Crime increased 64% in one of South Africa’s favourite coastal towns

The takeaway when the South African Police Service (SAPS) released its crime data was that violent crimes like murder had dropped.

However, in pockets of the country, residents don’t feel safe.

Instead, in the parts of the country South Africans flock to for rest and respite, crime is increasing substantially.

Crime Increases on the Coast

Crime in all coastal provinces has multiplied.

But in Jeffrey’s Bay, the rise in crime is substantial: 64.1%.

In the Sarah Baartman municipality, Jeffrey’s Bay is the second most dangerous precinct.

Jeffrey’s Bay ranks second for residential burglary and drug-related crime.

When it comes to increasing crime, Jeffrey’s Bay takes the third spot in the municipality.

Between April and June 2026, the town recorded 517 crimes.

The year before, over the same period, the police precinct only recorded 315 crimes.

In the first quarter, drug-related crime and all theft not mentioned elsewhere top the list as the town’s most recorded crimes.

However, residential burglary, commercial crime, and serious assault feature in this quarter’s top 5 crimes.

Crime	Recorded Incidents
All theft not mentioned elsewhere	86
Drug-related crime	78
Commercial crime	77
Residential burglary	61
Serious assault	44

In the 12 months ending March 2026, Jeffrey’s Bay recorded 1 337 crimes.

But if this trend continues, crime in the coastal town could surpass 2 000 incidents by March 2027.

Small Town Crime Increase

The increase in crime along the coast isn’t limited to Jeffrey’s Bay.

In the Eastern Cape, crime in Beacon Bay rose 24%.

Towns like Port Alfred and St Francis Bay also recorded double-digit increases.

In KwaZulu-Natal, crime in small coastal towns like Port Shepstone, Hibberdene, and Port Alfred has increased.

In the Western Cape, along the West Coast, crime in Saldanha is up, as is crime in neighbouring Langebaan. Doringbaai and Elands Bay have also been impacted.

Along the Garden Route, in Stillbaai, and in the Overberg, Struisbaai have encountered double-digit crime increases.