Hillbrow Crime Statistics

Hillbrow, Johannesburg, Gauteng — Latest SAPS Crime Data

F18/100

Very High Risk

Total Crimes

4,635

-6.6% vs 2024

Crime Rate

5,404

per 100k

Safety Score

18/100

Grade F — Very High Risk

Population

114,363

Crime Breakdown — Hillbrow (2025)

Crime Category	Group	Cases	% of Total
Common assault	contact	807	17.4%
Commercial Crime	other-serious	743	16.0%
All theft not mentioned elsewhere	other-serious	703	15.2%
Other aggravated robbery	other-serious	701	15.1%
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs	detected	520	11.2%
Common robbery	contact	509	11.0%
Drug-Related Crime	detected	367	7.9%
Assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm	contact	356	7.7%
Theft out of or from motor vehicle	property	265	5.7%
Malicious damage to property	contact-related	208	4.5%
Rape	contact	135	2.9%
Shoplifting	other-serious	133	2.9%
Theft of motor vehicle and motorcycle	property	105	2.3%
Murder	contact	84	1.8%
Illegal possession of firearms and ammunition	detected	68	1.5%
Attempted murder	contact	64	1.4%
Kidnapping	contact	61	1.3%
Burglary at residential premises	property	57	1.2%
Carjacking	contact	56	1.2%
Burglary at non-residential premises	property	47	1.0%
Robbery at non-residential premises	contact	44	0.9%
Neglect and ill-treatment of children	contact	39	0.8%
Sexual Assault	contact	33	0.7%
Crimen Injuria	contact-related	32	0.7%
Robbery at residential premises	contact	21	0.5%
Culpable homicide	other-serious	16	0.3%
Attempted Sexual Offences	contact	3	0.1%
Arson	contact-related	1	0.0%
Contact Sexual Offences	contact	1	0.0%
Abduction	contact	0	0.0%
Bank Robbery	contact	0	0.0%
Public violence	contact-related	0	0.0%
Robbery of cash in transit	contact	0	0.0%
Sexual offences detected as a result of police action	detected	0	0.0%
Stock Theft	property	0	0.0%
Truck hijacking	contact	0	0.0%

Hillbrow Crime Trend (2018-2025)

Hillbrow Crime Breakdown (2025)

Is Hillbrow Safe?

No, Hillbrow has high crime levels.

Hillbrow scores 18/100 on our safety index, earning a Grade F (Very High Risk). The crime rate in Hillbrow is 5,404 per 100,000 people, significantly above the national average. Take extra precautions in Hillbrow, particularly after dark, and be aware of the predominant crime types in the area.

vs National Average

+76%

Well above average

Year-on-Year

-6.6%

Crime decreasing

Top Crime

Common assault

17% of all crime

Rank in Johannesburg

37/42

Among highest risk

Crime breakdown in Hillbrow

In 2025, Hillbrow recorded 4,635 total crimes. The most prevalent crime in Hillbrow is Common assault with 807 reported cases (17.4% of all crime in Hillbrow), followed by Commercial Crime at 743 cases (16.0%) and All theft not mentioned elsewhere at 703 cases (15.2%).

Compared to 2024, crime in Hillbrow has decreased by 6.6%, a positive sign for the Hillbrow community.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common crimes in Hillbrow?

The most reported crimes in Hillbrow are Common assault (807 cases), Commercial Crime (743 cases), All theft not mentioned elsewhere (703 cases). These figures are based on 2025 SAPS data.

How does Hillbrow compare to other areas in Johannesburg?

Hillbrow has a crime rate of 5,404 per 100k. Compared to other precincts in Johannesburg, Fairland is safer with a rate of 766 per 100k.

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Other Precincts in Johannesburg

Precinct	Population	Crimes	Rate	Safety
Fairland	114,363	657	766	B (78)
Rosebank	114,363	740	863	B (76)
Parkview	114,363	1,205	1,405	C (64)
Langlaagte	114,363	1,214	1,416	C (64)
Naledi	114,363	1,456	1,697	C (57)
Yeoville	114,363	1,559	1,818	C (55)
Norwood	114,363	1,604	1,870	C (54)
Doornkop	114,363	1,751	2,042	C (51)
Sandringham	114,363	1,790	2,087	C (50)
Lenasia South	114,363	1,849	2,155	D (49)