WITH 6 939 crimes reported in Kouga and Koukamma between April 1, 2015 and March 31, 2016 - up 93 incidents from the year before - the area recorded an 1.4% increase in criminal activities.
This is according to the crime statistics as recorded by the South African Police Service (SAPS).
According to the statistics Jeffreys Bay is the most dangerous place to live in - coming in with 1 731 recorded criminal activities. Although the town sports the highest number of crimes in the area, it shows a decrease of 10.5% in relation to the previous year under review.
Humansdorp has the second highest crime rate with 1 743 reported incidents, an increase of 11.3%, followed by Joubertina (1 394), St Francis Bay (497), Hankey (491), Patensie (440), Thornhill (376) and Kareedouw (267).
Kareedouw boasts the biggest decrease in criminal activities - from 330 to 267 reported incidents (19.1%).
Some 69 people were killed in the year under review, resulting in a 9.5% increase in this contact crime. The highest number of murders was recorded in Joubertina (18), followed by Humansdorp (14) and Jeffreys Bay (13).
Reported sexual offences and incidents of attempted murder, showed an increase of 32 and 10 cases respectively.
Common assault increased from 436 to 499, while common robbery increased from 88 to 100.
Contact-related crimes, including arson and malicious damage to property, show a 7% increase.
Property-related crimes, including burglary and theft, increased from 1 747 reported cases to 1 898 in the year under review. Some 343 cases of burglary at residential properties were reported in Jeffreys Bay, 208 in Humansdorp and 207 in Joubertina.
Robbery from residential properties increased from 11 incidents to 20, with the majority recorded in Jeffreys Bay (11).
Jeffreys Bay is furthermore a hot spot for theft of motor vehicles (42) and theft out of motor vehicles (140).
Some 243 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and 1 236 residents were arrested for drug-related crimes.
On a more positive note, assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm, shows a decrease of 81 repor-ted incidents. Some 216 incidents were reported in Joubertina, 204 in Humansdorp and 120 in Jeffreys Bay. Robbery with aggravating circumstances sports a decline of 16 incidents - with the highest number of incidents reported in Jeffreys Bay (67) and Humansdorp (48).
