National police statistics should be released once a month, and not when they are six months out of date, the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) said on Thursday.
“Police update crime statistics every 24-hours. We only get it after it’s been outdated,” said Gareth Newham, head of governance, crime and justice at the ISS.
“If you could get it once a month… communities could see what’s happening in their neighbourhoods and start acting without the help of police.”
He said this would take a “massive burden” away from the police.
“Right now, people have no clue what’s happening in their areas.”
Newham said the decision not to release the statistics once a month was a political decision.
He said Cabinet had changed the previous policy from once every quarter to yearly. – Sapa