Paarl Crime Statistics

Cape Winelands|1 suburb
3 of 4 quarters (Apr 2025 – Dec 2025) SAPS Data
Crime in Paarl decreased 10.8% year-on-year with 2,207 reported serious crimes, and is 29.6% below its pre-COVID level. The most reported crime is Drug-related crime (580 cases). Theft from vehicle saw the biggest decrease (-140).
About this data

These are raw crime counts from SAPS — not adjusted for population. Areas with more residents will naturally report more crimes. The most reliable indicator is the trend over time, which compares this area against its own history. Learn more

Crime volume

High

relative to other WC precincts

Reported crimes

2,207

2025-2026 · 9 of 12 months

Year-on-year

↓ 10.8%

fewer crimes vs 2024-2025

(based on 3 of 4 quarters)

vs pre-COVID baseline

↓ 29.6%

below 2018-2019

Crime in Paarl decreased 10.8% year-on-year, though crime levels remain high relative to other precincts.

What's changing?

Biggest year-on-year movements in crime categories

Theft from vehicle dropped significantly (-140) while Drug-related crime increased (+45).

Theft from vehicle-140
Shoplifting-73
Common robbery-50
Drug-related crime+45

Crime trend by year

Hollow points with dashed lines indicate years with fewer than 4 quarters of data. These totals may be lower because not all quarters have been released by SAPS.

Crime breakdown

Top reported offences in 2025-2026

Drug-related crime580
Theft from vehicle245
Common assault204
Business burglary190
Malicious damage180
Residential burglary137
Shoplifting130
Aggravated robbery101
View full crime breakdown table
Category2025-20262024-2025Change
Drug-related crime580535+45
Theft from vehicle245385-140
Common assault204239-35
Business burglary190153+37
Malicious damage180158+22
Residential burglary137164-27
Shoplifting130203-73
Aggravated robbery10189+12
Serious assault9185+6
Common robbery77127-50
Crimen injuria6165-4
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs5449+5
Attempted murder4065-25
Rape2126-5
Vehicle theft2035-15
Illegal possession of firearms and ammunition157+8
Robbery at non-residential premises1310+3
Sexual assault12120
Culpable homicide1013-3
Stock-theft517-12
Carjacking440
Kidnapping47-3
Murder46-2
Robbery at residential premises310-7
Arson220
Attempted sexual offences21+1
Contact sexual offences23-1
Abduction01-1
Bank robbery000
Neglect and ill-treatment of children000
Public violence000
Robbery of cash in transit01-1
Truck hijacking02-2

Compare with nearby areas

Other precincts in Cape Winelands

Sorted by total reported crimes (lowest first)

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about crime in Paarl

Check another area

Data Sources & Notes

  • Crime data: SAPS quarterly crime statistics
  • Population: Stats SA Census 2022 Municipal Factsheet
  • SAPS data reflects reported crime only. Crime reporting rates vary by area.
  • This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for safety or property decisions. Full disclaimer
  • Per-capita rates use Census 2022 residential population — daytime populations not captured.
  • Full methodology →