Durban Central Crime Statistics

Durban Central, Durban (eThekwini), KwaZulu-Natal — Latest SAPS Crime Data

F5/100

Very High Risk

Total Crimes

7,507

-4.2% vs 2024

Crime Rate

9,915

per 100k

Safety Score

5/100

Grade F — Very High Risk

Population

100,950

Crime Breakdown — Durban Central (2025)

Crime Category	Group	Cases	% of Total
Commercial Crime	other-serious	1,532	20.4%
All theft not mentioned elsewhere	other-serious	1,276	17.0%
Theft out of or from motor vehicle	property	1,008	13.4%
Drug-Related Crime	detected	996	13.3%
Other aggravated robbery	other-serious	876	11.7%
Common robbery	contact	715	9.5%
Common assault	contact	588	7.8%
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs	detected	475	6.3%
Sexual offences detected as a result of police action	detected	463	6.2%
Shoplifting	other-serious	429	5.7%
Theft of motor vehicle and motorcycle	property	391	5.2%
Malicious damage to property	contact-related	200	2.7%
Assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm	contact	195	2.6%
Burglary at non-residential premises	property	187	2.5%
Kidnapping	contact	112	1.5%
Rape	contact	88	1.2%
Murder	contact	71	0.9%
Attempted murder	contact	68	0.9%
Illegal possession of firearms and ammunition	detected	56	0.7%
Crimen Injuria	contact-related	52	0.7%
Culpable homicide	other-serious	52	0.7%
Robbery at non-residential premises	contact	44	0.6%
Burglary at residential premises	property	43	0.6%
Carjacking	contact	37	0.5%
Sexual Assault	contact	33	0.4%
Robbery at residential premises	contact	8	0.1%
Attempted Sexual Offences	contact	7	0.1%
Neglect and ill-treatment of children	contact	4	0.1%
Arson	contact-related	3	0.0%
Public violence	contact-related	3	0.0%
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%
Stock Theft	property	0	0.0%
Truck hijacking	contact	0	0.0%

Durban Central Crime Trend (2018-2025)

Durban Central Crime Breakdown (2025)

Is Durban Central Safe?

No, Durban Central has high crime levels.

Durban Central scores 5/100 on our safety index, earning a Grade F (Very High Risk). The crime rate in Durban Central is 9,915 per 100,000 people, significantly above the national average. Take extra precautions in Durban Central, particularly after dark, and be aware of the predominant crime types in the area.

vs National Average

+223%

Well above average

Year-on-Year

-4.2%

Relatively stable

Top Crime

Commercial Crime

20% of all crime

Rank in Durban (eThekwini)

42/42

Among highest risk

Crime breakdown in Durban Central

In 2025, Durban Central recorded 7,507 total crimes. The most prevalent crime in Durban Central is Commercial Crime with 1,532 reported cases (20.4% of all crime in Durban Central), followed by All theft not mentioned elsewhere at 1,276 cases (17.0%) and Theft out of or from motor vehicle at 1,008 cases (13.4%).

Compared to 2024, crime in Durban Central has decreased by 4.2%, a positive sign for the Durban Central community.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common crimes in Durban Central?

The most reported crimes in Durban Central are Commercial Crime (1,532 cases), All theft not mentioned elsewhere (1,276 cases), Theft out of or from motor vehicle (1,008 cases). These figures are based on 2025 SAPS data.

How does Durban Central compare to other areas in Durban (eThekwini)?

Durban Central has a crime rate of 9,915 per 100k. Compared to other precincts in Durban (eThekwini), Umsunduzi is safer with a rate of 375 per 100k.

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Other Precincts in Durban (eThekwini)

Precinct	Population	Crimes	Rate	Safety
Umsunduzi	100,950	284	375	A (89)
Hammarsdale	100,950	352	465	A (86)
Inchanga	100,950	555	733	B (79)
Umbumbulu	100,950	590	780	B (78)
Malvern	100,950	801	1,058	B (72)
Kwandengezi	100,950	805	1,063	B (71)
Lamontville	100,950	814	1,075	B (71)
Folweni	100,950	928	1,225	B (68)
Mayville-Kzn	100,950	1,101	1,454	C (63)
Bellair	100,950	1,115	1,473	C (62)