{"license":"CC BY 4.0 — attribution: IsMyTripSafe.com","source":"https://ismytripsafe.com/south-africa/east-london","updatedAt":"2026-09-30T16:26:39.797Z","place":{"city":"East London","country":"South Africa","countryCode":"ZA","lat":-33.01529,"lon":27.91162},"safety":{"score":38,"level":"CAUTION","answer":"Caution advised","saferThanPctOfCountries":24,"confidence":0.68,"caps":[],"databaseScore":36,"travellerSentiment":{"score":47,"label":"Caution advised","summary":"Traveler reports indicate significant safety concerns, with visitors urged to exercise high caution due to prevalent robbery risks and moderate pickpocketing threats in public areas.","weightInScore":0.18,"components":[{"label":"Reported feel","score":47,"weight":0.35},{"label":"Robbery risk","score":34,"weight":0.45},{"label":"Pickpocket risk","score":78,"weight":0.2}]},"categories":[{"key":"crime","label":"Crime","score":29,"tier":1},{"key":"sentiment","label":"Traveller Sentiment","score":47,"tier":1},{"key":"advisories","label":"Advisories","score":72,"tier":2},{"key":"stability","label":"Stability","score":62,"tier":2},{"key":"health","label":"Health & Air","score":69,"tier":2}]},"advisories":[{"source":"U.S. Department of State","level":2,"label":"Exercise Increased Caution","updated":"Tue, 27 May 2025","url":"https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/south-africa-travel-advisory.html"},{"source":"UK Foreign Office (FCDO)","level":1,"label":"No advisory against travel","updated":"2026-07-21T14:07:51Z","url":"https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/south-africa"},{"source":"Government of Canada","level":2,"label":"Exercise a high degree of caution","updated":"2026-09-28T10:34:37.840000-04:00","url":"https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/south-africa"}],"indicators":[{"key":"homicide","label":"Homicide rate","value":43.7202551331462,"display":"43.7 / 100k","year":"2022","score":7,"source":"World Bank Open Data"},{"key":"crime_major_constraint","label":"Crime seen as a major business constraint","value":40.4,"display":"40.4%","year":"2007","score":26,"source":"World Bank Enterprise Surveys"},{"key":"terrorism_deaths_pm","label":"Terrorism deaths (latest year)","value":0.1235572394897154,"display":"0.12 / million","year":"2021","score":91,"source":"Global Terrorism Database"},{"key":"road_deaths","label":"Road traffic deaths","value":24.5,"display":"24.5 / 100k","year":"2021","score":33,"source":"WHO Global Health Observatory"},{"key":"stability","label":"Political stability & no terrorism","value":55.3527432,"display":"55/100","year":"2024","score":55,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"rule_of_law","label":"Rule of law","value":57.2693915,"display":"57/100","year":"2024","score":57,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"corruption","label":"Control of corruption","value":43.9726469,"display":"44/100","year":"2024","score":44,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"gov_effectiveness","label":"Government effectiveness","value":46.9478119,"display":"47/100","year":"2024","score":47,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"regulatory","label":"Regulatory quality","value":53.9146724,"display":"54/100","year":"2024","score":54,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"voice","label":"Voice & accountability","value":67.4781439,"display":"67/100","year":"2024","score":67,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"city_population_scale","label":"Urban scale factor","value":478676,"display":"479k residents","year":null,"score":76,"source":"City Geocoding"},{"key":"numbeo_crime_index","label":"Crime index (crowdsourced)","value":74.5,"display":"74.5 / 100","year":null,"score":22,"source":"Numbeo Crime Index"},{"key":"safe_walking_dark","label":"Feel safe walking alone after dark","value":37,"display":"37.0%","year":"2022","score":30,"source":"UN SDG Global Database"},{"key":"human_trafficking_victims","label":"Detected human-trafficking victims","value":0.03,"display":"0.03 / 100k","year":"2022","score":92,"source":"UN SDG Global Database"},{"key":"bribery_contact_rate","label":"Bribery during public-official contact","value":18,"display":"18.0%","year":"2019","score":62,"source":"UN SDG Global Database"},{"key":"air_quality","label":"Air quality","value":52,"display":"US AQI 52 · Moderate","year":null,"score":89,"source":"Open-Meteo Air Quality"},{"key":"health","label":"Travel health notices","value":null,"display":"3 global notices","year":null,"score":92,"source":"CDC Travelers' Health"},{"key":"hospitals","label":"Hospitals nearby","value":9,"display":"9 within 15 km · nearest ~1.1 km","year":null,"score":88,"source":"OpenStreetMap"},{"key":"weather","label":"Extreme weather","value":28,"display":"September: highs ~28°C · strong winds","year":null,"score":82,"source":"Open-Meteo"},{"key":"natural_hazards","label":"Natural hazards","value":0,"display":"No active alerts · low seismicity","year":null,"score":100,"source":"GDACS / USGS"},{"key":"advisory","label":"Government travel advisory","value":2,"display":"Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution · 2 govts","year":null,"score":50,"source":"CA / US"}],"healthNotices":[{"level":"Alert","title":"Global Polio","url":"https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level2/global-polio"},{"level":"Watch","title":"Global Dengue","url":"https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level1/dengue-global"},{"level":"Watch","title":"Global Measles","url":"https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level1/measles-globe"}],"hazardAlerts":[],"fieldResearch":{"verdict":"No — East London presents significant safety concerns for travelers, requiring a high degree of caution due to high robbery and moderate pickpocketing risks.","summary":"East London's safety profile shows elevated crime risks, with armed robbery and mugging common after dark and in isolated areas, while pickpocketing occurs in crowded public spaces and on transport. Visitor sentiment reflects caution, and recent protests involving foreigners highlight localized tensions. Basic precautions like avoiding night travel alone and securing valuables are essential.","robberyRisk":{"level":"High","note":"Armed robbery and mugging are common risks for visitors, particularly after dark and in isolated areas such as townships and near transport hubs."},"pickpocketRisk":{"level":"Moderate","note":"Pickpocketing and bag-snatching occur in crowded public spaces, markets, and on public transport; remain vigilant with belongings."},"safeAreas":["Southernwood","Gonubie","Quigney"],"avoidAreas":["Mdantsane (high crime, including robbery and assault; avoid for visitors)"],"scams":["Distraction pickpocketing in markets and on public transport","Fake tour guides offering unsolicited help near transport hubs"],"zones":[{"name":"Beachfront (Esplanade)","level":"caution","note":"Popular with tourists but pickpocketing and bag-snatching reported in crowded areas, especially after dark."},{"name":"Southernwood","level":"safe","note":"Affluent suburb with low crime rates, well-patrolled, and considered one of the safest areas for visitors."},{"name":"West Bank","level":"caution","note":"Mixed-use area with some crime; exercise caution after dark and avoid isolated streets."},{"name":"East London CBD","level":"caution","note":"Central business district sees moderate pickpocketing and robbery; remain vigilant with belongings, especially at transport hubs."},{"name":"Gonubie","level":"safe","note":"Coastal suburb north of the city with low crime, popular for beaches and generally safe during daylight hours."},{"name":"Mdantsane","level":"avoid","note":"Large township adjacent to East London with high crime rates, including robbery and assault; not recommended for visitors."},{"name":"Berlin","level":"caution","note":"Industrial area with sporadic crime; avoid after dark and remain alert to theft risks near factories and transport routes."},{"name":"Quigney","level":"safe","note":"Residential area near the beach with low crime, good lighting, and frequent patrols; safe for walking during day and early evening."}]}}