Police were working hard to make Gauteng citizens feel safe, provincial commissioner Lt-Gen Mzwandile Petros said.

"Crime statistics are the tip of an iceberg. We are interested in people feeling safe in this province," Petros told reporters in Johannesburg, during an overview of Gauteng crime statistics for 2011/2012.

Serious crimes such as murder, armed robbery, rape and hijacking had decreased compared to the previous financial year.

The Victims of Crimes Survey, compiled by Stats SA, indicated to the police why some of the victims did not report crimes, and whether they felt safe in the province, said Petros. The last survey was released in September.

Victims indicated they wanted a quick response when they called for help, said Petros.

"Thus we have improved services by introducing sector policing in the last two-and-a-half years. We also directed resources to areas... such as plots, where people are the most vulnerable."

According to the survey, 74 percent of men in Gauteng said they felt safe when walking in the street at night in 2011, compared to 23 percent in 2010.

At least 25 percent of women felt safe walking at night, compared to nine percent in 2010.

"These statistics are not determined by us, but by the surveyors who talk directly to the victims. This is significant, as we try to make everyone feel safe."

Rural safety campaigns had also been introduced in areas such as Muldersdrift and Midrand.