Atlas Security Crime Stats | March 2026 1 - 31 March 2026 | Nelson Mandela Bay

March 2026 was one of the busiest months of the year so far for safety activity across Nelson Mandela Bay. Atlas Security responded to 427 incidents across the metro, up 13.0% on February's 378, and more than 65.5% higher than January's 258. Incidents were spread across 105 suburbs, with burglary-related callouts showing the sharpest month-on-month increase.

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Key Incident Overview

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The most common incidents recorded during March were:

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• Theft: 128 incidents
• Theft Attempt: 69 incidents
• Medical Emergencies: 60 incidents
• Burglary Positive: 58 incidents
• Burglary Attempt: 50 incidents
• Vehicle Accidents / Incidents: 20 incidents

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Residential and commercial properties were both significantly targeted, with 236 residential (55.3%) and 191 commercial (44.7%) incidents recorded. The busiest day of the month was Sunday 15 March with 22 incidents, followed closely by Saturday 14 March with 21.

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February vs March: What Changed

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The most significant shift month-on-month was in burglary-related incidents. Confirmed burglaries rose by 28.9% (from 45 to 58) and attempted burglaries climbed by 38.9% (from 36 to 50), bringing the combined burglary total from 81 in February to 108 in March, a 33.3% increase. Residential incidents also rose by 21.6%, from 194 to 236.

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Areas Most Impacted

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Higher incident volumes were recorded in:

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• Walmer (26 incidents)
• Summerstrand (22 incidents)
• Sidwell (20 incidents)
• Mosel (20 incidents)
• South End (16 incidents)
• Gqeberha Central (14 incidents)
• Bothasrus (13 incidents)
• Lorraine (12 incidents)
• North End (12 incidents)
• Kariega Central (11 incidents)

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Walmer retained its position as the most affected suburb for the second consecutive month. Sidwell and Gqeberha Central also featured prominently in both February and March, suggesting sustained activity in these areas. Incidents were spread across 105 suburbs metro-wide, reinforcing that community safety is a Nelson Mandela Bay-wide priority.

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What Atlas Security Is Doing

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Our teams remained highly visible and operationally active throughout March. Armed Response vehicles and Rapid Intervention Units (RIUs) continued to cover extensive ground across Nelson Mandela Bay, maintaining a strong deterrent presence and enabling rapid escalation when criminal activity was identified. Our CCTV infrastructure continued to play a key role in real-time monitoring and suspect identification. Atlas Security maintains close coordination with SAPS throughout all operations, ensuring suspects are properly processed and cases are opened where applicable. A total of 71 SAPS cases were opened in connection with incidents during March.

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‍How to Reduce Your Risk of Becoming a Victim

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With burglary-related callouts rising sharply, there are practical steps every resident and business owner can take to reduce their vulnerability:

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• Ensure all entry points are secured, including gates, doors, and windows, particularly at night and when leaving the property.
• Arm your alarm system every time you leave and when you go to bed. Many incidents in March involved properties where alarms were not activated.
• Install visible deterrents such as security lighting, electric fencing, and CCTV cameras. Criminals are less likely to target well-secured properties.
• Be alert to suspicious vehicles, particularly bakkies, parked near your property or circling your neighbourhood.
• Never leave valuables such as motorcycles, trailers, or tools in unsecured areas or visible from the street.
• Report suspicious activity immediately. Early reporting allows armed response to intervene before a crime is committed.
• Consider upgrading to AtlasVision AI camera surveillance for proactive monitoring and real-time alerts.

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Your World Secure In Our Hands. Contact Atlas Security on 0861 585 585

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