Knysna Crime Statistics

Knysna, Garden Route, Western Cape — Latest SAPS Crime Data

F1/100

Very High Risk

Total Crimes

4,671

+9.1% vs 2024

Crime Rate

15,598

per 100k

Safety Score

1/100

Grade F — Very High Risk

Population

39,927

Crime Breakdown — Knysna (2025)

Crime Category	Group	Cases	% of Total
Drug-Related Crime	detected	1,507	32.3%
All theft not mentioned elsewhere	other-serious	849	18.2%
Common assault	contact	679	14.5%
Assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm	contact	627	13.4%
Burglary at residential premises	property	425	9.1%
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs	detected	376	8.0%
Malicious damage to property	contact-related	359	7.7%
Commercial Crime	other-serious	328	7.0%
Theft out of or from motor vehicle	property	199	4.3%
Crimen Injuria	contact-related	168	3.6%
Common robbery	contact	121	2.6%
Shoplifting	other-serious	116	2.5%
Rape	contact	104	2.2%
Other aggravated robbery	other-serious	96	2.1%
Burglary at non-residential premises	property	95	2.0%
Sexual Assault	contact	23	0.5%
Arson	contact-related	20	0.4%
Illegal possession of firearms and ammunition	detected	17	0.4%
Robbery at residential premises	contact	17	0.4%
Murder	contact	16	0.3%
Theft of motor vehicle and motorcycle	property	15	0.3%
Culpable homicide	other-serious	12	0.3%
Robbery at non-residential premises	contact	12	0.3%
Kidnapping	contact	11	0.2%
Attempted Sexual Offences	contact	8	0.2%
Attempted murder	contact	8	0.2%
Contact Sexual Offences	contact	7	0.1%
Public violence	contact-related	5	0.1%
Carjacking	contact	3	0.1%
Neglect and ill-treatment of children	contact	3	0.1%
Sexual offences detected as a result of police action	detected	3	0.1%
Stock Theft	property	1	0.0%
Abduction	contact	0	0.0%
Bank Robbery	contact	0	0.0%
Robbery of cash in transit	contact	0	0.0%
Truck hijacking	contact	0	0.0%

Knysna Crime Trend (2018-2025)

Knysna Crime Breakdown (2025)

Is Knysna Safe?

No, Knysna has high crime levels.

Knysna scores 1/100 on our safety index, earning a Grade F (Very High Risk). The crime rate in Knysna is 15,598 per 100,000 people, significantly above the national average. Take extra precautions in Knysna, particularly after dark, and be aware of the predominant crime types in the area.

vs National Average

+409%

Well above average

Year-on-Year

+9.1%

Crime increasing

Top Crime

Drug-Related Crime

32% of all crime

Rank in Garden Route

21/21

Among highest risk

Crime breakdown in Knysna

In 2025, Knysna recorded 4,671 total crimes. The most prevalent crime in Knysna is Drug-Related Crime with 1,507 reported cases (32.3% of all crime in Knysna), followed by All theft not mentioned elsewhere at 849 cases (18.2%) and Common assault at 679 cases (14.5%).

Compared to 2024, crime in Knysna has increased by 9.1%, indicating a worsening trend for the Knysna area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common crimes in Knysna?

The most reported crimes in Knysna are Drug-Related Crime (1,507 cases), All theft not mentioned elsewhere (849 cases), Common assault (679 cases). These figures are based on 2025 SAPS data.

How does Knysna compare to other areas in Garden Route?

Knysna has a crime rate of 15,598 per 100k. Compared to other precincts in Garden Route, De Rust is safer with a rate of 1,034 per 100k.

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Other Precincts in Garden Route

Precinct	Population	Crimes	Rate	Safety
De Rust	39,927	310	1,034	B (72)
Still Bay	39,927	441	1,473	C (62)
Calitzdorp	39,927	484	1,615	C (59)
Uniondale	39,927	535	1,786	C (56)
Riversdale	39,927	655	2,186	D (49)
Groot Brakrivier	39,927	667	2,227	D (48)
Dysselsdorp	39,927	724	2,417	D (45)
Heidelberg(C)	39,927	792	2,645	D (43)
Kwanokuthula	39,927	853	2,848	D (39)
Albertinia	39,927	889	2,968	D (38)