Durban - The constant police presence at protest-hit universities could create a gap for criminals in residential areas, security organisations fear.
While the squads on campus comprise members of the Public Order Police unit, their back-up may come from the canine and task force units, according to Kloof Community Police Forum (CPF) chairman Corne Broodryk.
In Westville, where there is a troubled university campus, CPF spokesman Caz Weeks said it would be par for the course that the focus on universities would impact on neighbouring areas. “If it (#feesmustfall) continues, it won’t take long for the thieves to realise resources are stretched.”
But both said there had not been a noticeable spike in crime linked to the protests.
Satish Dhupelia, of the Sydenham CPF, also said there had been no real increase in crime.
Police spokeswoman Brigadier Sally de Beer was adamant the Public Order Police presence at universities would not affect policing in residential areas.
“We know how to plan accordingly. We always have reserves, even if we have to move them in from another province where things are quieter,” she said. “There is always a Plan B and a Plan C.”
