Lenasia has emerged among the country’s higher-ranking police stations for several serious crimes, with the latest South African Police Service (SAPS) statistics showing increases in trio crimes and robberies targeting homes and non-residential premises. The figures, covering April to June 2026, paint a mixed picture for the area. While carjackings and robbery with aggravating circumstances recorded decreases compared with the same period last year, other robbery categories moved in the opposite direction. The statistics form part of SAPS’s first-quarter crime report for the 2026/27 financial year.
One of the biggest increases was recorded in robbery at non-residential premises, which rose from 36 cases between April and June 2025 to 48 cases during the same period this year. This was an increase of 12 cases and placed Lenasia sixth nationally and fifth in Gauteng for the crime category. Robbery at residential premises also increased considerably. Police recorded 35 cases between April and June 2026, compared with 26 during the corresponding period last year – an increase of nine cases. Lenasia was ranked 11th nationally and fifth in Gauteng for residential robberies.
The increase continues an upward trend in residential robberies over the past two years. Lenasia recorded 21 cases during the corresponding period in 2022, 19 in 2023 and 18 in 2024. The figure then increased to 26 in 2025 before reaching 35 this year. Trio crimes have also climbed, with 91 cases recorded during the latest quarter compared with 84 last year, representing an 8.3% increase. Lenasia’s ranking in this category is particularly notable, with the station placed seventh nationally and third in Gauteng.
The latest trio crime figure is also the highest recorded for Lenasia across the five corresponding periods reflected in the report. There were 74 cases in 2022, 82 in 2023 and 63 in 2024 before the figure climbed to 84 last year and 91 this year. There was, however, some positive movement in carjacking. Cases declined from 50 between April and June 2025 to 45 during the latest quarter, a decrease of five. Despite the decline, Lenasia remained 10th nationally and sixth in Gauteng for carjackings.
The longer-term picture shows how carjacking numbers have fluctuated. There were 33 cases during the corresponding period in 2022, 45 in 2023 and 35 in 2024. Cases then increased sharply to 50 in 2025 before declining to 45 this year. Robbery with aggravating circumstances also recorded a slight improvement, dropping from 162 cases last year to 156 cases between April and June 2026, representing a decrease of six cases or 3.7%. Lenasia ranked 22nd nationally and 13th in Gauteng in this category.
These figures echo many of the crime concerns GLOBE POST continues to cover across Lenasia and neighbouring communities, where reports of hijackings, robberies, home invasions, business-related crime and other serious offences have regularly placed community safety in the spotlight. Recent GLOBE POST coverage has also highlighted the role played by SAPS, community policing forums, private security companies and residents in responding to crime. Incidents reported across the broader area have repeatedly raised questions about policing resources, community vigilance and the need for residents to work closely with law-enforcement structures.
However, the latest figures should be interpreted carefully. They specifically relate to Lenasia Police Station and should not automatically be regarded as statistics for Lenasia South, which falls under a separate policing precinct. SAPS also notes that its crime statistics represent the number of recorded charges or counts and not necessarily the number of individual case dockets. Overall, the latest numbers offer both encouraging and concerning signs. The decline in carjackings and robbery with aggravating circumstances is welcome, but the rise in robberies targeting homes and non-residential premises, together with the increase in trio crimes, shows that serious crime remains a significant challenge.
With Lenasia ranking as high as third in Gauteng for trio crimes and fifth in the province for both residential and non-residential robberies, the latest figures put renewed attention on crime prevention and the safety of residents, businesses and motorists in the area
