Contact crimes drop in west policing precinct

The recently published crime statistics for the fourth quarter of 2024/25 revealed decreases in contact crimes in Pretoria West.

While the figures indicate positive steps forward, Pretoria West remains among several Pretoria suburbs that have been identified as crime hotspots due to elevated incidents of serious crimes.

In Pretoria West, hijackings and robberies with aggravating circumstances are among the most common crimes occurring in the area.

Here’s a look at the crime patterns recorded from police stations west of Pretoria.

Pretoria West

Pretoria West Police Station recorded a 5.4% decrease in contact crimes this quarter.

Murder cases reported remain constant at 9 cases reported this quarter and in the previous, as did common assault, with 125 cases.

Sexual offences decreased by 10 counts (31 cases down to 21), attempted murder decreased by 6 counts (14 down to 8), and common robbery decreased by 5 counts (29 to 24).

Assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm (GBH) decreased by one case (61 to 60), as well as robbery with aggravating circumstances (154 to 153).

Rape cases decreased by 14 counts (25 to 11 cases) while sexual assault cases reported increased by 2 counts (6 up to 8).

Both attempted sexual offences and contact sexual offences recorded a 1 count increase after recording none in the previous four quarters.

Carjacking cases decreased by 5 counts (47 to 42), and robbery at non-residential premises decreased by 2 counts (14 to 12).

Robbery at residential premises saw a significant increase of 13 counts, recording 29 cases being reported this quarter compared to the 16 from the previous quarter.

No CIT heists or bank robberies have been recorded in the previous 5 quarters, and no arson and truck hijacking cases were reported this quarter, dropping by a single count for each.

Malicious damage to property cases decreased by 18.4% from 76 cases to 62, giving contact-related crimes a 19.5% decrease.

Kidnapping cases decreased by 18 counts (26 to 8), and burglary at non-residential premises decreased by 7 counts (29 to 22).

Theft of motor vehicles and motorcycles decreased by 23 counts (71 to 48), and no stock-theft cases have been reported for the past five quarters.

Burglary at residential premises increased by a sharp 51.6% (95 to 144), and theft out of or from motor vehicles increased by 7.7% (65 to 70).

Crimes detected as a result of police action increased by 45.3% (64 cases to 93), most of these detections coming from drug-related crime and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI).

Hercules

Hercules Police Station recorded a decrease of 15.4% in contact crimes, the large contributor to this being a 16.9% drop in robberies with aggravating circumstances reported (77 to 64).

Sexual offences decreased by 10 counts (18 to 8), and attempted murder decreased by 5 counts (14 to 9).

Assault with intent to cause GBH decreased by 10 (60 to 54), and common assault decreased by 14.3% (119 to 102).

Common robbery was the only contact crime that recorded an increase of 2 counts (28 to 30).

Rape cases decreased by 6 counts (12 to 6) and sexual assault cases decreased by 3 counts (5 to 2).

No attempted sexual offences have been reported in the past 5 quarters, and no contact sexual offences were reported in this quarter, one less than the previous.

Carjacking increased by a single count (7 to 8), and robbery at residential premises and robbery at non-residential premises recorded decreases of 1 count (7 to 6) and 2 counts (14 to 12), respectively.

No trio Crimes (CIT heists, bank robberies, truck hijackings) have been reported in the past four quarters.

Two arson cases were reported this quarter, compared to one in the previous and malicious damage to property cases reported increased by 17.8% (45 to 53).

Seven kidnapping cases were reported this quarter compared to 6 in the previous and burglary at non-residential premises increased by 5 counts (18 to 23).

Burglary at residential premises decreased by 14.8% (88 to 75), and theft of motor vehicles or motorcycles decreased by 22.2% (72 to 56).

Theft out of or from motor vehicles increased by a single count (41 to 42), and stock theft dropped to no cases reported after one case reported last quarter.

Crimes detected as a result of police action increased by 18.9%, and other serious crimes (shoplifting, commercial crime and all theft not mentioned elsewhere) decreased by 45.8%.

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