The Gauteng Aggravated Robbery Strategy
Institute for Security Studies
8 October 2009
A better Gauteng is in the making
CONTENT OF THE PRESENTATION
 The challenge & nature of aggravated robbery in
Gauteng.
 The background to the strategy.
 The Gauteng Aggravated Robbery Strategy.
 Challenges and successes.
A better Gauteng is in the making
The challenge of aggravated robbery in
Gauteng
Aggravated robbery refers to a criminal incident where
a perpetrator uses the direct threat of violence against
a victim, typically with a firearm, to steal their
valuables.
During 2008/09 a total of 50 886 cases were
recorded in Gauteng – an average of 140 per day.
Gauteng records 42% of all cases recorded in South
Africa.
With a victimisation rate of 487 cases per 100 000
people, Gauteng residents are almost twice as likely to
fall victim than the average South African resident.
A better Gauteng is in the making
The sub-categories of aggravated robbery
Category
Number in
08/09
Street robbery
Residential robbery
Vehicle hijacking
Business robbery
Truck hijacking
Cash-in-Transit heists
Bank robbery
Total
% change % change
03/04
07/08
27 853 (55%)
8 122 (16%)
7 626 (15%)
6 216 (12%)
- 14.3%
11%
2.1%
21.9%
- 39.7%
51.1%
- 14.2%
166.2%
891 (2%)
126 (0.2%)
52 (0.1%)
18.2%
5.9%
- 38.8%
90.8%
59.5%
225%
50 886 (100%)
- 0.2%
- 19.7%
A better Gauteng is in the making
Trio robbery trend 2002/03 to 2008/09
25000
Cases Recorded
20000
15000
10000
5000
0
'2002-03
2003-4
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08
2008-09'
Residential
4831
5375
5608
6196
7732
7314
8122
Business
2662
2335
2115
3148
4492
5098
6216
Hijacking
9587
8891
7208
7237
7314
7466
7626
Total
17080
16601
14931
16581
19538
19878
21964
Financial Years
A better Gauteng is in the making
The nature of aggravated robbery
 CIT heists, bank robberies & some Trio robberies tend to be
committed by relatively small number of highly organised
groups.
 Most Trio robberies committed by groups of 2 or 3 people.
 Perpetrators are likely to have committed other crimes such
as street robbery and ‘graduate’ to Trio crimes due to the
economic incentives involved.
 Difficult crimes to police as perpetrators have many
‘targets’ to choose from & carefully plan their attacks.
 Growth in Trio crimes partly as a result of low chance of
being arrested and convicted.
 There are a limited number of perpetrators who are linked
to networks & they always leave evidence behind.
A better Gauteng is in the making
Background to the Strategy
 Lessons from Operation Iron Fist – 2006
● Shortcomings of typical visible policing tactics.
● Shortcomings of station led policing.
Research into robbery reduction – 2007
● Robberies decrease with an increase in the arrest
and incarceration of perpetrators.
● Intelligence & information analysis is key.
● Specialised investigation units are needed.
● Integrated multi-agency approaches work best.
A better Gauteng is in the making
The Gauteng Aggravated Robbery Strategy
The strategy was develop jointly by the Department of
Community Safety and the Gauteng SAPS in 2008.
The strategy was canvassed with the NPA and other
law enforcement agencies.
The key objective of the strategy was to substantially
increase the arrest, prosecution and conviction rates of
the direct perpetrators & those in their support
networks.
Overseen by a Joint Steering Committee comprised of
SAPS and the MEC for Community Safety.
A better Gauteng is in the making
Key Components of the Strategy
Strengthening crime intelligence and analysis.
Establishment of specialised investigation task
teams.
Enhancing forensic support to investigators.
Improving rapid response to robberies.
Intelligence led disruption operations.
Improving case management through the CJS.
Establishment of the Crime Management
Centre for coordination and technical
assistance.
A better Gauteng is in the making
Key Challenges & successes
Challenges
 Adapting to a new strategy.
 Capacity constraints.
 Promoting an integrated approach.
Successes
 Improvements in arrests, prosecution and conviction rates since
2007.
 Although an evaluation will soon be conducted, there are signs
that the strategy may be starting to bear fruit as for Gauteng as a
whole in 2009:
● Residential robbery decreased in April, May, June and August.
● Hijacking decreased in April & stabilised in May & June.
● Business robbery stabilised in August for the first time since
2005/06.
A better Gauteng is in the making
THANK YOU
A better Gauteng is in the making