Festive season safety plans are underway and visible policing will be the key to curbing crime during this period, Gauteng MEC for safety Firoz Cachalia said yesterday.

Festive season safety plans are underway and visible policing will be the key to curbing crime during this period, Gauteng MEC for safety Firoz Cachalia said yesterday.

Briefing the media in Johannesburg on festive season policing, he said crime blitz operations, roadblocks and searches would be conducted throughout Gauteng.

"To enhance safety, the police will work closely with the Metro police and the SA National Defence Force across the province."

This was as a result of an increase in serious and social crimes such as murder, rape and assault during the festive season, said Cachalia.

"Robberies also tend to increase as criminals take advantage of bumper spending," he said. - Sapa