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Most improved suburbs in Cape Town

These suburbs have seen the biggest year-on-year decline in weighted crime harm-days, signalling a meaningful improvement in reported crime patterns.

"Most improved" means the largest statistically significant decrease in the Crime Harm Index weighted sum between the 2025 and 2026 reporting periods. Only suburbs with at least 500 residents are included. This is a relative measure comparing suburbs within Cape Town - not an absolute safety guarantee. Source: SAPS via DataFirst, Q4 2025/2026.

Most improved suburbs in Cape Town by year-on-year crime reduction
#SuburbSafety indexTrendMedian value
1KalkfonteinHigher reported crime29/100Significant decreaseR0-200k
2SareptaHigher reported crime33/100Significant decreaseR6-800k
3DennegeurLower reported crime99+/100Significant decreaseR3.5-4M
4Die WingerdModerate reported crime66/100Significant decreaseR2-2.5M
5Golden AcreLower reported crime68/100Significant decreaseR3-3.5M
6Helderberg EstateLower reported crime99+/100Significant decreaseR3.5-4M
7Helderberg VillageLower reported crime99+/100Significant decreaseR4-4.5M
8HeldervueModerate reported crime45/100Significant decreaseR2.5-3M
9Helena HeightsLower reported crime67/100Significant decreaseR2.5-3M
10Parel ValleiModerate reported crime66/100Significant decreaseR3-3.5M
11Somerset RidgeModerate reported crime47/100Significant decreaseR1.5-2M
12Van Der StelLower reported crime99+/100Significant decreaseR1-1.5M
13KhayelitshaHigher reported crime23/100Significant decreaseN/A
14Belthorn EstateHigher reported crime31/100Significant decreaseR1.5-2M
15CrawfordHigher reported crime32/100Significant decreaseR1.5-2M
16LansdowneHigher reported crime28/100Significant decreaseR1-1.5M
17MountviewModerate reported crime35/100Significant decreaseR1-1.5M
18Penlyn EstateModerate reported crime35/100Significant decreaseR1-1.5M
19Rondebosch EastModerate reported crime34/100Significant decreaseR1.5-2M
20WettonModerate reported crime36/100Significant decreaseR1-1.5M
1KalkfonteinHigher reported crime
Safety index29/100
TrendSignificant decrease
Median valueR0-200k
2SareptaHigher reported crime
Safety index33/100
TrendSignificant decrease
Median valueR6-800k
3DennegeurLower reported crime
Safety index99+/100
TrendSignificant decrease
Median valueR3.5-4M
4Die WingerdModerate reported crime
Safety index66/100
TrendSignificant decrease
Median valueR2-2.5M
5Golden AcreLower reported crime
Safety index68/100
TrendSignificant decrease
Median valueR3-3.5M
6Helderberg EstateLower reported crime
Safety index99+/100
TrendSignificant decrease
Median valueR3.5-4M
7Helderberg VillageLower reported crime
Safety index99+/100
TrendSignificant decrease
Median valueR4-4.5M
8HeldervueModerate reported crime
Safety index45/100
TrendSignificant decrease
Median valueR2.5-3M
9Helena HeightsLower reported crime
Safety index67/100
TrendSignificant decrease
Median valueR2.5-3M
10Parel ValleiModerate reported crime
Safety index66/100
TrendSignificant decrease
Median valueR3-3.5M
11Somerset RidgeModerate reported crime
Safety index47/100
TrendSignificant decrease
Median valueR1.5-2M
12Van Der StelLower reported crime
Safety index99+/100
TrendSignificant decrease
Median valueR1-1.5M
13KhayelitshaHigher reported crime
Safety index23/100
TrendSignificant decrease
Median valueN/A
14Belthorn EstateHigher reported crime
Safety index31/100
TrendSignificant decrease
Median valueR1.5-2M
15CrawfordHigher reported crime
Safety index32/100
TrendSignificant decrease
Median valueR1.5-2M
16LansdowneHigher reported crime
Safety index28/100
TrendSignificant decrease
Median valueR1-1.5M
17MountviewModerate reported crime
Safety index35/100
TrendSignificant decrease
Median valueR1-1.5M
18Penlyn EstateModerate reported crime
Safety index35/100
TrendSignificant decrease
Median valueR1-1.5M
19Rondebosch EastModerate reported crime
Safety index34/100
TrendSignificant decrease
Median valueR1.5-2M
20WettonModerate reported crime
Safety index36/100
TrendSignificant decrease
Median valueR1-1.5M

How this ranking works

The Crime Harm Index (CHI) weights each crime category by the minimum sentence under South African law (Murder = 5,475 imprisonment days, Shoplifting = 2 days). This ranking compares the total weighted harm-days between two consecutive reporting periods and uses an Anscombe variance-stabilising z-score to identify statistically significant decreases.

Suburbs are ranked by the magnitude of their z-score decline. A more negative z-score indicates a larger, more statistically reliable improvement. Only suburbs showing at least a "moderate decrease" (z < -2) qualify for this list.

Crime trends are inherently volatile. A single year of improvement does not guarantee a sustained trajectory. Always consider multi-year patterns when making decisions.

Read the full methodology →