Cele was releasing the fourth quarter crime stats on Friday.
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He said, "the third quarter crime figures, show that while there are increases in contact crimes such as murder, assault and robberies, there is significant improvement in crimes detected as a result of police action."
"There are signs of improvement in crimes such as cash-in-transit heists and bank robberies which have reported decrease in the period of reporting. These decreases are attributed to increased police visibility through patrols, stop and search, vehicle check points and road blocks."
"52,711 people were arrested for various crimes including murder, sexual offences, assault, car hijacking as well as other serious crimes during the festive season."