Plettenberg Bay Crime Statistics

Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route, Western Cape — Latest SAPS Crime Data

F19/100

Very High Risk

Total Crimes

1,510

+17.9% vs 2024

Crime Rate

5,042

per 100k

Safety Score

19/100

Grade F — Very High Risk

Population

39,927

Crime Breakdown — Plettenberg Bay (2025)

Crime Category	Group	Cases	% of Total
Drug-Related Crime	detected	255	16.9%
All theft not mentioned elsewhere	other-serious	235	15.6%
Commercial Crime	other-serious	233	15.4%
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs	detected	227	15.0%
Burglary at residential premises	property	204	13.5%
Common assault	contact	203	13.4%
Assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm	contact	197	13.0%
Malicious damage to property	contact-related	120	7.9%
Theft out of or from motor vehicle	property	81	5.4%
Shoplifting	other-serious	57	3.8%
Burglary at non-residential premises	property	55	3.6%
Crimen Injuria	contact-related	37	2.5%
Rape	contact	21	1.4%
Other aggravated robbery	other-serious	13	0.9%
Sexual Assault	contact	13	0.9%
Common robbery	contact	11	0.7%
Arson	contact-related	9	0.6%
Culpable homicide	other-serious	7	0.5%
Murder	contact	5	0.3%
Neglect and ill-treatment of children	contact	5	0.3%
Robbery at residential premises	contact	5	0.3%
Theft of motor vehicle and motorcycle	property	5	0.3%
Attempted Sexual Offences	contact	4	0.3%
Illegal possession of firearms and ammunition	detected	3	0.2%
Attempted murder	contact	1	0.1%
Contact Sexual Offences	contact	1	0.1%
Kidnapping	contact	1	0.1%
Public violence	contact-related	1	0.1%
Robbery at non-residential premises	contact	1	0.1%
Abduction	contact	0	0.0%
Bank Robbery	contact	0	0.0%
Carjacking	contact	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%

Plettenberg Bay Crime Trend (2018-2025)

Plettenberg Bay Crime Breakdown (2025)

Is Plettenberg Bay Safe?

No, Plettenberg Bay has high crime levels.

Plettenberg Bay scores 19/100 on our safety index, earning a Grade F (Very High Risk). The crime rate in Plettenberg Bay is 5,042 per 100,000 people, significantly above the national average. Take extra precautions in Plettenberg Bay, particularly after dark, and be aware of the predominant crime types in the area.

vs National Average

+64%

Well above average

Year-on-Year

+17.9%

Crime increasing

Top Crime

Drug-Related Crime

17% of all crime

Rank in Garden Route

14/21

Mid-range

Crime breakdown in Plettenberg Bay

In 2025, Plettenberg Bay recorded 1,510 total crimes. The most prevalent crime in Plettenberg Bay is Drug-Related Crime with 255 reported cases (16.9% of all crime in Plettenberg Bay), followed by All theft not mentioned elsewhere at 235 cases (15.6%) and Commercial Crime at 233 cases (15.4%).

Compared to 2024, crime in Plettenberg Bay has increased by 17.9%, indicating a worsening trend for the Plettenberg Bay area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common crimes in Plettenberg Bay?

The most reported crimes in Plettenberg Bay are Drug-Related Crime (255 cases), All theft not mentioned elsewhere (235 cases), Commercial Crime (233 cases). These figures are based on 2025 SAPS data.

How does Plettenberg Bay compare to other areas in Garden Route?

Plettenberg Bay has a crime rate of 5,042 per 100k. Compared to other precincts in Garden Route, De Rust is safer with a rate of 1,034 per 100k.

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Other Precincts in Garden Route

Precinct	Population	Crimes	Rate	Safety
De Rust	39,927	310	1,034	B (72)
Still Bay	39,927	441	1,473	C (62)
Calitzdorp	39,927	484	1,615	C (59)
Uniondale	39,927	535	1,786	C (56)
Riversdale	39,927	655	2,186	D (49)
Groot Brakrivier	39,927	667	2,227	D (48)
Dysselsdorp	39,927	724	2,417	D (45)
Heidelberg(C)	39,927	792	2,645	D (43)
Kwanokuthula	39,927	853	2,848	D (39)
Albertinia	39,927	889	2,968	D (38)