Southern suburbs crime statistics reveal troubling trends in theft and assault

Cape Town’s latest quarterly crime statistics show a complex picture across the province, with parts of the southern suburbs experiencing an increase in theft and sexual assault cases.

The quarterly crime statistics reflect crimes that occurred during the first and second quarters of the current financial year, from April to September.

Premier Alan Winde said that, when comparing the 2024 and 2025 reports, murder rates in the combined Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) areas – including Delft, Gugulethu, Khayelitsha, Mitchell’s Plain, Nyanga, and Philippi East – fell by 9.4%, while across the province they rose by 9.1%.

Crimes in the southern suburbs, however, tell a different story. Woodstock police recorded 136 cases of theft out of motor vehicles, down from 138 last year, but theft of motor vehicles and motorcycles increased to 32 cases from 25. Sexual assault in the area also rose from one case last year to four this year.

At Claremont, theft of motor vehicles and motorcycles rose to 17 cases from 12 last year, while theft out of motor vehicles and motorcycles increased to 120 cases from 106. Sexual assault cases doubled to four from two during the same period last year.

Premier Winde emphasised the importance of these statistics as a guide for law enforcement priorities, saying the decreases in LEAP areas demonstrate the impact of focused policing initiatives, while the increases in southern suburbs crime highlight areas needing targeted intervention.

“While I am outraged and disturbed by the murder rates in the province and across the country, we can see that cooperative and locally-managed policing programmes are reducing murder rates and urgently need to be funded by the national government for implementation in every single policing precinct," he said.

Claremont Community Policing Forum (CPF) chairperson, Carla Williams said they have noted the increase in theft of motor vehicles rising from last year to this year.

“We are engaging with Claremont police to explore targeted patrols in high-risk areas, as well as renewed awareness campaigns encouraging residents to make use of steering locks and other visible deterrents, which continue to be effective,” she said.

Ms Williams said the increase in theft out of motor vehicles from last year to this year remains one of the challenges in our precinct.

“These crimes are highly opportunistic, and many incidents still involve vehicles left with valuables in plain sight,” she said, adding that the increase in sexual assault cases was concerning.

“While the numbers may appear small, each case represents a serious and traumatic offence. We encourage continued reporting, as this allows police and Victim Support to respond effectively,” she said.

Rondebosch police recorded 58 cases of theft from motor vehicles and motorcycles, up from 47 last year, while theft of motor vehicles and motorcycles remained unchanged at 20 cases.

Rondebosch Community Improvement District (RCID) manager, Kas Chandramohan said remote jamming remains a concern in their area.

“The RCID has increased closed-circuit television (CCTV) coverage and communication, but personal vigilance is essential,” she said.

Ms Chandramohan said that as the holiday season is here, they encourage residents to keep visible lights on, ensure alarm batteries and inverters are functioning, arrange a trusted house-sitter if possible, and service security systems before travelling.

She encourages residents to report all their crime cases, big or small, as it will help Rondebosch police identify crime patterns in the area.

At the Pinelands police precinct, theft from motor vehicles and motorcycles increased to 58 cases, up from 49 last year.