High crime areas in Gauteng

These include murder, sexual offences, attempted murder, common assault, common robbery, and trio crimes. 

Although these stats show a slight drop from the previous year, they remain high. 

“Yes, we have a 1.8% drop in crime, I do not feel it, and our people do not feel it, and they are correct,” said Minister of Police Fikile Mbalula during his crime statistics for 2016/17 presentation in Parliament.

ALSO READ: Stats SA: Most crime still occurring in people's homes

Gauteng was the leading province when it came to reported robbery crimes, with many of these crimes taking place in Gauteng Central, followed by Pretoria Central, Hillbrow, and then Sunnyside. This is according to Crime Stats SA's report. 

When it came to burglary at residential premises, Gauteng remains in the top two with the most reported crimes happening in Honeydew, followed by Protea Glen and then Roodepoort. 

ALSO READ: Mbalula wants SANDF to fight crime in Gauteng and Western Cape

One of the biggest problems in South Africa is sexual crimes. According to the SAPS report, more than 49,000 sexual offences were reported in the country in 2017. 

Crime Stats SA reports that most of the reported rape crimes in Gauteng happened in Dobsonville, followed by Temba. Most of the attempted sexual offences happened in Ivory Park and Vosloorus. Contact sexual offences mostly occurred in Honeydew and Springs. 

The leading areas for motor vehicle and motorcycle theft are Brooklyn, followed by Honeydew, Lyttelton, Booysens, Wierdabrug, Linden, Vanderbijlpark, and Roodepoort. Truck hijacking mostly happened in Alberton, followed by Kempton Park, Heidelberg, Bedfordview, Olifantsfontein, Lyttelton, and Zonkizizwe. Theft out of or from a motor vehicle mostly happened in Sunnyside, followed by Sandton, Hillbrow, Gauteng Central, Midrand, and Pretoria Central. Carjacking hotspots include Booysens, Jeppe, Soshanguve, Ivory Park, and Rietgat. 

Gauteng was also the leading province when it came to shoplifting crimes, with most of these taking place in Johannesburg Central. Kempton Park was the leading area when it came to robbery of cash-in-transit vans, followed by Johannesburg Central.

Unfortunately, Gauteng leads the way when it comes to driving under the influence of alcohol or drug crimes. Most cases were reported from Orlando, Diepkloof, Bramley, Johannesburg Central, Douglasdale, Randburg, Jabulani, Tembisa, and Dobsonville.

ALSO READ: LIVE: Mbalula releases crime stats

Although one cannot really prevent crime from happening, there are certain things that can be done to try and avoid being a victim. 

- Be vigilant at all times. 

- Don't walk alone in isolated places.

- Make sure your car is properly locked when leaving it in the parking lot.

- Keep your belongings close to you.

- Don't accept help from strangers at ATMs.

- Don't be too trusting.

- Let your family or friends know where you are.

- Put your belongings in the boot of the car and not on car seats.

- Always make sure your house is locked and your windows are all closed before going to sleep. 

Have you been a victim of crime? Share your story with us in the comments section below.