Kariega Crime Statistics
Nelson Mandela Bay|1 suburb
How much crime was reported in Kariega?
The Kariega SAPS precinct recorded 2,448 crimes in Apr 2025–Mar 2026, down 9.8% vs Apr 2024–Mar 2025.
Very High volume for Eastern CapeHigh nationally
Whole-precinct figures, reported crime only, raw counts. Source: SAPS quarterly crime statistics (saps.gov.za), Apr 2025–Mar 2026.
What this data can't tell you
- Exactly where in the precinct crimes happened. SAPS reports crime per police precinct. These figures cover the whole Kariega precinct area.
- Crime that was never reported. SAPS counts crimes reported to the police. Not all crime is reported, so actual incidence is higher. Reporting rates also vary by area and crime type, so there is no reliable way to correct for it. How we handle this →
- How crime compares per resident. These are raw counts with no population adjustment. Precincts serving more people naturally record more crimes. The trend over time, which compares this precinct against its own history, is the more reliable signal.
See how Kariega compares to other Eastern Cape precincts vs Apr 2024–Mar 2025 → Crime by precinct in Nelson Mandela Bay → See how Gqeberha suburbs rank →
Crime volume
Very High
in Eastern Cape · High nationally
Reported crimes
2,448
Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · Full year
vs Apr 2024–Mar 2025
↓ 9.8%
fewer crimes vs Apr 2024–Mar 2025
vs pre-COVID baseline
↑ 8.2%
above 2018-2019
Updated · SAPS Q4 2025-26 release
Crime in Kariega decreased 9.8% vs Apr 2024–Mar 2025, though crime levels remain very high relative to other precincts.
What's changing?
Biggest changes vs Apr 2024–Mar 2025
All theft not mentioned elsewhere dropped significantly (-98) while Drug-related crime increased (+68).
All theft not mentioned elsewhere-98
Drug-related crime+68
Commercial crime-41
Vehicle theft-35
Crime trend by year
Crime breakdown
Top reported offences in 2025-2026
| Crime category | Reported count |
|---|---|
| Drug-related crime | 670 |
| All theft not mentioned elsewhere | 461 |
| Commercial crime | 212 |
| Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs | 189 |
| Shoplifting | 119 |
| Theft from vehicle | 109 |
| Residential burglary | 105 |
| Malicious damage | 104 |
View full crime breakdown table
| Category | 2025-2026 | 2024-2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drug-related crime | 670 | 602 | +68 |
| All theft not mentioned elsewhere | 461 | 559 | -98 |
| Commercial crime | 212 | 253 | -41 |
| Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs | 189 | 210 | -21 |
| Shoplifting | 119 | 140 | -21 |
| Theft from vehicle | 109 | 126 | -17 |
| Residential burglary | 105 | 133 | -28 |
| Malicious damage | 104 | 126 | -22 |
| Common assault | 90 | 96 | -6 |
| Aggravated robbery | 89 | 123 | -34 |
| Carjacking | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| Truck hijacking | 3 | 4 | -1 |
| Robbery at residential premises | 6 | 8 | -2 |
| Robbery at non-residential premises | 19 | 26 | -7 |
| Robbery of cash in transit | 1 | 0 | +1 |
| Bank robbery | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Components of aggravated robbery above, already counted in that total. Not additional crimes. SAPS reports these both individually and within the aggravated-robbery figure. | |||
| Business burglary | 69 | 95 | -26 |
| Serious assault | 43 | 33 | +10 |
| Common robbery | 32 | 26 | +6 |
| Rape | 28 | 9 | +19 |
| Vehicle theft | 26 | 61 | -35 |
| Illegal possession of firearms and ammunition | 25 | 21 | +4 |
| Attempted murder | 20 | 16 | +4 |
| Kidnapping | 13 | 11 | +2 |
| Crimen injuria | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| Murder | 10 | 15 | -5 |
| Stock-theft | 10 | 29 | -19 |
| Culpable homicide | 7 | 12 | -5 |
| Sexual assault | 3 | 6 | -3 |
| Arson | 1 | 0 | +1 |
| Attempted sexual offences | 1 | 0 | +1 |
| Contact sexual offences | 1 | 0 | +1 |
| Neglect and ill-treatment of children | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Abduction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Public violence | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sexual offences detected as a result of police action | 0 | 1 | -1 |
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Compare with nearby areas
Other precincts in Nelson Mandela Bay
Sorted by total reported crimes (lowest first)
See Kariega on the national crime map
View this precinct's boundary in context, with a year-by-year timeline back to 2013/14 and every other Eastern Cape precinct around it.
Open Kariega on the crime map →Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about crime in Kariega
The Kariega SAPS precinct recorded 2,448 crimes in Apr 2025–Mar 2026, down 9.8% vs Apr 2024–Mar 2025. The largest categories were Drug-related crime (670), All theft not mentioned elsewhere (461), Commercial crime (212). These are whole-precinct raw counts of reported crime, not adjusted for population.
The Kariega SAPS precinct recorded 2,448 crimes in Apr 2025–Mar 2026 — down 9.8% vs Apr 2024–Mar 2025. 10 murders were reported. It sits in the "Very High" crime-volume tier for Eastern Cape precincts. SafeSuburb presents SAPS figures as published — we do not rate precincts safe or unsafe. SAPS reports crime at precinct level, not per suburb, so every suburb in this precinct shares the same data.
The Kariega SAPS precinct reported 2,448 crimes in Apr 2025–Mar 2026. Crime is down 9.8% vs Apr 2024–Mar 2025.
Crime in the Kariega SAPS precinct has decreased 9.8% vs Apr 2024–Mar 2025. The precinct reported 2,448 crimes in Apr 2025–Mar 2026, compared to the same period in the previous financial year.
The most frequently reported crime category in the Kariega SAPS precinct is Drug-related crime.
The Kariega SAPS precinct covers: Kariega. All these suburbs share the same crime statistics because SAPS reports data at precinct level, not per suburb.
Check another area
Data Sources & Notes
- Crime data: SAPS quarterly crime statistics
- SAPS data reflects reported crime only. Crime reporting rates vary by area. How much crime goes unreported? →
- 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 →