Safest Suburbs in East London
Looking for the safest areas in East London? Based on the latest SAPS crime statistics (2025), these are the East London suburbs with the lowest crime rates, ranked from safest to least safe across all 24 police precincts.
All East London Suburbs Ranked by Safety
| Rank | Precinct | Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Safety Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Berlin | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 2 | King William's Town | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 3 | Macleantown | 591 | 199 | A |
| 4 | Chalumna | 603 | 244 | A |
| 5 | Ntabozuko | 746 | 199 | B |
| 6 | Tamara | 943 | 480 | B |
| 7 | Punzana | 955 | 453 | B |
| 8 | Kidds Beach | 972 | 386 | B |
| 9 | Ndevana | 1,880 | 864 | C |
| 10 | Zele | 1,922 | 896 | C |
| 11 | Bhisho | 2,557 | 859 | D |
| 12 | Scenery Park | 2,882 | 1,415 | D |
| 13 | Gonubie | 3,108 | 1,110 | D |
| 14 | Beacon Bay | 3,497 | 918 | F |
| 15 | Buffalo Flats | 3,595 | 1,592 | F |
| 16 | Inyibiba | 3,630 | 1,504 | F |
| 17 | Dimbaza | 3,868 | 1,755 | F |
| 18 | Vulindlela | 3,940 | 1,627 | F |
| 19 | Zwelitsha | 3,996 | 1,656 | F |
| 20 | Duncan Village | 4,479 | 2,188 | F |
| 21 | Mdantsane | 8,670 | 3,000 | F |
| 22 | Qonce | 8,790 | 2,449 | F |
| 23 | Cambridge | 10,510 | 2,143 | F |
| 24 | East London | 13,331 | 4,033 | F |
Crime rate = reported crimes per 100,000 people. Source: SAPS 2025.
Is East London Safe to Live In?
Safety in East London varies significantly depending on the suburb. Of the 24 police precincts in East London, 6 are rated A or B (Safe to Very Safe), while 14 are rated D or F (High Risk to Very High Risk).
The safest suburb is Berlin with a crime rate of just 0 per 100,000 and a safety grade of N/A (Insufficient Data). In contrast, East London has the highest crime rate at 13,331 per 100,000, earning a grade of F (Very High Risk).
When choosing where to live in East London, look for suburbs with an A or B safety rating. The top three safest areas are Berlin, King William's Town, Macleantown — all with crime rates well below the city average.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the safest suburb in East London?
Based on the latest SAPS crime statistics (2025), Berlin is the safest suburb in East London with a crime rate of 0 per 100,000 people and a safety grade of N/A (Insufficient Data).
Is East London safe to live in?
East London has 24 police precincts with safety scores ranging from N/A (Berlin) to F (East London). 6 precincts are rated Safe or Very Safe, while 14 are rated High Risk or worse. Safety varies significantly by suburb.
What are the top 3 safest areas in East London?
The three safest areas in East London are Berlin (0 per 100k), King William's Town (0 per 100k), Macleantown (591 per 100k).