e recent spate of criminal activity over the past few months in Woodstock, University Estate and Walmer Estate has left residents worried and unsafe. Residents have reported a rise in criminal activities include burglaries, robberies and murders.

This week, a bystander alerted the police to the body of a 30 year old woman. The dead body was found half stripped with head injuries on the corner of Rhodes Avenue in Upper Woodstock on Monday. The woman was declared dead by medical personnel on the scene. Circumstances surrounding the death is unknown and are being investigated

“The deceased was dressed in blue clothing, a blue scarf and blue t-shirt with dread locks. She can still not be identified,” said Woodstock Station Commissioner Sergeant Hilton Malila.

The second incident occurred when residents were altered by a scream of a woman who was being robbed by two men in Upper Mountain road as she waited on the MyCiti bus on Thursday. They reported the incident on Facebook on the University Estate Residents’ Association Facebook page.

“At around 7:30pm this evening we heard a woman screaming. My husband went to check what was happening. A woman waiting for the MyCiti Bus stop in Upper Mountain Road was robbed by two men who came walking down the road. Her bag, cellphone and bank cards were taken. She was unable to say what race the men were as it had happened so quick,” said resident Ameena Hoosen.

Members of the community have united in outrage and fear to speak out against these crimes and make others aware of them via social networking.

“What is happening to our beautiful area which was once safe,” said Hoosen.

“This is terrible. I note a lot of people have been joining this page lately. I hope they are also joining the neighbourhood watch (U-Watch, check their page) and will be attending the AGM,” wrote Amy Grainger.

“A person has to be scared to walk in the road. You can barely walk to your car or front gate without being targeted by burglars,” Bennie Petersen.

“People don’t have consideration for the next person any more. In the old days we had it off better and we could be outside all day,” Grainger.

“We have to be too afraid to let our children play outside. People can break into our homes. So either way indoors or outdoors we are at risk of being a victim of crime,” added Frans Oosyenhuisen.

Woodstock Police confirmed that a murder and a robbery case were open but are still under investigation.

There are no suspects at present.

People are urged to join the neighbourhood watch U-Watch. The neighbourhood watch services the community by liaising with the police when there are incidences of crime in the area.

“Currently with 350 members the neighbourhood watch is aimed at creating a sense of community by having members looking out for each other. Being observant, communicating and reporting any suspicious behaviour all aids in the prevention of crime and creates good neighbourliness. We work in conjunction with local SAPS and security companies ADT and C.B.A.R. to create an effective security network in our neighbourhood,” says security company liaison Mark Finch. VOC (Nailah Cornelissen)