East London Crime Statistics
See how East London compares to other Eastern Cape precincts vs Apr–Dec 2024 →
About this data
These are raw crime counts from SAPS — not adjusted for population. Areas with more residents will naturally report more crimes. The most reliable indicator is the trend over time, which compares this area against its own history. Learn more
Crime volume
Very High
in Eastern Cape
Reported crimes
3,229
2025-2026 · 9 of 12 months
vs Apr–Dec 2024
↓ 4.9%
fewer crimes vs Apr–Dec 2024
(based on 3 of 4 quarters)
vs pre-COVID baseline
↓ 22.1%
below 2018-2019
What's changing?
Biggest changes vs Apr–Dec 2024
Theft from vehicle dropped significantly (-167) while Drug-related crime increased (+97).
Crime trend by year
Hollow points with dashed lines indicate years with fewer than 4 quarters of data. These totals may be lower because not all quarters have been released by SAPS.
Crime breakdown
Top reported offences in 2025-2026
| Crime category | Reported count |
|---|---|
| Theft from vehicle | 380 |
| Serious assault | 337 |
| Aggravated robbery | 318 |
| Common assault | 304 |
| Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs | 293 |
| Business burglary | 280 |
| Drug-related crime | 254 |
| Residential burglary | 251 |
View full crime breakdown table
| Category | 2025-2026 | 2024-2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theft from vehicle | 380 | 547 | -167 |
| Serious assault | 337 | 382 | -45 |
| Aggravated robbery | 318 | 347 | -29 |
| Common assault | 304 | 305 | -1 |
| Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs | 293 | 203 | +90 |
| Business burglary | 280 | 226 | +54 |
| Drug-related crime | 254 | 157 | +97 |
| Residential burglary | 251 | 270 | -19 |
| Malicious damage | 173 | 201 | -28 |
| Shoplifting | 138 | 182 | -44 |
| Common robbery | 97 | 109 | -12 |
| Rape | 66 | 99 | -33 |
| Robbery at non-residential premises | 47 | 59 | -12 |
| Illegal possession of firearms and ammunition | 42 | 42 | 0 |
| Murder | 39 | 32 | +7 |
| Crimen injuria | 34 | 22 | +12 |
| Attempted murder | 30 | 24 | +6 |
| Robbery at residential premises | 26 | 29 | -3 |
| Vehicle theft | 25 | 45 | -20 |
| Carjacking | 22 | 26 | -4 |
| Kidnapping | 18 | 25 | -7 |
| Culpable homicide | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| Sexual assault | 14 | 23 | -9 |
| Arson | 6 | 2 | +4 |
| Stock-theft | 6 | 13 | -7 |
| Attempted sexual offences | 4 | 2 | +2 |
| Neglect and ill-treatment of children | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Contact sexual offences | 2 | 3 | -1 |
| Public violence | 2 | 1 | +1 |
| Robbery of cash in transit | 1 | 0 | +1 |
| Truck hijacking | 1 | 2 | -1 |
| Abduction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bank robbery | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Compare with nearby areas
Other precincts in Buffalo City
Sorted by total reported crimes (lowest first)
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about crime in East London
Check another area
Data Sources & Notes
- Crime data: SAPS quarterly crime statistics
- SAPS data reflects reported crime only. Crime reporting rates vary by area.
- This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for safety or property decisions. Full disclaimer
- Full methodology →