Vigilance needed in Victoria Bay

GEORGE NEWS - Residents of Victoria Bay have become uneasy as crime has increased in the area during the last couple of months.

A few months ago there were reports of home invasions in the Ballot's Bay area and most recently an attempted home invasion turned into a shootout between the homeowner and the suspects, who fled the scene without taking anything. Arrests are still to be made.

According to the chairman of the newly formed Victoria Bay Neighbourhood Watch, Nathan Haupt, crime in the area has definitely increased in the last year.

Since March the picturesque Victoria Bay has seen a number of burglaries, home invasions, robberies and attacks. Access to the area is mainly gained from the N2 or the railway line.

Residents are asked to remain vigilant and those who are able and willing to, to join the neighbourhood watch.

"The neighbourhood watch committee has been elected and we are now waiting for our registration to be completed," said Haupt. Anyone who wishes to join the neighbourhood watch is welcome to send an email to vicbaynhw@gmail.com.

Victims not reporting

A challenge, not only in George, but countrywide, is to get victims to report crimes committed against them. According to Haupt, less than half of the incidents of crime in Victoria Bay since March have been reported to the police.

"In order to know what we are fighting against, we need incidents of crime reported. No crime is too insignificant to report," he said.

Suspected stolen goods found next to the railway line.