“During summer we are more likely to see an increase than in winter or other times of the year. The reason is that these kids see opportunities when our area is busy. For example, during the summer months they come to act as car guards. It used to be adults, but now children are doing this as well.

“While we’ve not had complaints from residents about this I think it’s one of the items we will have to discuss in the meeting. We need to find a functional way forward, an intervention that works,” Steinau said.

The CID in Sea Point expressed concern about the increasing number of street children allegedly engaging in criminal activities. At the beginning of the month, we reported an increase in incidents of alleged “chain snatching” by children in Sea Point.

Sea Point CID chairperson Jacques Weber said they would be tabling their concerns with the City’s safety and security directorate and police.

“We urgently call for intervention by the authorities and the Western Cape Department of Social Development. Until such action is taken, we will hold our elected public representatives accountable. We are committed to ensuring that the Sea Point Business District remains safe for residents and visitors to walk freely,” he said.

The Camps Bay knife attack was the third known incident to date, according to Mayco member for safety and security JP Smith, who said the City had information suggesting that a group of children new to the area were behind the incidents.

The Western Cape Department of Social Development said if children younger than 18 were arrested, the Child Justice Act made provision for the procedures to be followed by the police, National Prosecuting Authority and Social Development Department.