Knysna Crime Statistics
See how Knysna compares to other Western Cape precincts vs Apr–Dec 2024 →
About this data
These are raw crime counts from SAPS — not adjusted for population. Areas with more residents will naturally report more crimes. The most reliable indicator is the trend over time, which compares this area against its own history. Learn more
Crime volume
Very High
in Western Cape
Reported crimes
3,810
2025-2026 · 9 of 12 months
vs Apr–Dec 2024
↑ 10%
more crimes vs Apr–Dec 2024
(based on 3 of 4 quarters)
vs pre-COVID baseline
↑ 12.1%
above 2018-2019
What's changing?
Biggest changes vs Apr–Dec 2024
Theft from vehicle dropped significantly (-35) while Drug-related crime increased (+456).
Crime trend by year
Hollow points with dashed lines indicate years with fewer than 4 quarters of data. These totals may be lower because not all quarters have been released by SAPS.
Crime breakdown
Top reported offences in 2025-2026
| Crime category | Reported count |
|---|---|
| Drug-related crime | 1,130 |
| Common assault | 509 |
| Serious assault | 470 |
| Residential burglary | 319 |
| Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs | 282 |
| Malicious damage | 269 |
| Theft from vehicle | 149 |
| Crimen injuria | 126 |
View full crime breakdown table
| Category | 2025-2026 | 2024-2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drug-related crime | 1,130 | 674 | +456 |
| Common assault | 509 | 533 | -24 |
| Serious assault | 470 | 425 | +45 |
| Residential burglary | 319 | 339 | -20 |
| Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs | 282 | 285 | -3 |
| Malicious damage | 269 | 297 | -28 |
| Theft from vehicle | 149 | 184 | -35 |
| Crimen injuria | 126 | 113 | +13 |
| Aggravated robbery | 96 | 127 | -31 |
| Common robbery | 91 | 72 | +19 |
| Shoplifting | 87 | 120 | -33 |
| Rape | 78 | 68 | +10 |
| Business burglary | 71 | 81 | -10 |
| Sexual assault | 17 | 14 | +3 |
| Arson | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| Illegal possession of firearms and ammunition | 13 | 19 | -6 |
| Robbery at residential premises | 13 | 16 | -3 |
| Murder | 12 | 21 | -9 |
| Vehicle theft | 11 | 21 | -10 |
| Culpable homicide | 9 | 6 | +3 |
| Robbery at non-residential premises | 9 | 5 | +4 |
| Kidnapping | 8 | 9 | -1 |
| Attempted murder | 6 | 7 | -1 |
| Attempted sexual offences | 6 | 1 | +5 |
| Contact sexual offences | 5 | 4 | +1 |
| Public violence | 4 | 3 | +1 |
| Carjacking | 2 | 3 | -1 |
| Neglect and ill-treatment of children | 2 | 1 | +1 |
| Stock-theft | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Abduction | 0 | 1 | -1 |
| Bank robbery | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Robbery of cash in transit | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Truck hijacking | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Compare with nearby areas
Other precincts in Garden Route
Sorted by total reported crimes (lowest first)
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about crime in Knysna
Check another area
Data Sources & Notes
- Crime data: SAPS quarterly crime statistics
- SAPS data reflects reported crime only. Crime reporting rates vary by area.
- 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 →