South African police officers have a dangerous job

The comments of Johannesburg-based Business Against Crime group come after the country's latest crime figures showed a sharp rise in armed robberies.

Although rape and murder rates had fallen, the organisation said the overall crime rate had to be reduced, especially ahead of the 2010 World Cup.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu warned this week that the country had lost its way.

Scaring away tourists

The South African Police Service said that attacks on cash delivery vans had increased by 74% between April 2005 and March 2006, while armed robberies of shopping malls and other retail outlets had jumped 32%.

"I have a real feeling that the growth in criminal activity will keep rising," said Business Against Crime chief executive Siphiwe Nzimande.

"If that continued to be the pattern over some years it means South Africa [would] become a less safe place to do business. We need to fix it."

HAVE YOUR SAY We've mistaken political freedom for licence and embraced the West's worst vices Arthur Williamson, Johannesburg Send us your experiences

This week alone, there was a shootout between robbers and security guards at the upmarket Cresta Shopping Centre in Johannesburg.

"There is an increase in crime, but people are always talking about it," said Pablo Tesoriero, the owner of a women's clothing store.

"Especially with the World Cup coming here in 2010, we don't want to push away tourists."