The City of Cape Town has again urged the public to stop buying City-branded blue refuse bags from street vendors.

This after City Traffic Officers arrested three suspects for possession of suspected stolen property in Kenilworth earlier this week.

Officers were monitoring the intersection, when the suspects arrived to sell their wares.

They were arrested after being found in possession of City of Cape Town blue bags.

Officers handed in a total of 310 blue refuse bags found in the suspects’ possession, as evidence.

These bags are clearly marked as City property and are used for area cleaning, illegal dumping, street sweeping, litter picking and the green litter bins.

The City says the theft of these bags is a longstanding issue, with sporadic arrests made over the years.

The City says it loses millions each year due to criminal acts like theft or vandalism of property and infrastructure – but residents can assist, by blowing the whistle on these criminals.

Crime and by-law offences can be reported anonymously, 24-hours a day, on 0800 110077.

The City says all information is welcomed, but a reward can only be paid if the City’s policing resources achieve an operational result that directly relates to information received, like arrests or the confiscation of stolen goods.

If a person is caught to be unlawfully in possession of blue refuse bags, they can be criminally charged with possession of stolen property.

The maximum sanction that the courts have imposed thus far on a person found guilty of possession of stolen blue bags is a R5 000 fine.