Bethlehem Crime Statistics

Bethlehem, Thabo Mofutsanyana (Bethlehem), Free State — Latest SAPS Crime Data

F9/100

Very High Risk

Total Crimes

1,575

+0.3% vs 2024

Crime Rate

7,830

per 100k

Safety Score

9/100

Grade F — Very High Risk

Population

26,820

Crime Breakdown — Bethlehem (2025)

Crime Category	Group	Cases	% of Total
Sexual offences detected as a result of police action	detected	369	23.4%
Commercial Crime	other-serious	291	18.5%
All theft not mentioned elsewhere	other-serious	232	14.7%
Drug-Related Crime	detected	193	12.3%
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs	detected	141	9.0%
Common assault	contact	140	8.9%
Theft out of or from motor vehicle	property	129	8.2%
Burglary at residential premises	property	109	6.9%
Assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm	contact	85	5.4%
Malicious damage to property	contact-related	80	5.1%
Burglary at non-residential premises	property	73	4.6%
Shoplifting	other-serious	57	3.6%
Crimen Injuria	contact-related	40	2.5%
Stock Theft	property	25	1.6%
Common robbery	contact	21	1.3%
Rape	contact	21	1.3%
Other aggravated robbery	other-serious	20	1.3%
Theft of motor vehicle and motorcycle	property	20	1.3%
Illegal possession of firearms and ammunition	detected	12	0.8%
Culpable homicide	other-serious	9	0.6%
Attempted murder	contact	7	0.4%
Murder	contact	7	0.4%
Kidnapping	contact	4	0.3%
Robbery at non-residential premises	contact	4	0.3%
Sexual Assault	contact	4	0.3%
Carjacking	contact	3	0.2%
Robbery at residential premises	contact	1	0.1%
Abduction	contact	0	0.0%
Arson	contact-related	0	0.0%
Attempted Sexual Offences	contact	0	0.0%
Bank Robbery	contact	0	0.0%
Contact Sexual Offences	contact	0	0.0%
Neglect and ill-treatment of children	contact	0	0.0%
Public violence	contact-related	0	0.0%
Robbery of cash in transit	contact	0	0.0%
Truck hijacking	contact	0	0.0%

Bethlehem Crime Trend (2018-2025)

Bethlehem Crime Breakdown (2025)

Is Bethlehem Safe?

No, Bethlehem has high crime levels.

Bethlehem scores 9/100 on our safety index, earning a Grade F (Very High Risk). The crime rate in Bethlehem is 7,830 per 100,000 people, significantly above the national average. Take extra precautions in Bethlehem, particularly after dark, and be aware of the predominant crime types in the area.

vs National Average

+155%

Well above average

Year-on-Year

+0.3%

Relatively stable

Top Crime

Sexual offences detected as a result of police action

23% of all crime

Rank in Thabo Mofutsanyana (Bethlehem)

29/31

Among highest risk

Crime breakdown in Bethlehem

In 2025, Bethlehem recorded 1,575 total crimes. The most prevalent crime in Bethlehem is Sexual offences detected as a result of police action with 369 reported cases (23.4% of all crime in Bethlehem), followed by Commercial Crime at 291 cases (18.5%) and All theft not mentioned elsewhere at 232 cases (14.7%).

Compared to 2024, crime in Bethlehem has increased by 0.3%, indicating a worsening trend for the Bethlehem area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common crimes in Bethlehem?

The most reported crimes in Bethlehem are Sexual offences detected as a result of police action (369 cases), Commercial Crime (291 cases), All theft not mentioned elsewhere (232 cases). These figures are based on 2025 SAPS data.

How does Bethlehem compare to other areas in Thabo Mofutsanyana (Bethlehem)?

Bethlehem has a crime rate of 7,830 per 100k. Compared to other precincts in Thabo Mofutsanyana (Bethlehem), Roadside is safer with a rate of 34 per 100k.

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Other Precincts in Thabo Mofutsanyana (Bethlehem)

Precinct	Population	Crimes	Rate	Safety
Roadside	26,820	7	34	A (100)
Verkykerskop	26,820	14	71	A (99)
Kommissiepoort	26,820	59	295	A (91)
Hobhouse	26,820	66	328	A (91)
Rosendal	26,820	107	533	A (84)
Excelsior	26,820	109	541	A (84)
Memel	26,820	112	556	A (84)
Tweespruit	26,820	134	667	A (81)
Arlington	26,820	172	854	B (77)
Paul Roux	26,820	245	1,219	B (68)