GEORGE NEWS - George Police Precinct has entered the festive season under a dark cloud as it now tops the Western Cape for drunk driving, recording a shocking 142 cases between July and September this year.

This places the George policing area first in the province for driving under the influence, according to the latest 2025 second-quarter crime statistics, raising huge concerns about road safety as holiday traffic begins to increase dramatically.

In a statement last week, Western Cape Mobility Minister Isaac Sileku expressed deep concern at the spike in drunk driving incidents in the province following the arrest of 24 motorists in just one week. 

"Every driver who gets behind the wheel after drinking is a danger not only to themselves, but to every person on the road. As we approach the festive season, we are intensifying enforcement to ensure that law-abiding road users can travel safely," he said.

He warned motorists that driving under the influence will not be tolerated and that they will continue to take decisive action against offenders.

Overall, serious crime is down in the broader George area, but violent assaults, residential burglaries and drug-related offences are on the rise. Thembalethu is currently 13th in the province for sexual offences with 28 cases reported, and first in the province for burglaries at non-residential premises with eight cases reported.

The latest crime statistics reveal a mixed picture: while community-reported crime has declined in several areas, police-detected offences, particularly drug and alcohol-related cases, have surged. 

George ranks among the top 20 police stations in South Africa for crime detection, showing intensified police operations through roadblocks, patrols and targeted interventions.

George

The George Police Station saw serious crime falling by 6.4%, from 879 cases last year to 823 this year. Crimes against the person dropped by 6.2%, with murders falling from three to none, and robbery with aggravating circumstances decreasing by five cases. 

Common robbery saw the largest decline. However, sexual offences increased slightly, from 15 to 18, with sexual assaults doubling from three to six. Property crimes were uneven: residential burglaries rose 18%, from 61 to 72, while non-residential burglaries and vehicle thefts declined.

Police-detected offences jumped by more than a third, including an 83-case increase (341) in drug-related crime, placing them in the number 24 position in the province for these kind of crimes. These came alongside rises in driving under the influence and illegal firearm possession.

Conville

Conville also showed a reduction in community-reported crime, with overall serious crime down 3.8% and contact crimes dropping from 236 to 196. Common assault fell from 91 to 62, and murders decreased from 10 to four.

Sexual offences, however, rose from 12 to 18, largely owing to a jump in rape cases from eight to 13. Residential burglaries declined from 59 to 50, while non-residential burglaries increased slightly. Police-detected crime surged 44%, with drug offences up 84, DUI arrests doubling, and illegal firearm possession tripling.

Thembalethu

Thembalethu experienced the sharpest rise in crime, with serious offences climbing 27.3%, from 634 to 770 cases. Contact crimes increased by 20%, driven by assaults with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm (113 to 128) and a near doubling of robberies with aggravating circumstances (32 to 62). 

Murders decreased slightly from 11 to 10, but rape cases rose from 18 to 24. 

Residential burglaries increased from 49 to 78, stock theft rose from zero to six, and other serious crimes jumped more than 50%. Police-detected offences increased by 34.7%, including a notable rise in drug-related cases.

Thembalethu experienced the sharpest rise in crime, with serious offences climbing from 634 to 770 cases.

Pacaltsdorp

In Pacaltsdorp, serious crime rose by 21.4%, from 346 to 420 cases. Contact crimes increased slightly, with common assault up 25%.

Residential burglaries rose from 45 to 50, and theft from motor vehicles jumped from 20 to 29. 'Other serious crime' surged 69%, largely owing to theft not elsewhere classified and commercial crime. Police-detected offences increased 51%, with drug-related cases up nearly 49% and DUI arrests also rising. Kidnapping, previously stable at one case, increased to four.

Overall, the statistics show that while violent contact crimes and vehicle thefts have declined in some areas, Thembalethu and Pacaltsdorp face rising violent crimes, aggravated robberies and property offences.

Garden Route

Across the Garden Route District, overall serious crime has fallen slightly from 7 160 cases in 2024 to 6 838 in 2025, according to the second quarter's stats.

Contact crimes dropped by 3.4%, although attempted murder increased from 48 to 64 cases. Property-related offences declined by 6.3%, with residential burglaries down from 826 to 749, while general theft rose by 7.3%. 

Crimes detected as a result of police action surged by 37.2%, driven largely by drug-related cases, which jumped from 2 008 to 2 801, and arrests for driving under the influence, up from 473 to 606. Kidnapping also rose, from 13 to 21 cases.

As the festive season approaches, residents are urged to remain vigilant. Strengthening home security, not leaving valuables in vehicles, and taking precautions on smallholdings are essential.

Community members are encouraged to report suspicious activity and participate in neighbourhood watch initiatives.

‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’