A stop-and-search operation this week by the SA Police Service (SAPS) “Free State Cyclists” proved highly successful, Free State police said.
“The cyclists concentrated on the most problematic areas, such as Dagbreek, Bedelia, Bok Street, as well as the shopping centres around Welkom,” Captain Stephen Thakeng said in a statement.
The cyclists used their own initiative and own bicycles to conduct the operation to help combat criminal activities around Welkom. During the operation, members managed to search 116 people and four motor vehicles. Similar operations would be conducted frequently in different station precincts, he said.
Officers taking part in the operation were Lt-Col Ronel Bailey, Warrant Officer Gustav Thompson, Warrant Officer Frans Vermaak, Warrant Officer Basie Ferreira, Warrant Officer Peter Muller, and Sergeant Jurgen Opperman.
“The comments from the members of the public was very positive and they appreciated the effort from the cyclists doing patrols on bicycles,” Thakeng said.
Welkom policing cluster commander Maj-Gen Apaphia Modise expressed her appreciation to the officers, saying such operations would have a huge impact on helping to reduce crime in Welkom.
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