New additions to security fleet

On Friday 11 April CPS and UCT's contracted security company, G4S, launched four new branded G4S vehicles that will be patrolling upper campus, part of Properties and Services' Risk Management Department's visible policing initiative to enhance safety on UCT campuses.

The Groote Schuur Community Improvement District (GSCID) will also deploy their marked vehicles to patrol the different campuses.

To augment these services, four crime prevention officers will patrol middle campus on marked bicycles. They will be dressed in blue, with reflector vests marked with G4S branding.

In a development to improve communication, the radios of GSCID and CPS members patrolling the campus and its periphery have been linked.

Roland September, head of the Risk Management Department, who has been campaigning for the extra vehicles, said that it was important to create visibility on campus as a way to ward off would-be criminals.

"Criminals are more likely to infiltrate areas where they do not have to negotiate visible crime prevention officers."

Having the vehicles roving the area would also mean quicker response to incidents, he said.

"The more mobile our officers are, the more effective we will be."

P&S have reminded the campus community to remain vigilant, heed crime prevention strategies, and to report all crimes, no matter how small. (Satellite control rooms on campus are open 24/7. To report incidents, call the CPS emergency number: 021 650 2222.)