Bo-Kaap Crime Statistics
How much crime was reported in Bo-Kaap?
The Cape Town Central SAPS precinct, which covers Bo-Kaap, recorded 16,722 crimes in Apr 2025–Mar 2026, roughly unchanged vs Apr 2024–Mar 2025.
Largest categories
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, not per suburb. These figures cover the whole Cape Town Central precinct area, and every suburb in it shares them. Other suburbs: Cape Town CBD, De Waterkant, Devils Peak Estate, Foreshore, Gardens and 8 more.
- 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.
Crime volume
Very High
in Western Cape
Reported crimes
16,722
Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · Full year
vs Apr 2024–Mar 2025
→ 0.1%
no change vs Apr 2024–Mar 2025
vs its pre-COVID level
↑ 2.8%
above 2018-2019
Updated · SAPS Q4 2025-26 release
Crime by type
Change vs Apr 2024–Mar 2025 by crime category. Murder is shown separately but is included in the violent crime total.
Murder
7
↓ 36.4% vs Apr 2024–Mar 2025
Violent crime
2,831
↓ 8.6% vs Apr 2024–Mar 2025
Property crime
2,325
↓ 25.3% vs Apr 2024–Mar 2025
Other (drug, commercial, theft)
11,566
↑ 9.9% vs Apr 2024–Mar 2025
What's changing?
Biggest changes vs Apr 2024–Mar 2025
Crime trend by year
Crime breakdown
Top reported offences in 2025-2026
| Crime category | Reported count |
|---|---|
| Drug-related crime | 5,840 |
| All theft not mentioned elsewhere | 3,277 |
| Theft from vehicle | 1,871 |
| Commercial crime | 1,471 |
| Common robbery | 1,428 |
| Common assault | 643 |
| Aggravated robbery | 516 |
| Shoplifting | 311 |
Compare with nearby areas
Other precincts in City of Cape Town
Sorted by total reported crimes (lowest first)
Compare Bo-Kaap
Side-by-side crime statistics with nearby suburbs
Other suburbs served by Cape Town Central police station
14 suburbs in this precinct share the same SAPS crime data
SAPS reports at precinct level — all suburbs below have identical crime statistics to Bo-Kaap.
See Bo-Kaap's precinct on the crime map
View the precinct boundary in context, with a year-by-year timeline back to 2013/14 and surrounding precincts around it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about crime in Bo-Kaap
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 →
Economic Context
Property affordability is shaped by SA's broader economic environment.
- SA Repo Rate History →— how interest rates affect bond repayments
- Cost of Living: 2010 vs Now →— how purchasing power has changed