DURBAN'S metro police say they have stopped several people from performing sexual acts on the beaches during this festive season.

DURBAN'S metro police say they have stopped several people from performing sexual acts on the beaches during this festive season.

About 34 couples were arrested and fined for engaging in sexual intercourse on Durban beaches last year.

Metro police spokesman Eugene Msomi said this year they have installed CCTV cameras that follow any suspicious activity.

"There have been fewer warnings and arrests compared with past years at the same period. This is largely due to these cameras. Our officers at the control rooms use loudhailers once they see a couple taking off their clothes. They tell them to stop.

"We are doing this to prevent people from getting arrested and going into cells because we are reserving cells for people committing more serious crimes. We have also increased the number of officers policing the beaches," Msomi said.

He added that thousands of people visited the beaches on Reconciliation Day (December 16) despite rainy and cold weather.

Msomi said 56 children got lost while 26 spent the night at an overnight facility on Tuesday.

"We are very concerned with the irresponsible behaviour of some of the parents/guardians.

"Our approach has been to try our best to educate our visitors about their legal responsibility in terms of the Child Act."

He said children should be warned against the dangers of separating from their parents. "And yes, we will be charging those [parents] who fail to heed our warnings," Msomi said.

He said the police officers were also warning people against going to the beaches with alcohol.

newsdesk@sowetan.co.za

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