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Free State Crime Trends

Source: South African Police Service (SAPS)Last updated 2026-03-18

Of the 112 police precincts in Free State, 66 reported less crime than the previous year, 17 were stable, and 29 reported more crime. Based on SAPS quarterly statistics for Apr–Dec 2025 vs Apr–Dec 2024.

By precinct By crime category
Compare:

Comparing Apr–Dec 2025 vs Apr–Dec 2024 using annual crime totals (3 of 4 quarters — Q4 not yet released).

66

Improving

fewer crimes vs Apr–Dec 2024

29

Worsening

more crimes vs Apr–Dec 2024

17

Stable

within ±2% change

Biggest movers

Precincts with 200+ reported crimes only — smaller precincts and new stations are excluded. Ranked by absolute crime count change to avoid misleading percentage swings from low-volume precincts. See all precincts below.

↓ Most improved

Welkom↓ 15%Botshabelo↓ 15.2%Thabong↓ 9.6%Ficksburg↓ 16%Reitz↓ 29.9%

↑ Most worsened

Mangaung↑ 11.2%Kopanong↑ 10.6%Senekal↑ 21.6%Boithuso↑ 4.2%Tseseng↑ 14.7%

Key takeaways — Free State

  • •59% of Free State precincts (66 of 112) reported fewer crimes compared to the previous year.
  • •29,755 violent crimes and 14,992 property crimes were reported across Free State in the latest year.

All Free State precincts

Click column headers to sort. Violent crime = murder, assault, robbery, rape. Property crime = burglary, theft, vehicle crime. Counts are raw reported crimes for the latest year.

Precinct Trend
Roadside↓ 68%
Goedemoed↓ 64.5%
Verkykerskop↓ 59.5%
Reitz↓ 29.9%
Memel↓ 28.5%
Tierpoort↓ 26.8%
Oranjeville↓ 25.4%
Bayswater↓ 24.9%
Navalsig↓ 24%
Ventersburg↓ 22.6%
Soutpan↓ 22.3%
Springfontein↓ 21.8%
Van Stadensrus↓ 20%
Wanda↓ 20%
Meloding↓ 19.5%
Rosendal↓ 18%
Ladybrand↓ 17.8%
Hobhouse↓ 16.8%
Ficksburg↓ 16%
Batho↓ 15.5%
Botshabelo↓ 15.2%
Theunissen↓ 15%
Welkom↓ 15%
Sasolburg↓ 14.9%
Thaba-Nchu↓ 13.9%
Tweeling↓ 13.9%
Hertzogville↓ 13.6%
Brandfort↓ 13.5%
Bronville↓ 13.1%
Wesselsbron↓ 12.9%
Koppies↓ 12.1%
Bultfontein↓ 11.8%
Hoopstad↓ 11.5%
Tweespruit↓ 11.3%
Cornelia↓ 11%
Vredefort↓ 10.9%
Namahadi↓ 10.5%
Bethulie↓ 10.4%
Dealesville↓ 10.4%
Thabong↓ 9.6%
Zamdela↓ 8.5%
Glen↓ 8.4%
Harrismith↓ 7.6%
Edenville↓ 7.5%
Tumahole↓ 7.3%
Kroonstad↓ 6.9%
Zastron↓ 6.4%
Tseki↓ 6.3%
Kommissiepoort↓ 5.9%
Phuthaditjhaba↓ 5.9%
Trompsburg↓ 5.4%
Reddersburg↓ 5%
Lindley↓ 4.9%
Hennenman↓ 4.6%
Steynsrus↓ 4.5%
Bloemspruit↓ 4.3%
Viljoenskroon↓ 4.1%
Virginia↓ 4.1%
Dewetsdorp↓ 3.5%
Odendaalsrus↓ 3.4%
Park Road↓ 3%
Heidedal↓ 2.9%
Mafube↓ 2.7%
Clarens↓ 2.3%
Heilbron↓ 2.3%
Makwane↓ 2.1%
Jagersfontein→ 1.8%
Philippolis→ 1.5%
Koffiefontein→ 1.4%
Edenburg→ 0.4%
Bainsvlei→ 0.2%
Allanridge→ 0%
Fauresmith→ 0%
Heuningspruit→ 0%
Sonskyn→ 0%
Maokeng→ 0.1%
Fouriesburg→ 0.2%
Selosesha→ 0.4%
Clocolan→ 1.3%
Kagisanong→ 1.4%
Winburg→ 1.6%
Petrus Steyn→ 1.8%
Petrusburg→ 2%
Parys↑ 2.1%
Bohlokong↑ 3.3%
Bethlehem↑ 3.5%
Boshof↑ 3.5%
Bothaville↑ 3.7%
Boithuso↑ 4.2%
Villiers↑ 4.7%
Deneysville↑ 6.2%
Paul Roux↑ 7%
Kestell↑ 7.9%
Vrede↑ 8.2%
Kopanong↑ 10.6%
Mangaung↑ 11.2%
Warden↑ 12.5%
Arlington↑ 13.4%
Tseseng↑ 14.7%
Excelsior↑ 15.8%
Jacobsdal↑ 16.1%
Smithfield↑ 17%
Viljoensdrif↑ 19%
Wepener↑ 20.2%
Senekal↑ 21.6%
Marquard↑ 26.8%
Vierfontein↑ 27.2%
Luckhoff↑ 28.6%
Gariepdam↑ 42.1%
Verkeerdevlei↑ 59.8%
Steunmekaar↑ 62.5%
Rouxville↑ 79.3%

Trend = change in total reported serious crime vs the previous financial year. Improving (>2% decrease), Worsening (>2% increase), Stable (within ±2%). Source: SAPS crime statistics (annual totals from all available quarters). Methodology · Disclaimer

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for safety or property decisions.