In the first ever ‘shadow’ report, the provincial MEC, Dan Plato, has given more detail to Cape Town’s crime statistics, using information gathered from police reports and mortuaries. The biggest shock? A lot of 18 – 35 year-old Capetonians are getting stabbed, making up the majority of murder victims.

The Western Cape Department of Community Safety is looking at releasing similar reports on a more regular basis, hoping for it to ultimately become a quarterly event. The report classifies crimes by age, gender, race and policing precinct. Here are some highlights you need to know:

The highest crime areas in Cape Town are Nyanga and Khayalitsha, with the highest rates of murder. Murder rates are also high in gang-infested areas, such as Mitchell’s Plain and Lavender Hill. The majority of murder victims in 2011 were young people, so if you’re under the age of 35, you may need to keep an eye on your shadow.

Dan Plato had the following to say:

The number of murders by shootings in gang areas is significantly higher than the provincial norm, and I think that is also very important. All of this information demonstrates the significance of localised information which can now be used for more specific interventions that can have a far deeper impact.

[Source: EWN]