Bluff CPF - Reporting Crime

Reporting crime is an essential action, which is not only used to evaluate and hold the police accountable, but also to determine which areas should be provided with the most police resources. Unfortunately, due to the inconvenience and negative experiences sometimes associated with being an outstanding citizen, we often shrug off the reporting stage of a crime. So below are hints and options that will enable you to report crime with minimal effort.

Reporting crime to the police

If the crime is in progress, as in you can see the crime taking place and have the criminals in view, immediately dial SAPS at 031-451-8059/60 (Brighton Beach) or 10111 (toll-free) or the Durban Metropolitan Emergency Services at 031-361-0000.

Start with a description of the emergency.
Clearly state the address. If the address is located on a side road and is not well known, mention the closest main road and well-known landmark.
State your name and contact number. If this is not done, there is a possibility that your report will not be taken seriously as there are more hoax calls than actual emergencies.
Make sure that you get an Incident Report Number (IR#). This is very important if you need to make a second call or need to complain about non-delivery of service.

If the crime has already occurred, such as when you arrive at home to find it has been burgled or when your car has been broken into, i.e., the criminals are no longer in the vicinity, then you have two options:

Travel to the Brighton Beach SAPS station and file a report. This will help free mobile units to attend to more urgent complaints with minimised response times.
If unable to visit SAPS, then call the station at 031-451-8059/60. Describe the crime, stating your name and address, and obtain an Incident Report Number (IR#). You should be prepared to wait for several hours for a response as more urgent matters will get priority.

Cable Theft

Please report cable theft to 031-311-9611.

Bad Driving?

You CAN take some action against bad drivers....

Report the registration, description of the vehicle, time and place and brief description of the incident to 086-221-1010.

Store this number in your cell phone so that you always have it handy, and ... USE IT!

Bad Driving.co.za is a private web-site that gives you the chance to rant and rave about the way other people drive. Note that this is site is not endorsed by the Bluff CPF and has no official status. Email a report on bad driving, bad parking, selfish, dangerous or just plain stupid behaviour behind the wheel. Have your say. What angers you in traffic? Is it people indicating left, then turning right? Or maybe not indicating at all. What about taxis? Tailgating? Using a cellphone without a hands free kit. Email your rant. All reports and rants will be kept anonymous.

Reporting crime to the CPF

Note that the CPF is NOT an emergency response unit. However it is important to report incidents to us so that we can monitor police effectiveness and ensure that matters are being dealt with.

Please assist us by reporting any incidents that you may believe are crime- or community safety-related as soon as you learn of them, whether or not the matter has been reported to the police.

To report an incident on-line, use our Crime/Incident Report form, anonymously if you wish, or email crime@bluffcpf.co.za.

But remember that this is NOT for emergencies and does NOT replace any requirement, or absolve you of any responsibility, to report a crime direct to the SAPS or Metro Police.

Also, if you need a quick response, please call the emergency numbers provided on our home page, or find the contact details you require on our Useful Contacts page.

The CPF will use this to determine whether action is required in certain areas and will pass the necessary information on to the relevant authorities.