The patrols are an initiative between the SAPS and the VKB/Free State Agriculture Safety Desk to reduce rural crime through proactive policing and increased visibility. They are also intended to foster good working relationships.

A police officer involved in this week’s operation says cooperation between police, farmers and rural residents is critical.

“My area is amazing. The people I work with are incredibly active. They are driving patrol every night – not just when special arrangements have been made.

“I have spoken to them before and they say it is for their own safety. It’s not about helping the police, it’s about ensuring their own safety. We are very grateful because it makes our work easier.”

A farmer in the Bainsvlei area, Ben van den Bergh, says while it can be dangerous, it is important for rural residents to take responsibility for their own safety.

“It is dangerous but if a person shies away from it, everyone will end up just sitting at home and nothing will happen. We always have the involvement of the police, we don’t just storm into a situation.

“We are usually two or more driving around in a vehicle and we observe and monitor the situation.”

Successes include several arrests of suspects in possession of dagga, people with housebreaking tools and illegal immigrants. There were also interventions in two serious assault cases and a theft suspect was caught red-handed.

Free State Agriculture’s Tommy Esterhuyse has thanked both police and farmers for their proactive efforts, particularly in the Welkom/Thabong area and Bethlehem. “Those are areas where we have really been struggling with high crime levels,” he says.

Esterhuyse says the white/blue light initiative is definitely yielding positive results and they are already seeing a decrease in crime in certain areas. He says he views the patrols as an important partnership for the future.

He says police resources remain a serious challenge with limited vehicles hampering efforts to join farmers on patrol. However, he says this issue is being addressed at top police structures.

Esterhyse says they are already planning the next operation and intend to do this even more regularly going forward.

OFM News