During the 1990s, National Statistical Agencies (NSAs) experienced significant and rapid evolution in the collection,
coordination and dissemination of statistics. In this regard, the field of crime statistics is regarded as one of the statistical
areas where NSAs have to increasingly play a leading role in coordinating the scope and quality of statistical collection and
dissemination. In South Africa, safety and security has been identified as one of the strategic priorities. Consequently this
increases the importance of and need for more comprehensive statistics on the patterns of crime and victimisation in the
country. The South African National Development Plan 2030 also states that by 2030, people living in South Africa should feel
safe and have no fear of crime. This paper examines the relationship between crime and victimisation statistics, and the impact
it has on the daily activities of South Africans. Policies related to safety and security can only begin to improve the living
conditions of ordinary citizens if they are based on evidence in this regard, comprehensive statistical databases that include
information not only from administrative sources, but also from victimisation surveys play a pivotal role. The results of the
Victims of Crime Survey (VOCS) 2011 revealed that most South Africans fear becoming victims of housebreaking and robbery.
Furthermore, many South Africans do not feel safe walking alone in their neighbourhood, and a significant proportion modify
their daily activities as a result of a fear of victimisation. The paper explores how these statistics inform crime prevention
policies and strategies and also establishes performance targets and indicators for the assessment of interventions and
progress in relation to safety and security.