Butterworth Crime Statistics

Butterworth, Amathole, Eastern Cape — Latest SAPS Crime Data

F4/100

Very High Risk

Total Crimes

1,767

+31.4% vs 2024

Crime Rate

10,812

per 100k

Safety Score

4/100

Grade F — Very High Risk

Population

21,790

Crime Breakdown — Butterworth (2025)

Crime Category	Group	Cases	% of Total
Assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm	contact	331	18.7%
All theft not mentioned elsewhere	other-serious	309	17.5%
Common assault	contact	261	14.8%
Burglary at residential premises	property	192	10.9%
Malicious damage to property	contact-related	181	10.2%
Commercial Crime	other-serious	155	8.8%
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs	detected	131	7.4%
Rape	contact	92	5.2%
Drug-Related Crime	detected	89	5.0%
Crimen Injuria	contact-related	79	4.5%
Common robbery	contact	75	4.2%
Other aggravated robbery	other-serious	65	3.7%
Burglary at non-residential premises	property	64	3.6%
Theft out of or from motor vehicle	property	61	3.5%
Shoplifting	other-serious	44	2.5%
Murder	contact	40	2.3%
Attempted murder	contact	33	1.9%
Stock Theft	property	27	1.5%
Culpable homicide	other-serious	23	1.3%
Kidnapping	contact	16	0.9%
Illegal possession of firearms and ammunition	detected	12	0.7%
Attempted Sexual Offences	contact	11	0.6%
Neglect and ill-treatment of children	contact	11	0.6%
Robbery at residential premises	contact	11	0.6%
Robbery at non-residential premises	contact	9	0.5%
Theft of motor vehicle and motorcycle	property	9	0.5%
Arson	contact-related	8	0.5%
Carjacking	contact	8	0.5%
Sexual Assault	contact	7	0.4%
Public violence	contact-related	1	0.1%
Truck hijacking	contact	1	0.1%
Abduction	contact	0	0.0%
Bank Robbery	contact	0	0.0%
Contact Sexual Offences	contact	0	0.0%
Robbery of cash in transit	contact	0	0.0%
Sexual offences detected as a result of police action	detected	0	0.0%

Butterworth Crime Trend (2018-2025)

Butterworth Crime Breakdown (2025)

Is Butterworth Safe?

No, Butterworth has high crime levels.

Butterworth scores 4/100 on our safety index, earning a Grade F (Very High Risk). The crime rate in Butterworth is 10,812 per 100,000 people, significantly above the national average. Take extra precautions in Butterworth, particularly after dark, and be aware of the predominant crime types in the area.

vs National Average

+253%

Well above average

Year-on-Year

+31.4%

Crime increasing

Top Crime

Assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm

19% of all crime

Rank in Amathole

37/37

Among highest risk

Crime breakdown in Butterworth

In 2025, Butterworth recorded 1,767 total crimes. The most prevalent crime in Butterworth is Assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm with 331 reported cases (18.7% of all crime in Butterworth), followed by All theft not mentioned elsewhere at 309 cases (17.5%) and Common assault at 261 cases (14.8%).

Compared to 2024, crime in Butterworth has increased by 31.4%, indicating a worsening trend for the Butterworth area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common crimes in Butterworth?

The most reported crimes in Butterworth are Assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm (331 cases), All theft not mentioned elsewhere (309 cases), Common assault (261 cases). These figures are based on 2025 SAPS data.

How does Butterworth compare to other areas in Amathole?

Butterworth has a crime rate of 10,812 per 100k. Compared to other precincts in Amathole, Fort Beaufort is safer with a rate of 0 per 100k.

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Other Precincts in Amathole

Precinct	Population	Crimes	Rate	Safety
Fort Beaufort	21,790	0	0	N/A (0)
Komga	21,790	0	0	N/A (0)
Mooiplaas	21,790	0	0	N/A (0)
Doringkloof	21,790	10	60	A (99)
Khubusidrift	21,790	15	92	A (99)
Thomas River	21,790	18	110	A (98)
Kolomane	21,790	19	115	A (98)
Hogsback	21,790	32	197	A (95)
Bholo	21,790	62	381	A (89)
Hamburg	21,790	75	459	A (87)