Cape Town Central Crime Statistics

Cape Town Central, Cape Town, Western Cape — Latest SAPS Crime Data

F1/100

Very High Risk

Total Crimes

12,137

-0.7% vs 2024

Crime Rate

21,361

per 100k

Safety Score

1/100

Grade F — Very High Risk

Population

75,759

Crime Breakdown — Cape Town Central (2025)

Crime Category	Group	Cases	% of Total
Drug-Related Crime	detected	5,577	46.0%
All theft not mentioned elsewhere	other-serious	3,199	26.4%
Theft out of or from motor vehicle	property	1,824	15.0%
Commercial Crime	other-serious	1,392	11.5%
Common robbery	contact	1,360	11.2%
Common assault	contact	651	5.4%
Other aggravated robbery	other-serious	496	4.1%
Shoplifting	other-serious	320	2.6%
Malicious damage to property	contact-related	284	2.3%
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs	detected	229	1.9%
Burglary at residential premises	property	211	1.7%
Theft of motor vehicle and motorcycle	property	156	1.3%
Assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm	contact	113	0.9%
Burglary at non-residential premises	property	96	0.8%
Crimen Injuria	contact-related	80	0.7%
Rape	contact	64	0.5%
Sexual Assault	contact	32	0.3%
Illegal possession of firearms and ammunition	detected	20	0.2%
Kidnapping	contact	16	0.1%
Carjacking	contact	12	0.1%
Attempted murder	contact	11	0.1%
Robbery at non-residential premises	contact	8	0.1%
Contact Sexual Offences	contact	7	0.1%
Culpable homicide	other-serious	7	0.1%
Robbery at residential premises	contact	7	0.1%
Murder	contact	5	0.0%
Arson	contact-related	4	0.0%
Sexual offences detected as a result of police action	detected	3	0.0%
Abduction	contact	0	0.0%
Attempted Sexual Offences	contact	0	0.0%
Bank Robbery	contact	0	0.0%
Neglect and ill-treatment of children	contact	0	0.0%
Public violence	contact-related	0	0.0%
Robbery of cash in transit	contact	0	0.0%
Stock Theft	property	0	0.0%
Truck hijacking	contact	0	0.0%

Cape Town Central Crime Trend (2018-2025)

Cape Town Central Crime Breakdown (2025)

Is Cape Town Central Safe?

No, Cape Town Central has high crime levels.

Cape Town Central scores 1/100 on our safety index, earning a Grade F (Very High Risk). The crime rate in Cape Town Central is 21,361 per 100,000 people, significantly above the national average. Take extra precautions in Cape Town Central, particularly after dark, and be aware of the predominant crime types in the area.

vs National Average

+596%

Well above average

Year-on-Year

-0.7%

Relatively stable

Top Crime

Drug-Related Crime

46% of all crime

Rank in Cape Town

63/63

Among highest risk

Crime breakdown in Cape Town Central

In 2025, Cape Town Central recorded 12,137 total crimes. The most prevalent crime in Cape Town Central is Drug-Related Crime with 5,577 reported cases (46.0% of all crime in Cape Town Central), followed by All theft not mentioned elsewhere at 3,199 cases (26.4%) and Theft out of or from motor vehicle at 1,824 cases (15.0%).

Compared to 2024, crime in Cape Town Central has decreased by 0.7%, a positive sign for the Cape Town Central community.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common crimes in Cape Town Central?

The most reported crimes in Cape Town Central are Drug-Related Crime (5,577 cases), All theft not mentioned elsewhere (3,199 cases), Theft out of or from motor vehicle (1,824 cases). These figures are based on 2025 SAPS data.

How does Cape Town Central compare to other areas in Cape Town?

Cape Town Central has a crime rate of 21,361 per 100k. Compared to other precincts in Cape Town, Philadelphia is safer with a rate of 602 per 100k.

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Other Precincts in Cape Town

Precinct	Population	Crimes	Rate	Safety
Philadelphia	75,759	342	602	A (83)
Melkbosstrand	75,759	380	669	A (81)
Simon's Town	75,759	385	677	A (81)
Camps Bay	75,759	400	704	A (80)
Table Bay Harbour	75,759	512	902	B (75)
Mowbray	75,759	615	1,082	B (70)
Strandfontein	75,759	678	1,193	B (69)
Rondebosch	75,759	728	1,282	B (67)
Gordons Bay	75,759	814	1,432	C (64)
Ocean View	75,759	859	1,511	C (61)