Crime Rates in Johannesburg South Africa: A Look at the Numbers

Background

Between 2005 and 2015, the City of Johannesburg saw major improvement in its objective crime. This was due in part to the implementation of a number of crime prevention initiatives, such as increased police visibility, community policing, and improved street lighting.

Current Trends

However, in recent years, crime rates in Johannesburg have begun to rise again. According to new data released by Statistics South Africa, household crime increased by 4.2% in 2022/23. This increase was driven by a rise in burglaries and robberies.

Factors Contributing to the Rise in Crime

There are a number of factors that are contributing to the rise in crime in Johannesburg. These include:

• High levels of poverty and unemployment
• A lack of access to education and other social services
• A breakdown in family structures
• The proliferation of illegal firearms

Collaboration with Statistics South Africa

In an effort to address the rise in crime, the South African Police Service (SAPS) has begun to collaborate with Statistics South Africa (StatsSA). This collaboration will help to improve the accuracy and reliability of crime statistics, and will also allow the SAPS to better target its crime prevention efforts.