Woodstock Crackdown Sees 23 Arrests Ahead Of Cape Town Cycle Tour

A multi-disciplinary police operation on the Lower Church Street bridge in Woodstock has resulted in 23 arrests as authorities ramp up efforts to prevent robberies ahead of the Cape Town Cycle Tour .

The operation, conducted by Woodstock police in collaboration with City law enforcement, targeted areas frequently used by cyclists during the summer months, particularly those training for the upcoming race on Sunday. According to police spokesperson Frederick van Wyk, the operation yielded multiple successes, including the arrest of 23 undocumented individuals and two suspects linked to drug-related offences. Both of the drug-related suspects were also found to be undocumented.

'These operations will continue,' said Van Wyk, highlighting the increased law enforcement presence in hotspots where cyclists have been targeted by criminals in the past. Last month, a strategic police patrol in the area led to the arrest of a suspect connected to a cyclist robbery.

Woodstock Crime Prevention Unit officers have been deployed in civilian clothing to conduct foot patrols in these high-risk zones, a tactic that has already produced results. In a previous incident, a mugger attempted to rob a cyclist, unaware that his target was an off-duty police officer. The suspect was swiftly apprehended, as reported by IOL .

Meanwhile, in an unrelated operation in Delft, two women were arrested after officers seized a large stash of illegal firearms, ammunition, and drugs. Delft Crime Prevention Unit members, acting on intelligence, raided a premises in Balelas Street, N2 Gateway, at approximately 10:30am on Wednesday.