It’s no secret that the UK – especially so the capital – sees fluctuations in its rates of crime, and the incidents that really spark concern for residents and visitors alike. That’s been particularly apparent in the ongoing cost of living crisis which has driven more than ever to a life of criminality that we’d previously never seen.
We’ve drilled deeper into this in our recent exposé on the most stolen items from our supermarkets, but suffice it to say that there are significant, newfound issues with theft across the country. That’s especially true of theft from the person (also called pickpocketing or personal theft), which has seen a substantial rise in the last two to three years in particular.
This offence type – which we’ll be referring to as pickpocketing for ease of understanding – refers to any form of theft of items that you have on your person. It includes pickpocketing, the snatch theft of purses and handbags, and any theft that occurs without violence towards the victim.
With our latest deep-dive, we’ll be taking a detailed look at the worst areas for pickpocketing in both the UK as a whole, and specifically in the capital. We’ll examine the statistics you need to be most aware of, and what they might mean for those who live in, or visit, the capital.
With this report, we’ve taken a novel approach, choosing to separate the wider United Kingdom from its capital city when it comes to statistics around pickpocketing. There’s an extremely good reason behind this.
According to our research, 22 of the 25 worst areas for pickpocketing in the UK can be found in the boroughs and regions of London. This is contrary to every previous crime report we’ve published – there’s usually been a fair split between the capital and the rest of the UK, particularly so in our recent exploration of the UK’s worst areas for drug crime.
Instead, we’ve separated this report into two distinct sections – one that explores London’s worst areas for pickpocketing, and one that encompasses the wider UK. This allows us to better represent the issues the UK faces, and what they might mean for wherever you choose to live or visit.
Let’s break down the capital’s problem points for pickpocketing, and what they might mean for both London’s 8.8 million residents and its visitor figures that often exceed 20 million.
A leafy area nestled on the Northern fringes of the London area, Redbridge earns a spot among the city’s worst for pickpocketing. While there’s an undeniable countryside charm of Hainault and the borough’s other parklands, last year alone saw 1,242 pickpocketing offences – more than 3 every single day.
One of the commercial hubs of London’s South East, the retail attractions only do so much to mask the borough’s ongoing issues with pickpocketing and theft from the person. Last year alone saw 4 incidents per 1,000 residents, for a total of 1,201 pickpocketing offences.
Home to Wembley Stadium, with a skyline dominated by that iconic arch, a closer inspection of what appears to be an affluent area reveals Brent to be one of London’s most poverty-stricken boroughs. That’s reflected in its issues with pickpocketing, where last year alone saw 1,527 incidents.
Among the host boroughs for the roaringly successful London 2012 Olympics, Waltham Forest perches upon the borders of the equally leafy Essex. Despite the idyllic surroundings, as well as its serene walking trails along the River Lea, there’s a notable problem with personal theft. Last year witnessed around 4.6 pickpocketing incidents per 1,000 residents, or 1,268 in total.
Officially named as one of London’s most expensive boroughs for residential property, Hammersmith and Fulham’s opulence is best reflected in its equally magnificent stadia and exhibition centres. That wealth brings the wrong kind of attention, however, with the borough seeing 6.1 pickpocketing offences per 1,000 residents, for 1,134 offences in total.
Very much a borough of two halves, Haringey couples the affluence of some of London’s richest areas (like the exclusive Crouch End) against those with significant deprivation, such as Tottenham and Wood Green. That’s led to a drastic rise in the issues with theft from the person, with Haringey seeing 2,367 pickpocketing offences in the last year alone – approximately 6 every day.
The home borough of Canary Wharf, one of the world’s most influential and impactful financial districts, Tower Hamlets seamlessly juxtaposes that modernity against the iconic heritage of Tower Bridge and the Tower of London. It’s beneath that blend that we find the issues with pickpocketing, however, with the borough seeing 9.2 offences per 1,000 residents, for a total of 3,007 incidents.
A key sporting player in London’s football scene, and a major hub for commuters in its city airport, London Underground, and DLR links, Newham might come as a surprise inclusion on this list. However, with over 10 pickpocketing offences for every 1,000 people living in the area, and 3,818 offences in total, it more than earns its inclusion.
One of the largest tourist hubs across London, with the iconic Eye overlooking the sweeping banks of the Thames, Lambeth’s popularity is directly proportional to its issues with personal theft. The borough saw 3,443 incidents of pickpocketing in the last year alone, or around 9 incidents every single day.
A predominantly residential region towards the heart of the capital, Islington’s sporting heritage and cultural contributions are undeniable. However, less apparent are the borough’s ongoing problems with personal theft, with the last year alone witnessing 2,820 separate instances of pickpocketing – a startling 7 thefts every day.
Lending its name to London’s iconic black cabs, the borough of Hackney is one of the capital’s most diverse, spanning a full gamete of cultural, historical and sporting contributions. It also offers a less-savoury reputation for pickpocketing, with 3,853 offences (or more than 10 every day) in the last year alone.
Renowned as being one of the capital’s wealthiest boroughs, and home to many of its most illustrious residents, there’s an equally strong reputation for the area’s issues with criminality. That’s no more apparent than in its rate of personal theft, with the Met Police recording a startling 2,757 instances of pickpocketing in the last year alone.
When many think of London, it’s Southwark they imagine. The official home of the Shard, many of the city’s museums, and even the Shakespearean Globe theatre, there’s much of the city in this one borough. That unfortunately extends to the capital’s crime rate, with Southwark alone seeing 5,935 offences in the last year – amounting to over 16 offences every day.
Synonymous with the market at the beating heart of the borough, Camden’s position as one of London’s most stylish and slick areas has never really been in doubt. What has, however, is the borough’s crime rate, which has seen astronomical figures in recent years, especially so in the amount of personal theft. Last year alone witnessed 6,848 instances of pickpocketing.
Officially the capital’s worst area for pickpocketing, the borough of Westminster saw a staggering 28,155 instances of pickpocketing in just the last 12-month period. That’s more than 4 times higher than the next highest borough in the capital, and perhaps reflective of the streams of visitors and tourists the area sees daily.
Of course, the rates of pickpocketing don’t stay static – far from it. As we’ve just seen, there’s a myriad of factors that can and do affect the rates of pickpocketing, ranging from changing economic climates to the time of year.
A deeper dive into the statistics surrounding pickpocketing in London reveals significant movement over the last 12 months. Waltham Forest, for instance, saw a huge 71% increase when put up against the previous data we’d seen – a shocking 1,268 offences in 23/24, compared with 741 offences in 22/23.
That wasn’t the only sharp rise, either. Lewisham’s rate of pickpocketing skyrocketed by 64% (from 733 offences in 22/23 to 1,201 in 23/24), Newham’s rose by a concerning 54% (going from 2,479 offences in 22/23 to 3,818 in 23/24) and Tower Hamlets’ figures in pickpocketing spiked by 42% (rising from 2,114 offences in 22/23 to 3,007 in 23/24).
There are glimmers of hope in some boroughs, however. Bexley’s rate of pickpocketing fell by 15% over that same period (down to 188 offences in 23/24 from 222 in 22/23), while Sutton’s dipped by 10% (255 offences in 23/24, from 282 in 22/23) and Barnet’s by 6% (793 offences in 23/24 from 840 in 22/23).
Of course, while London takes the lion’s share of pickpocketing in the UK, it’s equally true that there are definitive points of concern in the wider UK. Let’s break down some of those hardest-hit areas.
While Leicester’s better known for its sporting heroics and student cohort, it’s cultivating a less-than-savoury reputation for criminal activity. While you can diver deeper with our complete guide to crime in Leicester, it’s the city’s 481 pickpocketing offences that earn it a spot among the UK’s worst.
A bastion of Yorkshire’s unique culture and heritage, and officially the UK’s City of Culture for 2025, Bradford’s inclusion among the UK’s most dangerous areas for pickpocketing is no doubt a surprise. However, with an estimated 1 in every 1,000 people falling victim to pickpocketing, and 731 offences in the last year alone, it’s clear to see why Bradford enters the rankings.
With roots that date back as far as the 6th century, and a proud history in both its industrial and cultural contributions, the sprawling town of Luton is one of few to play host to a major national airport. In spite it its obvious draws, Luton falls prey to a rising rate of pickpocketing, with the last year seeing 309 offences.
The quintessential seaside resort of Northern England, Blackpool holds a special place in the hearts of many, tied closely with seaside vistas, family holidays and sugary treats. It’s often overshadowed by its criminal issues, however, with the last year alone seeing 227 instances of pickpocketing.
The UK’s second-largest city, and one of only 3 to be home to more than 2 million residents, Birmingham’s attractions exceed description, from the Bullring to the expansive NEC. There’s a sour note in that, though, with last year seeing 2,016 instances of pickpocketing.
Concerned about Birmingham’s criminality? Discover more with our extensive report on the city.
One of England’s most infamous seaside destinations, and a glittering hub for coastal getaways and nightlife alike, Brighton’s rate of theft from the person is one of its few negatives. However, with the last year of data recording 499 pickpocketing offences, there’s mounting cause for concern.
An infamous walled city at the heart of the UK, Nottingham has long since been a crucial part of both the tales of myth and legend and the more tangible past of Britain. Now a thoroughly modern metropolis, Notts faces an ongoing battle against its rising rates of pickpocketing, with last year alone seeing 598 offences.
Yorkshire’s largest city, and a glimmering attraction that draws in everything from student cohorts to history buffs, there’s little to be said about Leeds that hasn’t already been committed to the page. However, less discussed is the city’s issues with pickpocketing, with last year alone seeing 1,532 offences – more than 3 every day.
A central hub for technological innovation in the southern reaches of England, it’s not Reading’s undeniable contributions to modern Britain that earn it a spot on this list. Instead, it’s the Berkshire town’s ongoing issues with pickpocketing, with 388 incidents over the last year of data.
The North East’s largest and most instantly recognisable city, Newcastle is a seamless blend of cultural contributions, sporting heritage and cutting-edge modernity. Spoiling that mix slightly, however, is the city’s ongoing issues with pickpocketing, where last year saw 713 instances of personal theft.
Often mistaken as part of London, the Watford area does much to define itself, with key attractions like the Warner Brothers’ Studio Tour and Vicarage Road drawing in regular throngs of visitors. With that popularity comes inherent risks, and Watford’s rate of pickpocketing (248 offences in the last year) earns it a spot among the UK’s worst.
There’s little to be said of Liverpool that’s not already been said time and again. That’s for good reason – it’s one of the duly-lauded cultural capitals of the UK and a major player in sports, arts and technology. Dig deeper, however, and you find ongoing issues with crime, especially so in the city’s figures around pickpocketing (1,274 offences in the last year).
One half of the UK’s twin universities, Cambridge’s reputation for the affluence and decadence of its study halls is undeniably warranted. Equally deserved, however, is the city’s ongoing battles with criminality, best exemplified by its rising rate of pickpocketing (416 offences) which earns it a spot among the UK’s worst outside the capital.
The second of two ancient university cities to make our rankings of the worst areas for pickpocketing in the UK, this is one leaderboard where Oxford won’t be seeking to rank above its academic rivals. But with 577 incidents of pickpocketing in the last year alone, it’s easy to see how it has earned that spot.
Often designated as the UK’s “second city” after the capital, Manchester’s position at the top of the UK’s worst areas for pickpocketing outside of London is perhaps no surprise. While that moniker usually refers to the city’s myriad of industrial, technological and cultural advancements, it’s just as true for the city’s rate of pickpocketing, with the last alone seeing 4,537 pickpocketing offences.
Much like London’s persistent issues with crime, the rest of the UK faces a similar uphill battle, especially so in the rates of pickpocketing in regions across the country. That’s most clearly exemplified by the 17% increase in the total amount of thefts from the person we saw in the last year – 131,453 offences in 23/24, compared with 112,225 in 22/23.
Of course, not all areas experienced as moderate a rise. The amber beaches and sweeping vistas of Cornwall weren’t immune from the UK’s ongoing issues with pickpocketing, with the region seeing the sharpest rise across the country – up by a colossal 74%, from 142 in 22/23 to 247 offences in 23/24.
Outside of that, it’s the North East that’s been most adversely affected by the spike in pickpocketing over the last year.
North Tyneside’s rate of pickpocketing rose by a worrying 69% (from 55 in 22/23 to 93 offences in 23/24), Gateshead’s figures climbed by 56% (from 79 in 22/23 to 123 offences in 23/24) and Newcastle-upon-Tyne’s pickpocketing statistics shot up by 53% (from 465 in 22/23 to 713 offences in 23/24).
That’s not true of everywhere in the UK, and we’d be remiss if we didn’t highlight the positives as well as the negatives when it comes to pickpocketing statistics. There are several areas – admittedly not as closely clustered as those that have seen increases – that have witnessed marked decreases in the amount of pickpocketing.
Chief among these is Stockton-on-Tees, whose statistics in theft from the person fell by an impressive 48% (80 offences in 23/24, down from 155 in 22/23). There were equally notable dips in the stats for both Warrington (down by 47%, from 128 to 68 offences) and South Worcester (down by 46%, from 146 to 79 offences).
One glowing omission from this article, and one that we feel we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention, is the prevalence of pickpocketing on public transport. Our rail network alone made 1.6 billion journeys last year, with hundreds of millions more made by bus, tram or underground rail.
That naturally means there’s a significant portion of pickpocketing offences in the UK that can’t be attributed to a specific location, or that fall outside the jurisdiction of any specific police force. Fortunately, the latest remit of data provides a huge insight into the issues our transportation systems face.
In fact, over the last year, there were 12,335 pickpocketing offences recorded by the British Transport Police. To put that into perspective, the previous year saw a comparatively low 8,527 instances of pickpocketing – that’s a rise of 44.7%, and a concerning move towards more crime on our railways, bus routes, and trams.
In the interest of providing a comprehensive and transparent overview of pickpocketing in the UK, we’ve used the most up-to-date figures from the Office of National Statistics. These provide an in-depth look at more than 300 locations across the UK and allow us to provide a robust examination of where pickpocketing and theft from the person is the most prevalent.
We’ve then opted to represent that data as a ratio of the number of offences per 1,000 people living in that area. This not only means that we’re able to provide a more easily digestible way of presenting our data, but also that we’re able to take into consideration key variables like population and area size.
