turf war between the Americans and the Mongrels.

Police swooped on the gang-infested area in Cape Town by car, foot and horseback as part of a new province-wide crackdown on gang-related crime.

There were warrants of arrest in three cases for the man the police detained. They declined to release more details.

Yesterday's raid came after two murders in the area last month, amid a turf war between the Americans and the Mongrels.

Police believe increasing gang violence on the Cape Flats is due to a police crackdown on drug-trafficking that they say has caused a shortage.

While the raid focused on Hanover Park and Philippi area, police said they would conduct similar operations throughout the city at the command of provincial commissioner Arno Lamoer.

"This won't be the last of this type of operation," said Major-General Robbie Roberts. "This type of operation will be taking place in other police clusters as well."

In March, police locked down part of Albert Road in Salt River in a major sting. But they arrested only two illegal immigrants and seized counterfeit DVDs and cigarettes, skin-lightening cream and two stolen DVD players.

Hanover Park resident Shane Goliath, 22, witnessed yesterday's raid. "I didn't see them arrest anyone, but they were searching for people who looked suspicious and searching cars," Goliath said. "There are all kinds of different gangsters around here."

While Goliath appreciated the police presence, he said: "It's really unsafe for youngsters here. I don't think things are going to change."

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