THE Western Cape government says it is keeping track of crime in the province, particularly murders, by collecting statistics from mortuaries.

Ahead of tomorrow's expected release of national crime statistics, Premier Helen Zille said mortuary statistics were telling, particularly in instances where there have been forensic investigations.

"For instance ... most deaths in Nyanga are alcohol-related and that is a huge piece of strategic information in formulating strategies to deal with a crisis."

Zille once again called for the return of specialised police units, saying they had achieved great success in the past and that her suggestion was backed up by the National Development Plan.

An official from the provincial department of community safety said mortuary statistics had indicated that 2290 people were murdered last year in Western Cape - 87% men and 63% of the victims between the ages of 18 and 35.

The department was using these statistics to make sure the justice system dealt adequately with perpetrators.

According to the provincial government 84% of murders in five hot spot areas had concluded in acquittals.

"What we have to do is analyse crime in great detail so we knows when it happens, and crucially, where it happens and try to find out why it happens," said Zille.

Zille said like in Marikana, the army should be deployed to parts of the Cape Flats where gang warfare has turned neighbourhoods into no-go zones.

In August President Jacob Zuma denied Zille's request for the army to be deployed, stating police had adopted a five-point strategy to deal with gang violence.

Zille's request to Zuma's office for the detailed implementation plan has been met with silence.

Zille said areas badly affected by crime were often those which had numerous developmental needs.

"Education, healthcare, social development, economic growth and job creation, and we've got a very limited budget so the more we spend on things that are avoidable the less we have to spend on all the critical development issues."