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Fall in S Africa's violent crime Fall in S Africa's violent crime
(about 2 hours later)
South Africa has seen a marked decrease in cases of violent crime, new figures released by the country's police show.South Africa has seen a marked decrease in cases of violent crime, new figures released by the country's police show.
South Africa's international reputation has long been tarnished by the high levels of crime. The BBC Johannesburg correspondent says South Africa's reputation has long been tarnished by the high levels of crime.
The latest statistics suggest that the authorities are achieving their reduction targets of at least 7%.The latest statistics suggest that the authorities are achieving their reduction targets of at least 7%.
But there is still concern about the high number of robberies as thefts from shops, factories and small businesses are up nearly 30%. But there is still concern about the high number of robberies, as thefts from shops, factories and small businesses are up nearly 30%.
Maximum forceMaximum force
The fight against crime is one of the big challenges facing the South African government. The BBC's Peter Biles in Johannesburg says the fight against crime is one of the big challenges facing the South African government.
So the latest crime figures comparing the six months from April to September with the same period last year will be welcome news. SOUTH AFRICA CRIME UP: - House robbery by 7%: 6,711 cases- Business robbery by 29.3%: 4,438 cases- Truck hijacking by 53.3%: 598 cases DOWN: - Murder by 6.6%: 8,925 cases- Rape by 3.6%: 22,887 cases- Attempted murder by 7.6%: 9,269 cases
Figures April to September 2007
So the latest crime figures comparing the six months from April to September with the same period last year will be welcome news, he says.
Seven out of eight categories of serious crime, including murder, attempted murder and rape, show a decrease.Seven out of eight categories of serious crime, including murder, attempted murder and rape, show a decrease.
Minister of Safety and Security Charles Nqakula says he believes the involvement of ordinary people in community policing projects has helped to bring crime levels down dramatically.Minister of Safety and Security Charles Nqakula says he believes the involvement of ordinary people in community policing projects has helped to bring crime levels down dramatically.
Crime in South Africa is all too often accompanied by extreme violence involving firearms. Crime in South Africa is all too often accompanied by extreme violence involving guns.
But the police are now warning that maximum force will be used against criminals. House robbers operate mainly in small groups, usually at night and normally hold up their victims with firearms, the police report says.
We are not going to tolerate anyone who uses his weapon illegally Security minister Charles Nqakula
So the police warn maximum force will be used against criminals.
"We are not going to tolerate anyone who uses his weapon illegally in South Africa to commit a crime," Mr Nqakula told reporters.
"We will use the weapons that we have to defend ourselves and to protect innocent civilians," he said.
On the business front, small to medium-sized concerns are the usual targets, the police said.
According to Chris de Kock - head of police crime information - one of the more organised areas of crime is truck hijacking, the South African Press Association reports.
The number of truck hijackings rose from 390 in 2006 to 598 in 2007.