Harrismith Crime Statistics

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

F5/100

Very High Risk

Total Crimes

1,949

-6.9% vs 2024

Crime Rate

9,691

per 100k

Safety Score

5/100

Grade F — Very High Risk

Population

26,820

Crime Breakdown — Harrismith (2025)

Crime Category	Group	Cases	% of Total
Sexual offences detected as a result of police action	detected	309	15.9%
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs	detected	285	14.6%
All theft not mentioned elsewhere	other-serious	275	14.1%
Drug-Related Crime	detected	269	13.8%
Assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm	contact	259	13.3%
Burglary at residential premises	property	244	12.5%
Common assault	contact	197	10.1%
Stock Theft	property	99	5.1%
Malicious damage to property	contact-related	85	4.4%
Commercial Crime	other-serious	84	4.3%
Burglary at non-residential premises	property	73	3.7%
Other aggravated robbery	other-serious	67	3.4%
Rape	contact	65	3.3%
Theft out of or from motor vehicle	property	52	2.7%
Crimen Injuria	contact-related	29	1.5%
Culpable homicide	other-serious	29	1.5%
Common robbery	contact	28	1.4%
Robbery at residential premises	contact	27	1.4%
Illegal possession of firearms and ammunition	detected	25	1.3%
Murder	contact	24	1.2%
Shoplifting	other-serious	20	1.0%
Theft of motor vehicle and motorcycle	property	15	0.8%
Robbery at non-residential premises	contact	11	0.6%
Neglect and ill-treatment of children	contact	8	0.4%
Sexual Assault	contact	8	0.4%
Attempted murder	contact	5	0.3%
Attempted Sexual Offences	contact	3	0.2%
Kidnapping	contact	1	0.1%
Truck hijacking	contact	1	0.1%
Abduction	contact	0	0.0%
Arson	contact-related	0	0.0%
Bank Robbery	contact	0	0.0%
Carjacking	contact	0	0.0%
Contact Sexual Offences	contact	0	0.0%
Public violence	contact-related	0	0.0%
Robbery of cash in transit	contact	0	0.0%

Harrismith Crime Trend (2018-2025)

Harrismith Crime Breakdown (2025)

Is Harrismith Safe?

No, Harrismith has high crime levels.

Harrismith scores 5/100 on our safety index, earning a Grade F (Very High Risk). The crime rate in Harrismith is 9,691 per 100,000 people, significantly above the national average. Take extra precautions in Harrismith, particularly after dark, and be aware of the predominant crime types in the area.

vs National Average

+216%

Well above average

Year-on-Year

-6.9%

Crime decreasing

Top Crime

Sexual offences detected as a result of police action

16% of all crime

Rank in Thabo Mofutsanyana (Bethlehem)

30/31

Among highest risk

Crime breakdown in Harrismith

In 2025, Harrismith recorded 1,949 total crimes. The most prevalent crime in Harrismith is Sexual offences detected as a result of police action with 309 reported cases (15.9% of all crime in Harrismith), followed by Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs at 285 cases (14.6%) and All theft not mentioned elsewhere at 275 cases (14.1%).

Compared to 2024, crime in Harrismith has decreased by 6.9%, a positive sign for the Harrismith community.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common crimes in Harrismith?

The most reported crimes in Harrismith are Sexual offences detected as a result of police action (309 cases), Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (285 cases), All theft not mentioned elsewhere (275 cases). These figures are based on 2025 SAPS data.

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

Harrismith has a crime rate of 9,691 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)