12.5 Arrests per Day

During 2024/25 financial year Cape Town Metro Police officers put 4 549 suspects behind bars. It is anticipated that the additional staff members coming into the fold from September will further boost operational outcomes. Read more below:

In the past 12 months, Metro Police officers:

• made 4 549 arrests
• recovered 22 751,5 units of drugs, 71 firearms, 50 imitation firearms, 1 150 rounds of ammunition and 67 stolen vehicles
• issued 166 908 fines for various traffic and by-law transgressions
• screened 25 922 drivers for alcohol use
• conducted nearly 7 500 operations
• responded to 2 215 incidents on the N2 and R300 as part of dedicated hotspot patrols

There were also 85 attacks on staff members – up from 73 in the previous year, and 64 the year before, representing a 33% increase over the period.

‘The increase in attacks is disappointing, but not surprising. We have, in recent years, seen a level of brazenness directed at enforcement services – often from the very communities who demand visible policing. What many fail to appreciate are the very real impacts. Staff need time off to deal with trauma or recover from injury. Damaged vehicles need repairs. This in turn means fewer staff on shift, fewer patrol vehicles, and a less effective enforcement response when it is needed,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman Smith.

In the last two years, the City has started rolling out body worn cameras and in-vehicle cameras to help gather evidence, but also act as a layer of protection for staff. The cameras can capture staff interactions with the public and any incidents where staff safety may be at risk.

Currently, the Metro Police Department has access to 250 body worn cameras that captured approximately 1 700 hours of footage in a six month period.

‘It is hoped that, over time, we can use these tools to identify and arrest perpetrators to help send a strong message that these attacks will not be tolerated,’ added Alderman Smith.

In the coming months, the Metro Police Department will see a significant boost, with 700 new staff members deployed as part of the dedicated ward policing plan.

The recruits have completed their training as part of the Project 1 000.

In addition, 44 additional Metro Police officers will work on a shift rotation to shore up patrols on the N2 and surrounds.

‘We look forward to the additional investments in our Metro Police Department and our broader public safety efforts, but I also want to commend the staff for the work done in the last year. The enforcement space is a challenging one, and to witness the daily successes is a source of immense pride,’ said Alderman Smith.