Bitou officers on the beat

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - It seems that nothing gets past the keen eyes of Bitou's law enforcement officers who again recently managed to help get suspected criminals off the streets.

According to Lisa Nagel of Plett.Watch, Bitou's neighbourhood watch group, the officers were informed on Sunday morning of suspicious behaviour.

It is believed that five suspects were driving around in a vehicle in the Bossiesgif and Qolweni areas, demanding "protection money" from shop owners in the area.

Nagel said the officers immediately called for police back-up and proceeded to stop the vehicle on the N2. A subsequent search of the vehicle was carried out and crime fighters found cash and knives inside.

It was also established that the vehicle was recently reported as stolen in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape. The suspects were arrested by police.

Over the past week, concerned citizens in Kwanokuthula also helped rid the area of drugs when tip-offs led to the arrest of suspects and the confiscation of drugs in the area.

According to Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA) operations head Otto Olivier, locals noticed that containers that are used for trading, had been reopened after having been closed down in the past.

"Upon investigation, Kwano Crime Prevention members found foreign nationals inside, as well as drugs."

Local police responded swiftly to arrest the suspects and confiscate the drugs.

"The notorious trading containers were closed again," Olivier said.

On Sunday, during normal patrols, law enforcement officers received another tip-off from a Kwano Crime Prevention member of drugs in the vicinity of Kloof Street, opposite the taxi rank. They again immediately reacted and the suspect was arrested and drugs confiscated.

Drugs confiscated during a drug bust in Kwanokuthula, Plettenberg Bay.