Crime in Cape Town’s central business district (CBD) declined drastically during the festive season with incidents such as robbery and theft decreasing by more than 50% compared to the same period the previous year.

According to the latest data from the Cape Town Central City Improvement District (CCID), the number of reported crime-related incidents dropped by 34%, from 406 to 267, between November 15 and January 15. At the same time, the number of arrests secured by the CCID in the CBD increased from 110 to 141.

The CCID attributes the sharp decrease in crime to its strategic crime prevention plan implemented from November 15 to February 15. The plan focused on risk identification, crime mitigation strategies and joint operations with law enforcement partners.

Complementing the efforts of law enforcement agencies and officers, the CCID provides security services in Cape Town’s CBD. It employs 323 public safety officers who are deployed in 24/7 shifts 365 days a year.

The CCID’s Safety and Security Manager Jurie Bruwer emphasised the organisation’s ongoing commitment to making the CBD safer for residents, workers and visitors. “Providing a visible policing presence in the inner city is a key priority. Our festive season plan focused on identifying risks, implementing measures to mitigate them and working closely with our partners to ensure public spaces remained safe,” said Bruwer.

“It’s our responsibility to ensure that visitors, residents and people doing business in the Cape Town CBD feel safe and secure.”