Centurion sees mixed crime trends

Centurion police stations have shown significant shifts in crime trends during the third quarter of the 2024/25 financial year.

This was revealed by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on Friday, February 21.

The statistics cover the period from October to December 2025 and compare data from the past five years, which highlights both the progress made in reducing certain crimes and the areas where challenges persist.

Starting in the Lyttelton policing area, there has been a 41.5% decrease in contact crimes, with common assault dropping by an impressive 28.9% and robbery with aggravating circumstances dropping by 56 counts.

Property-related crimes declined by 16.6%, with burglaries at residential premises dropping by a staggering 22.3%.

Theft of motor vehicles, motorcycles, and even stock declined, reflecting positive strides in curbing these offences.

However, there were areas of concern, such as sexual offences, which saw an increase from 9 to 11 cases, and commercial crimes, which rose by 10.4%, reaching 405 cases compared to the same period last year.

Rapes also increased marginally, with two additional cases.

On the other hand, crimes detected through police action rose by 23.5%, indicating the proactive measures taken by law enforcement in this area.

Wierdaburg Police Station recorded a decrease of 17.8% in contact crimes, with 42 fewer cases this quarter.

Murder saw a dip, with no cases reported compared to three in the previous quarter, while robbery with aggravating circumstances decreased significantly by 26.4%.

Common robberies also fell, with nine fewer cases reported.

Sexual offences however rose alarmingly, with 17 cases reported, seven more than in the previous period, and four of these were for rape.

Property-related crimes saw a sharp reduction of 28.7%, with 133 fewer cases compared to the last quarter.

Carjackings dropped by 12 counts, truck hijackings by five counts, and theft of motor vehicles showed a decrease as well.

Drug-related crimes detected by police stood at seven counts this quarter compared to nine previously.

In Erasmia, there contact crimes decreased.

Burglaries and theft of motor vehicles showed no change.

Laudium Police Station reported a 30.5% decrease in contact crimes, though common robbery cases rose by seven counts after none were reported in the previous year.

Property-related crimes dropped substantially, by 31 counts from 52 to 21.

Olievenhoutbosch Police Station presented mixed results, with crimes detected by police dropping by 30.5%.

Contact crimes decreased by 16.7%, and robberies with aggravating circumstances fell by 40.7% because 77 fewer cases were reported.

On the downside, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm rose by 23.6% from 70 to 89, and common assault increased marginally by 1.1%.

Rape cases also rose slightly, with two additional cases bringing the total to 27.

Carjackings saw a significant reduction, dropping by 16 counts to 37, and robberies at residential premises decreased by nine counts.

However, burglaries at non-residential premises increased by eight counts, while theft of motor vehicles and motorcycles rose by eight counts to 22.

Theft out of vehicles also showed a decline of 35.8%.

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