Today Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa, announced the 2010/2011 crime statistics.

While time is needed to study the statistics more closely, we welcome the broadly positive trend. The decrease in crime cannot be seen out of context of the spectacularly crime-free FIFA World Cup. Certainly after the huge boost in manpower and resources for the event, this trend was to be expected. It indicates that the tactics used to decrease crime during that period, especially visible policing, must be implemented as part of normal policing strategy.

Crime statistics are not only an important measure of crime levels, but also an indicator of how well government safety policies are managing to keep South Africans safe. The DA advocates real-time crime statistics that are publicly available, so that tailored and localised responses can be formulated while they are still relevant. We continue to believe that this is something which the Minister and his department need to give serious consideration.

The decrease in almost all crimes, including contact crimes such as murder, attempted murder and sexual offences is welcomed. However, the fact that rape is up to over 56 000 rapes pa, added to a massive increase in ATM bombings – some 61.5% - is of concern. Special attention must also be paid to the increases in drug related crimes, and drunk driving. The SAPS has proven that when they focus on areas they see results; we hope these areas are afforded future focus.

Last year there was the great concern of large increases in residential and non-residential robberies; however, residential robberies are down this year – so we may feel safer in our homes, and robberies at businesses seem to have stabilised.

The fact that 98 of our SAPS members were murdered by criminals last year is extremely painful to hear, and added to that is the fact that so many SAPS members have been killed this year. At the very moment that the crime statistics were announced, two officers were shot – one dead – in Durban North.

All the brave men and women in SAPS must be commended for their efforts to keep South Africa safe. These results show that their efforts can and do achieve results.