Howick vs Pietermaritzburg: Crime Comparison
2026-2027 SAPS data
Howick had 789 fewer reported crimes than Pietermaritzburg (477 vs 1,266 — 62% difference).
Howick
Howick precinct
Total crimes
477
Apr–Jun 2026
vs Apr–Jun 2025
↑ 45% more crimes
Crime split
123 violent · 65 property · 289 other
5 murders
Most reported crime
Common assault (46)
Pietermaritzburg
Pietermaritzburg precinct
Total crimes
1,266
Apr–Jun 2026
vs Apr–Jun 2025
→ Stable
Crime split
346 violent · 118 property · 802 other
7 murders
Most reported crime
Common assault (120)
Crime trend over time
Dashed segments indicate years with fewer than 4 quarters of data.
At a glance
- Howick had 789 fewer reported crimes (477 vs 1,266)
- Pietermaritzburg is improving while Howick is worsening
- Most reported crime in Howick: Common assault · In Pietermaritzburg: Common assault
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Howick safer than Pietermaritzburg?
SafeSuburb presents official SAPS data — we don't make safety judgements. Howick had 789 fewer reported crimes than Pietermaritzburg (477 vs 1,266 — 62% difference). Browse the crime statistics above to draw your own conclusions.
What is the crime rate in Howick vs Pietermaritzburg?
Howick (Howick precinct) reported 477 crimes, while Pietermaritzburg (Pietermaritzburg precinct) reported 1,266 crimes. Note: these are precinct-level figures from SAPS, not suburb-specific counts.
Crime data from SAPS quarterly statistics. Methodology · Disclaimer
This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for safety or property decisions.