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Fires and alcohol confiscations lead December statistics

The Fire and Rescue Service experienced an overall increase in incidents responded to, while alcohol confiscations too showed a marked increase.

After a marked downturn over the peak festive season in 2024, alcohol confiscations ramped up this past December. The Law Enforcement Liquor Pound took receipt of 12 595 units of alcohol confiscated between 1 December and 1 January, equating to 5 673,83 litres. During the corresponding period the previous year, alcohol confiscations totalled 7 434 bottles, equating to just under 3 500 litres. There was also a 35% increase in drunk driving arrests over December, but the Public Emergency Communication Centre recorded decreases of between 20 and nearly 30 percent in a number of key categories, including assault cases, incidents of domestic violence and road accidents. <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/600961285_901257512238272_8670963123069063247_n.jpg" alt="" style="width:1069px;" /></figure>The Fire and Rescue Service too recorded a drop in responses to road accidents and trauma cases, but the number of vegetation and residential fires increased.<div> 'The statistics offer a glimpse into the work that was done across the Safety and Security Directorate over the festive season. What it doesn't do is highlight the many lives saved through proactive enforcement, education and awareness and visible patrols across the many priority areas in our city. And, while alcohol confiscation is usually a hot topic, no one can deny that the thousands of litres in the pound represent lives saved. 'The downturn in trauma-related calls to the PECC and Fire and Rescue Service too is welcomed, but there is a constant need to do even more and for everyone to take accountability for their actions and personal safety. To the thousands of staff members who worked so tirelessly over the festive season to keep Cape Town safe, we salute you,' said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith. <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/fire.jpeg" alt="" style="width:802px;" /></figure>A summary of key statistics across departments is included in the table below: <table cellspacing="0" width="100%" class="ms-rteTable-default"><tbody><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:33.3333%;">Category</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:33.3333%;">December 2024</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:33.3333%;">December 2025</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Arrests</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">1 472</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">1 263</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Drunk driving arrests</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">187</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">253</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Firearm confiscations</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">15</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">16</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Ammunition recovered</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">142 rounds</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">221 rounds</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Fines/transgressions</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">250 233</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">350 585</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Fire & Rescue total incidents</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">3 546</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">3 969</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Vegetation fires</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">2 056</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">2 501</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">PECC assault incidents</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">979</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">698</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">PECC domestic violence calls</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">499</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">390</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">PECC road accidents</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">514</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">396</td></tr></tbody></table> By department, the following statistics were recorded (2024 statistics denoted in brackets):The Fire & Rescue Service responded to a total of 3 969 (3 546) emergency incidents.Among these were 2 501 (2 056) vegetation fires, 228 (212) informal residential fires, 189 (153) formal residential fires, 372 (432) motor vehicle accidents, 150 (173) pedestrians knocked down and 93 (130) trauma incidents. During the period, 14 (11) persons died as a result of fires. The Public Emergency Communication Centre recorded 15 931 (17 722) incidents of which 34% were calls for medical assistance and 22% related to by-law transgressions.In addition, they also recorded 1 750 (1 965) noise complaints, 698 (979) calls relating to assault cases, 396 (514) motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents, 390 (499) cases of domestic violence, 226 (202) complaints about drinking in public, 120 (143) calls related to self-harm and 185 (92) complaints related to the illegal sale and/or discharge of fireworks. During the festive season, the Disaster Risk Management Centre was called upon to coordinate responses to 129 informal settlement fires. Among the bigger incidents were: <ul style="list-style-type:disc;"><li>1 December, Siyahlala, Langa: 38 structures/82 persons affected and four fatalities. </li><li>1 December, Joe Slovo, Langa: 38 structures/88 persons affected.</li><li>6 December, YA section, Khayelitsha: 34 structures/146 persons affected.</li><li>8 December, David Nkanti Section, Lwandle: 31 structures/78 persons affected.</li><li>25 December, Imizamo Yethu, Hout Bay: 29 structures/90 persons affected.</li><li>29 December, Vrygrond: 43 structures were/137 persons affected.</li></ul>During the period, DRM also conducted firewise education and awareness interventions with other City departments in various informal settlements and on the beaches, the DRMC volunteers assisted with general public safety efforts and also lent a hand with the Identikidz project, while staff also maintained a presence at all major events throughout the city. ENFORCEMENT SERVICESLaw enforcement officers made 664 (1 163) arrests in December, and issued 30 972 (31 846) fines for various transgressions. In addition, officers recovered 12 (11) firearms, four (six) imitation firearms and 69 (135) rounds of ammunition. They also confiscated 1 762,25 (2 384,75) units of drugs. Metro Police officers made 367 (112) arrests, including 66 (26) for drunk driving, and issued 12 353 (14 624) fines for traffic and by-law transgressions. Officers also recovered four (four) firearms, 152 (seven) rounds of ammunition and 718 (303) units of alcohol. Cape Town Traffic Officers made 232 (197) arrests, including 187 (138) motorists for driving under the influence of alcohol and 18 (24) for reckless and negligent driving. A total of 27 (35) motorists were arrested on various other charges. They also executed 6 920 (4 136) warrants, impounded 777 (799) public transport vehicles and recorded 307 260 (203 763) transgressions. </div>

2026-01-07T22:00:00Z

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