Crime Trends : Gauteng Reports Highest Number of Armed Robberies in December 2024
19 Jan 2025
The
latest crime statistics have been released and they reveal that Gauteng
recorded the highest number of armed robberies in December 2024, followed by KwaZulu-Natal.
The only other provinces where armed robberies were reported were Mpumalanga
and the Western Cape.
In
both Gauteng and the Western Cape, all reported armed robbery incidents
occurred in different locations. In KwaZulu-Natal, two incidents were recorded
in Verulam Central on the same day, while all other incidents took place in
different locations. Mpumalanga reported two incidents in Emalahleni and a
third incident in Malelane.
The
specific time of occurrence was only available for 50% of all reported armed
robbery incidents. However, from the available data, 31% of incidents took
place between 08:00 – 11:59 and 16:00 – 19:59, making these the highest-risk
periods for armed robberies. Firearms were used in 58% of all reported
incidents, while 19% of cases resulted in a fatal injury. In 38% of all
incidents, between one and three suspects were involved.
Increase
in Theft Cases and Identified High-Risk Areas
A
total of 26 theft incidents were recorded in December 2024. Gauteng was
identified as the province with the highest number of theft cases. Ferndale
emerged as a high-risk location, while Tuesdays were identified as the most
common weekday for theft incidents. The majority of theft cases occurred
between 16:00 – 19:59, making this the highest-risk time period for such
crimes.
Vehicle
Hijackings and Thefts in December 2024
A
total of 87 vehicle-related crimes were reported in December 2024. Of these
cases, 35 were hijackings, while 52 involved vehicle theft. The three most
frequently targeted vehicle makes were:
·
Toyota
– 24 reported cases
·
Volkswagen
– 14 reported cases
·
Hyundai
– 6 reported cases
The
most common colors of stolen or hijacked vehicles were:
·
White
– 28 reported cases
·
Silver
– 9 reported cases
·
Blue
– 6 reported cases
·
Red
– 4 reported cases
In
34 cases, the color of the stolen or hijacked vehicle was not reported.
Trends
in Common Robbery Cases
Between
the 2019/2020 and 2023/2024 financial years, December has consistently recorded
the lowest number of common robbery cases within Q3. Reported cases of common
robbery in Gauteng have shown a continuous decrease between December 2019 and
December 2023. Both the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal reported a decline in
common robbery incidents from December 2019 to December 2021, but cases began
to increase again from December 2021 to December 2023.
The
findings based on this report highlight high-risk locations and time periods
that require heightened awareness and preventive measures by the police and
private security.
Excellerate
Services: A Strong Presence in December
The
December crime statistics highlighted a period of heightened criminal activity,
with notable increases in armed robberies and vehicle-related crimes
nationwide. During this time, our security teams remained active and focused on
addressing potential risks and supporting safer environments in the areas we
serve.
Through
careful planning and timely interventions, we helped in the apprehension of
individuals involved in criminal activities and worked to deter further incidents.
These efforts reflect the importance of vigilance and collaboration in managing
security challenges effectively.
As
the report points out, identifying high-risk locations and time periods is
essential in strengthening preventive measures. We continue to work alongside
communities and stakeholders to contribute to safety and security.
Source:
TopicWorx