Mafikeng - The North West police have arrested 8 580 people for various crimes through Operation Festive Season which began on 1 October 2008 until January this year.
Provincial police spokesperson Superintendent Lesegotold BuaNews on Thursday that the arrests were made before Christmas and after the new year period.
"The Operation Festive Season in the province nabbed 8 580 persons for various crimes since its inception in October last year to date.
"A total number of 3 103 suspects were arrested during the first phase of the operation which was before Christmas," he said.
Another 5 000 people, he said, were arrested during the Christmas and new year period.
Most of the arrests made was for violent crimes such as assault with the intention to cause grievous bodily harm which was 1 184.
Common assaults were standing at 502 whereas arrests made for rape was 240.
Another 310 people were arrested for housebreaking, 109 for shoplifting and theft as well as 101 people for public violence.
Mr Metsi highlighted that other arrests were for offences such as driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, which totalled 148 arrests on the roads across the province.
He further said 30 people were arrested for the illegal possession of firearms and ammunitions. Another 14 people were arrested for the illegal possession of explosives.
Other arrests included 28 people being caught for theft of motor vehicles and 38 people for theft of belongings from motor vehicles.
The province also recorded a decrease in the number of road deaths during the festive season, he said.
"The road deaths decreased from 114 deaths in 2007-2008 to 70 in the corresponding period in 2008-2009."
Mr Metsi said the operation went on well and contributed a lot to the decrease of road deaths that occurred every festive season.
"We have worked hard during this festive season in making sure that we protect our people and all those who visited the province.
"We have made a number of achievements, saved lives and ensured that all the people behave according to the laws of our country," he said.
During the operations, Superintendent Metsi said, a number of suspects wanted for court warrants and warrants of arrests were also arrested.
He highlighted that with the help of the Department of Home Affairs and the South African Revenue Services, 662 undocumented persons from foreign countries were also put behind bars since the beginning of Operation Festive Season.
"More than 8 000 fines were issued for contravention of various laws and just over 2 000 fines were issued under the Road Traffic Act during roadblocks and traffic patrols."
Mr Metsi said they have also confiscated more than 400 suspected stolen cell phones and more than 5 000 grams of dagga, and 124 dagga plants were seized. Other drugs such as ecstasy, cocaine and CAT were also seized.
The North West police have thanked the people in the province and the visitors who have co-operated with them to maintain order in the province
