Centurion recorded several significant changes in crime patterns during the second quarter of the 2025/26 financial year, with new police data showing both improvements and emerging areas of concern across its major precincts.

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia released the national crime statistics on November 28.

During the briefing in Pretoria, Cachalia said the country must strengthen its focus on organised crime and the corruption that fuels it.
He called for closer co-operation between law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, financial regulators, SARS, and the private sector.

The figures cover the period from July to September and, when compared with the past five years, reveal clear shifts in crime trends across Lyttelton, Wierdabrug, Olievenhoutbosch, Erasmia, and Laudium.

At the Lyttelton police station, property-related crimes declined by 24.7%.

A key contributor was the sharp fall in theft out of or from motor vehicles, which dropped by 56 cases to 92, compared to 148 during the same quarter last year.

However, common robbery incidents rose slightly, with five more cases bringing the total to 12. Trio crimes increased by nine cases, rising to 21 from last year’s 12.

Sexual offences decreased from 19 to 14, while attempted murder increased by two, compared to the single case previously recorded.

Rape also fell slightly, with four fewer cases than last year’s 14. Police-detected crimes rose by 16.3%, reflecting intensified enforcement in the precinct.

In the Wierdabrug policing area, contact crimes decreased by 15.3%, amounting to 36 fewer cases.

Murder incidents rose from one to four, and common robbery climbed by six cases compared to the 36 reported during the same quarter last year.

Robbery with aggravating circumstances declined by 31.9%, and common assault fell by 13%.

Sexual assault incidents increased sharply, with 10 cases reported, eight more than the previous period.

Robbery at residential premises improved, dropping to 18 cases from 28 previously, while overall contact crimes were down by 28 cases.

Theft of motor vehicles and motorcycles also dropped significantly, with 70 cases recorded compared to 115 last year.

Olievenhoutbosch presented a more volatile set of results.

Common assault rose by 36%, with 27 additional cases reported this quarter, while assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm increased by 12%.

Rape cases declined by six, and sexual assault fell from five cases to two.

Carjackings increased sharply by 16, reaching 42 cases, while robberies at residential premises fell by one.

Burglaries at non-residential premises decreased by two cases, and theft of motor vehicles and motorcycles increased by 81.8%, reaching 60 cases.

Another concern was theft out of motor vehicles, which also rose, with six more cases than the 74 recorded previously. Other serious crimes showed an overall improvement, falling by 11%.

Erasmia recorded a 10.8% increase in contact crimes, while property-related crime saw a reduction, dropping from 47 incidents in the same quarter last year to 38 this year.

Kidnapping cases also increased, rising from two to five.

In Laudium, crime detected through police action increased, indicating stronger enforcement efforts.

However, robbery with aggravating circumstances rose significantly, with 20 cases reported compared to nine during the same period last year.

There was also an increase in reported rape cases this quarter, pointing to growing concerns in the area.

Do you have more information about the story?

Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.

For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok or WhatsApp Channel