Crackdown on crime along lower Church Street bridge

ATTACKS Crackdown on crime along lower Church Street bridge THEOLIN TEM BO theolin.tembognl.co.za THE arrest of several suspects allegedly involved in the robberies involving cyclists and pedestrians along the Lower Church Street bridge in Woodstock, Cape Town has been welcomed. Since November last year, cyclists have been sounding the alarm about attacks and robberies along the M176. The attacks prompted the police to urge cyclists and pedestrians to remain vigilant. This comes after several cyclists have shared their experiences on social media about their brushes with crime as they were robbed along the popular route. SAPS Spokesperson Wesley Twigg said that following numerous complaints of robberies, Woodstock police compiled an operational plan to deal with the situation. "An integrated operation between SAPS and other law enforcement agencies was conducted on Friday, which resulted in the arrest of several suspects. "During this operation, 18 undocumented persons were arrested. The SEVERAL suspects have been arrested in connection with a series of robberies targeting cyclists and pedestrians in Woodstock, Cape Town. I SAPS Supplied members conducted searches and arrested three suspects for the possession of drugs and one for the possession of a dangerous weapon," Twigg said. The suspects are expected to appear in the Cape Town Magistrates' court today. Western Cape Mobility MEC, Isaac Sileku, welcomed the arrests, saying: "These alleged criminals posed a serious threat to the safety of cyclists, pedestrians and commuters. Their arrests are a crucial step in ensuring that our nonmotorised routes remain safe for everyone to use." Pedal Power Association CEO, Neil Robinson, said they are grateful and thankful to the police services for the various arrests made, but also continue their appeal to cycling and pedestrians to be vigilant. "We hope the patrols and the arrests are kept up, road users are kept safe every day while using this quite dangerous point on their way to work and back. "We're also very pleased that we are able to work with the Metro Police and other law enforcement bodies to bring about some sort of change in these areas," Robinson said. "Also, as we lead up to the Cape Town Cycle Tour in March, a lot of people use it for their training routes every day so it does help quite a lot when police are doing these sorts of operations to bring people to book." Sileku said that the Western Cape government remains committed to promoting safer mobility, and "we will continue working closely with law enforcement and our communities to protect all road users, especially our pedestrians and cyclists".