A Week on Watch: Beyond the Numbers in Nelson Mandela Bay
Crime
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A weekly incident report tells only part of the story. Behind the numbers are calls for help, medical emergencies and attempted break-ins that never became completed crimes.
Between 12 and 18 October, Atlas Security responded to 95 incidents across Nelson Mandela Bay, up 12% on the previous week. Our officers made 9 arrests—and their work extended well beyond responding to crime.
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Theft topped the list—but attempts tell a story too
Theft and burglary remained the most common categories, with 24 thefts, 13 attempted thefts, 12 burglaries and 8 attempted burglaries.
Together, these accounted for 60% of the week’s incidents. In 21 cases, the theft or break-in was not completed. These attempts highlight the value of visible security, early detection and a response team ready to act.
A useful task for this week: take a quick walk around your property. Pack away accessible tools, ladders and gas bottles, and check whether exposed copper piping needs additional protection. Small checks are an achievable place to start.
Beyond break-ins
Not every call was about crime. Our teams responded to 13 medical emergencies, above September’s weekly average of 10. That panic button isn’t just for an intruder—it’s for those moments when you need help.
At property boundaries, trespassing rose to 9 incidents, up from the usual one or two. A quick gate, beam and electric fence check is worth adding to this week’s to-do list.
There was encouraging news too: vehicle incidents halved to 4, and completed thefts dipped slightly compared with September’s weekly average.
Two hijackings and two kidnapping-related incidents were also recorded. Both are unusual in our weekly reports, and we’ll be watching whether that pattern continues.
A suburb count is not a safety ranking
Lorraine, Overbaakens and Summerstrand each recorded 6 incidents. Walmer, Vanes Estate and Gqeberha Central followed with 5 each, while many suburbs recorded just one.
These numbers show where Atlas recorded activity, including non-crime emergencies. They do not tell us which suburbs are safest, or represent every incident across the metro.
Looking out for each other starts with the everyday
Checking that a neighbour’s gate has closed. Noticing something unusual next door. Keeping a contact number handy.
Community safety includes these ordinary moments of looking out for one another. You don’t need to investigate something yourself—report what you’ve noticed and let our team assess it.
Our Refer a Neighbour programme is another way to help grow that connection. For every neighbour who joins Atlas, you receive one month of armed response and monitoring free. The more neighbours you refer who join, the more free months you earn.
To report suspicious activity, call our Control Room on 0861 585 585. If you need urgent assistance, use the Atlas Security App’s panic function or call the Control Room.
These figures reflect incidents recorded by Atlas Security, including non-crime emergencies. They are not the complete crime statistics for Nelson Mandela Bay.
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Successful Arrest by Atlas Security’s RIU Team Following Shooting Incident on Marine Drive, Summerstrand
January 28, 2025
Atlas Security's RIU Team acted swiftly to arrest a suspect involved in a shooting on Marine Drive, recovering a firearm and ammunition while ensuring the victim received prompt medical care.
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Weekly Crime Report: 7–13 September 2026
September 14, 2026
Atlas Security responded 90 incidents across the region between 7 and 13 September 2026, representing an 11% increase from the previous week, when 81 incidents were recorded.While the overall number increased, the data shows that the majority of incidents were concentrated around theft-related activity rather than more serious violent crime.
