Police record 3.1% decrease in contact crimes in Q2 of 2025

Police have recorded a decline in contact crimes between July and September, with the latest statistics showing a 3.1% decrease compared to the same period in 2024.

Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia released the second-quarter crime statistics in Pretoria on Friday morning.

Murder, assault, and robbery showed significant decline, while attempted murder and sexual offences increased during the quarter under review.

Between July and September 2024, the police recorded more than 160,000 contact crimes, compared to 155,000 during the same period in 2024.

The lowest figure in this category over the past five years was in 2021, when just over 137,000 contact crimes were recorded in the second quarter.

Carjackings, as well as commercial and residential robberies, have decreased by 15%.

Cachalia said that although overall progress has been made, crime levels remain alarmingly high.

“There are categories that remain stubbornly high. We are continuing to record increases in sexual offences, gender-based violence and commercial crimes, which is a trend over the last five years.”

However, while rape and sexual assault have seen slight decreases, the overall category of sexual offences has increased due to a rise in attempted sexual offences and contact sexual offences.