FREE STATE: 17 October 2023 - The high-density operation "Shanela" continues to put more emphasis on crime, as 1466 people were arrested throughout the province. Between 2 and 16 October 2023, Free State Police arrested people for different crimes and the effectiveness of the high-density operations has so far reignited the partnership policing needed to nip crime in the butt.
Maintaining the aggressiveness, roadblocks aswell as stop and searches continues throughout the province. For contravention of the Firearms Act, five suspects were arrested and 56 were arrested for possession of a dangerous weapon. For drug-related crimes, 77 suspects were arrested for dealing and possession of drugs.
Contact crimes remain a thorn in the flesh in the province. For robberies, 12 suspects were arrested, 23 were arrested for murder, 11 for attempted murder, 17 for rape and 372 suspects were arrested for assault. Intelligence led information made it possible for detectives to trace and arrest suspects, as 652 suspects were arrested for crimes such as murder, rape, attempted murder, theft, assaults, and robberies. Through a multi-disciplinary approach, 132 people were brought to book for contravention of the Traffic Act, while 88 illegal immigrants were arrested and processed by the immigration officials.