Observatory Crime Statistics
Observatory spans 2 police precincts — which one covers you?
All data below updates based on your selection. Why does this suburb have two precincts?
How much crime was reported in Observatory?
The Mowbray SAPS precinct, which covers Observatory, recorded 833 crimes in Apr 2025–Mar 2026, down 15.6% vs Apr 2024–Mar 2025.
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 Mowbray precinct area (the precinct selected above), and every suburb in it shares them. Other suburbs: Mowbray, Rosebank.
- 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
Low
in Western Cape · Moderate nationally
Reported crimes
833
Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · Full year
vs Apr 2024–Mar 2025
↓ 15.6%
fewer crimes vs Apr 2024–Mar 2025
vs its pre-COVID level
↓ 35.3%
below 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
1
↓ 66.7% vs Apr 2024–Mar 2025
Violent crime
123
↓ 31.7% vs Apr 2024–Mar 2025
Property crime
296
↓ 12.2% vs Apr 2024–Mar 2025
Other (drug, commercial, theft)
414
↓ 11.9% 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 |
|---|---|
| Theft from vehicle | 175 |
| All theft not mentioned elsewhere | 147 |
| Commercial crime | 98 |
| Drug-related crime | 68 |
| Residential burglary | 64 |
| Vehicle theft | 49 |
| Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs | 46 |
| Malicious damage | 45 |
Compare with nearby areas
Other precincts in City of Cape Town
Sorted by total reported crimes (lowest first)
Compare Observatory
Side-by-side crime statistics with nearby suburbs
Other suburbs served by Mowbray police station
3 suburbs in this precinct share the same SAPS crime data
SAPS reports at precinct level — all suburbs below have identical crime statistics to Observatory.
View full Mowbray precinct overview →See Observatory's precincts 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 Observatory
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