The police presence was ramped up in Westbury and Newclare‚ west of Johannesburg‚ on Thursday‚ as the community protests against crime in the area. In an anonymous message circulated on Whatsapp and Facebook‚ residents of the neighbourhoods were warned not to go to work or school. Though some were seen leaving the area on Thursday morning‚ two Westbury schools had received no students.Police spokesperson in Sophiatown Lieutenant-Colonel Julia Claassen said that a contingency plan had been put in place to deal with any problems on Thursday.“We are also investigating the Whatsapp messages and we believe we are close to finding the source. We have referred it to our legal department. Members have been deployed [on the streets] and additional manpower has been employed.”Newclare and Westbury are traditionally known to be rife with drugs and gangs.Tamboekie Court‚ Percy Peffer and Florida Avenue have become the most notorious drug circles‚ where people constantly live in fear‚ as gunshots at night have become a norm‚ according to the Randburg Sun.The latest crime statistics show 16 murders occurred and a further 86 attempted murders were reported at the Sophiatown police station for the year. A total of 1‚515 drug-related crimes were committed during 2014/15‚ the local newspaper reported.Democratic Alliance shadow MEC on safety and security Kate Lorimer said the problem has recently escalated.“What I have heard is that people in the community know who is doing it and that police are not acting. I don't know if that's true.“They're running scared‚ that community‚ at the moment. They feel like they're being held hostage by thugs‚” she said.Lt-Col Claassen said a task team has been set up to address recent shootings in the area.On Wednesday night‚ two people were shot in Newclare. They were shot in their legs and are both stable.Sophiatown Police Station commander Brigadier Susan Crafford said that shootings in Westbury flared up last week with five incidents.“Since last week Monday a case of intimidation between two families was opened. After the case was opened‚ the shooting started.”Brig Crafford said one firearm has been recovered and one arrest has been made.No protesters had yet gathered at Sophiatown Police Station on Thursday morning. One of the objectives of the strike‚ according to the anonymous notice‚ is to close the station.Crafford said that the strike notice that had gone out in the community was irresponsible. Police were forced to call in reinforcements in case the strike went ahead‚ but with no protesters gathered yet‚ it may end up being a waste of taxpayers' money‚ she said.“We are going to open a docket and see who is behind everything (the protest).”..