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The new crime figures indicate that violent crime continues to decline, although violent acquisitive crime (robbery) is on the increase. However, these broad national trends conceal vast regional differences, including the continued growth of crime in the Western Cape. And a close look at some of the new figures suggest that crime recording rules continue to be refined in the post-moratorium period, Ted Leggett expands on the results.

The information contained in the article by Duxita Mistry is drawn primarily from research conducted by the Committee of Inquiry into Farm Attacks. The mandate of this Committee was to investigate the motive for farm attacks. To this end the Committee interviewed investigating officers, victims, offenders and prosecutors.

Millicent Maroga discusses sector policing and community policing forums. In its efforts to address crime the South African Police Service is increasingly focused on the implementation of sector policing. This is a strategy that calls for a more focused approach to policing at the local level, and includes the establishment of sector policing forums.

One of the international debates that occupy academics, policy makers and civil society at large is, undoubtedly, the pluralisation and/or privatisation of security and policing. At the centre of this debate is the inability of states to serve the security needs of their citizens. Boyane Tshehla examines Private security via road closures.

Cheryl Frank gives a critical overview of social crime prevention in South Africa. While much activity has been noted, particularly among civil society organisations, the generation and utilisation of information is an area of weakness. Key questions remain: how to promote government accountability for service delivery, and how crime prevention advocates engage with issues such as human rights and the strengthening of democracy.

Duxita Mistry and Anthony Minnaar write a follow up to a previous article dealing with the role of the police in declaring a person unfit to possess or own a firearm. Similarly, it draws on a study that examined how the criminal justice system excluded unfit persons from firearm ownership; the primary legal means being sections 11 and 12 of the old Arms and Ammunition Act, no. 75 of 1969. Section 12(1) refers to persons who are automatically declared unfit due to a conviction for a crime involving a firearm.

Crystal methamphetamine is a drug with a high addiction potential that can elicit bizarre and aggressive behaviour. Preliminary research with gang members on the Cape Flats suggests that the drug may be growing in that community. If so, this is an issue for law enforcement to watch, because speed and violent criminals are not a good combination.Ted Leggett investigates.