THE LONG arm of the law reached deep into every district of the Northern Cape recently as the police launched a no-nonsense crackdown on crime that saw more than 240 suspects hauled off to the cells.

Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said that from March 24 to 30, the province-wide blitz - Operation Shanela - swept through all five districts, targeting criminals with an arsenal of tactics that included roadblocks, stop-and-search operations, and high-visibility patrols.

The results? A staggering 244 suspects arrested for crimes ranging from drug dealing, murder, rape and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, to burglary and copper cable theft. Among them were fugitives who thought they could outrun justice - until detective tracing teams caught up with them.

More than 8,500 people and over 4,400 vehicles were stopped and searched as the police ensured more “boots on the ground”. Officers also swooped on shady liquor outlets, scrapyards, second-hand goods dealers, and informal traders in a bid to clamp down on unregulated business activities.

By the end of the week, 40 illegal liquor outlets had been shut down, hundreds of litres of booze were poured down the drain, and large quantities of home-brewed concoctions were destroyed. Drugs, stolen copper cable, and even a suspected stolen vehicle were also seized.

But it wasn’t just about arrests. The police also used the opportunity to engage with communities, running awareness campaigns in partnership with other government departments. These outreach efforts aimed to tackle emerging crime trends, offer safety advice, and build stronger ties with residents.

Colonel Ehlers emphasised that the province’s police leadership has vowed to keep the momentum going, promising more high-impact operations in the weeks to come. Residents are urged to report criminal activity anonymously via the MySAPS app or by calling Crime Stop on 08600 10111.