Thieves rob South African Police Service crime intelligence unit
23 July 2015,
1:39pm / Voice Reporter
Cape
Town 22-07-2015:Bishop Levis Cops INTEL building fance has been stolen by Thugs
in Bishop Levis,this is the place where the Police get their higly training to
fight any kids of criminal activeties.Picture Mlondolozi Mbolo reporter Geniva
Serra
Cape
Town - Police sources say it is supposed to be one of the most secure buildings
in Cape Town, but the SAPS crime intelligence office has no fence after thieves
stole it.
Sources
said the office located in Bishop Lavis, next to the police academy, has become
a hot spot for theft and vandalism, and has been broken into five times this
year.
The
building houses crucial information in investigations into organised
syndicates, gangs and drugs.
However,
several laptops containing sensitive information was stolen.
And
chunks of the steel fence has been ripped out by vandals.
A
police officer who works at the crime intelligence office, and spoke on condition
of anonymity, said that he no longer feels safe at work.
“They
steal the wheels off the cars while they are standing in front,” said the
police officer.
“There
have been five break-ins this year alone and laptops were stolen. And that is
inside the crime intelligence offices which is supposed to be just as secure as
Parliament.
“The
fence they have to replace each time but it keeps on being stolen.
“Compared
to the headquarters in Johannesburg where you cannot enter the premises with a
cellphone.
“Here
you just hoot and the security, who are students, just let you inside.”
He
said the premises of the National Crime Intelligence Unit in Pietermaritzburg
was also targeted by brazen thieves last Thursday, who made off with a safe and
several firearms.
The
gang made off with a R5 rifle and five handguns as well as a safe, which is
said to have contained important documents.
The
officer said although no firearms are being kept at the Bishop Lavis unit,
vital information is stored on laptop computers for investigations into
organised syndicates, robberies, gangs and drugs.
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