Sydenham Crime Statistics

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

D38/100

High Risk

Total Crimes

2,261

-8.7% vs 2024

Crime Rate

2,987

per 100k

Safety Score

38/100

Grade D — High Risk

Population

100,950

Crime Breakdown — Sydenham (2025)

Crime Category	Group	Cases	% of Total
All theft not mentioned elsewhere	other-serious	508	22.5%
Drug-Related Crime	detected	345	15.3%
Common assault	contact	244	10.8%
Commercial Crime	other-serious	236	10.4%
Burglary at residential premises	property	217	9.6%
Other aggravated robbery	other-serious	185	8.2%
Assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm	contact	175	7.7%
Theft out of or from motor vehicle	property	175	7.7%
Theft of motor vehicle and motorcycle	property	163	7.2%
Malicious damage to property	contact-related	132	5.8%
Attempted murder	contact	85	3.8%
Shoplifting	other-serious	63	2.8%
Robbery at residential premises	contact	59	2.6%
Murder	contact	57	2.5%
Common robbery	contact	53	2.3%
Rape	contact	52	2.3%
Kidnapping	contact	49	2.2%
Robbery at non-residential premises	contact	39	1.7%
Culpable homicide	other-serious	33	1.5%
Illegal possession of firearms and ammunition	detected	28	1.2%
Crimen Injuria	contact-related	27	1.2%
Burglary at non-residential premises	property	25	1.1%
Carjacking	contact	23	1.0%
Sexual Assault	contact	17	0.8%
Public violence	contact-related	8	0.4%
Arson	contact-related	7	0.3%
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs	detected	4	0.2%
Attempted Sexual Offences	contact	3	0.1%
Neglect and ill-treatment of children	contact	1	0.0%
Sexual offences detected as a result of police action	detected	1	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%

Sydenham Crime Trend (2018-2025)

Sydenham Crime Breakdown (2025)

Is Sydenham Safe?

No, Sydenham has high crime levels.

Sydenham scores 38/100 on our safety index, earning a Grade D (High Risk). The crime rate in Sydenham is 2,987 per 100,000 people, significantly above the national average. Take extra precautions in Sydenham, particularly after dark, and be aware of the predominant crime types in the area.

vs National Average

-3%

Below average

Year-on-Year

-8.7%

Crime decreasing

Top Crime

All theft not mentioned elsewhere

22% of all crime

Rank in Durban (eThekwini)

29/42

Mid-range

Crime breakdown in Sydenham

In 2025, Sydenham recorded 2,261 total crimes. The most prevalent crime in Sydenham is All theft not mentioned elsewhere with 508 reported cases (22.5% of all crime in Sydenham), followed by Drug-Related Crime at 345 cases (15.3%) and Common assault at 244 cases (10.8%).

Compared to 2024, crime in Sydenham has decreased by 8.7%, a positive sign for the Sydenham community.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common crimes in Sydenham?

The most reported crimes in Sydenham are All theft not mentioned elsewhere (508 cases), Drug-Related Crime (345 cases), Common assault (244 cases). These figures are based on 2025 SAPS data.

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

Sydenham has a crime rate of 2,987 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)