A criminological perspective on community policing in the South West Tshwane policing area of Gauteng, South Africa

Abstract

Community Policing plays a pivotal role both nationally and internally in assisting to bring down the crime rate in neighbourhoods affected by high crime rates. The purpose of this study is to explain how community policing can help in addressing the crime problems in the South West Tshwane policing area in Gauteng. I conducted interviews, observation and reviewed literature to understand the nature and extent of criminality in different communities on how community policing can assist in addressing the criminological perspectives that impact on criminality in these communities. The study showed that the police alone cannot solve the crime problems and behaviour patterns of the criminals on their own, there has to be a multidisciplinary approach where all stakeholders are involved to ensure a safer and secure South Africa for all.