House break-ins, particularly during the night, are on the rise, with criminals targeting homes for valuables. Laudium Community Policing Forum getting ready to conduct a patrol. Picture: Supplied
THE once peaceful community of Laudium, located west of Pretoria, has seen a surge in criminal activity, mainly due to drugs being peddled in the area.
Noor Mohammed, the spokesperson for the Laudium Community Policing Forum (CPF), said the common crimes included burglaries, vehicle theft, muggings, and drug-related offences.
“House break-ins, particularly during the night, are on the rise, with criminals targeting homes for valuables. There has also been a spike in vehicle hijackings and the theft of cars parked in both residential and commercial areas.
“Drug related activities, including the selling and distribution of illegal substances have contributed to other social problems in the area. These major crimes still occur in our community, but less frequently.”
He said Laudium was now grappling with an increase in petty crimes, largely attributed to the high influx of individuals addicted to Nyaope.
“These individuals have taken up residence in the area; they are often involved in smaller-scale crimes such as theft of household items, cell phones, and personal belongings, creating a persistent nuisance for residents. The petty crimes have heightened the overall sense of insecurity, particularly as these crimes are more frequent and unpredictable.”
Mohammed said the community was fearful and frustrated.
“The rising crime levels have left the residents of Laudium deeply unsettled. Many families express concerns about their safety, both in and around their homes. Parents are particularly worried about the safety of their children, with reports of muggings and drug-related activities occurring near schools and recreational areas.
“The fear of becoming victims of crime has led to lifestyle changes, with many residents avoiding going out late at night or installing additional security measures such as cameras, alarms, and electric fences There is also growing frustration among residents, some of whom feel that law enforcement efforts are not enough to stem the tide of crime.”
He said the lack of visible policing, slow response times, and a perceived lack of resources had only compounded the community’s sense of vulnerability.
“As a result, many residents have turned to the Laudium CPF for support and guidance. We have collaborated with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and implemented increased patrols and visibility. We have also been working closely with the local police station to improve coordination and response times. Regular meetings are held between Laudium CPF and SAPS leadership to address specific crime hotspots, and joint operations have been carried out to target known criminal elements.”
He said these efforts have seen some success, with several arrests in recent weeks.
“We are also engaging with the community by having awareness campaigns. These initiatives include community meetings, workshops on personal safety, and active WhatsApp groups that provide real-time updates on crime patterns and safety tips.”
Mohammed said they were also fighting drug abuse and social ills by partnering with organisations to address drug-related crimes.
“We are doing this through counselling, rehabilitation programs, and targeted police raids on known drug dens. We hope to reduce the influence of drug syndicates in the area.”
He added that crime continued to challenge the peace in Laudium. Only through a strong partnership between residents, the CPF, and law enforcement can these trends be reversed.
Bilall Sheik, a business owner, said he was concerned about the safety of his wife and children.
“Petty crime is a problem because of the drugs. We are scared to walk in the neighbourhood because we might be mugged. There are drug addicts all around. We need more police visibility.”
Another resident, who declined to be named, said Laudium was once a peaceful area to live in but now they had to constantly watch their backs.
“Petty crime is getting out of hand and my concern is that it is going to escalate to more serious and violent crimes. There are patrols by the CPF but I believe a stronger police presence in the area will be more of a deterrent.”
Another resident said police needed to address the escalating drug problem in the community.
“Crime has spiked because of drugs. We need a crime intelligence driven operation to clamp down on the drug dealers so our community can be restored to what it was and the residents can feel safe again.”
The police did not comment by the time of publication.
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