It’s natural we’d look at the crime statistics for an area we’re considering. These key figures can factor into the region you choose to move to, as well as where you lay down the roots for your family, business or retirement plans.
Churchill Support Services completely understand that. As one of the UK’s leading providers of business and event security solutions, crime statistics are naturally one of the areas we’re concerned about. We’re firm believers that good education and information can provide the first steps towards staying safe and secure wherever you live.
With this article, we’ll look at the UK’s capital and break down crime stats on each individual borough of the city, the key facts you’ll need to know ahead of a move to London, and what to keep in mind for the security of your home and business.
We take our data from the official Metropolitan Police crime database, which helps us provide a completely objective and fair overview of each borough in the capital. This is for the last calendar year, so you know you’ve got the most up-to-date information.
We’ll then display this as a ratio of crimes per 1,000 people living in the area. This allows us to account for variables like population, and still allow you to make an informed decision on your London security.
We also discuss the most common crime in each area, and any standout statistics that we know you’d want to be aware of.
A sprawling and diverse metropolis, the greater London area spans over 600 square miles and is home to over 9 million people. An undulating landscape that ranges from the furrowed banks of the Thames to the heady heights of the Bishopsgate skyscrapers, it’s a city with undeniable charm and appeal.
While many rightly associate it with being one of the world’s economic powerhouses, London is in equal measure a residential area and a hub for the preservation of natural and constructed beauty. It’s this eclectic range that ultimately cements London as a premier destination for those from all walks and ways of life.
However, what’s perhaps not as attractive is the capital’s rate of crime. With a rate of 117.4 crimes per 1000 residents, the popularity of the Big Smoke can often be to its detriment in terms of criminal activity.
The most prevalent crime is theft, with over 262,000 incidents taking place over the last year, or around 25% of all total crime across the metropolitan area. There’s also high frequency across violence against the person (259,903 incidents) and vehicle offences (117,525 incidents), both of which prompt concern for London security.
However, while the overall crime rate in London is quite high, the different boroughs all have their own independent rate. Let’s break down each of these, and take a look at how their statistics compare to the capital overall.
One of the fastest growing London boroughs, the blend of green spaces with strong residential communities ensures that Barking & Dagenham is a tempting prospect for families and businesses alike. However, what’s not as appealing is the borough’s higher rate of crime, with a climbing rate of 123.9 crimes per 1000 residents.
Violent crime makes up a significant portion of that rate, with 7739 incidents taking place over the last year. Theft is also a soaring problem for Barking & Dagenham security, with 4,195 offences, or around 15% of all crime in the borough.
Deeply grounded in its military and religious history, Barnet is a leafy borough of the capital that encompasses everything from built-up areas to nature reserves. That tranquillity translates to a comparatively lower crime rate of just 86.1 crimes per 1000 residents.
The most common offence is violent crime, with 8469 incidents over the last year, but there’s also alarming figures in theft (6364 incidents) and vehicle offences (5361 incidents) that prompt more focus on Barnet security firms.
With its rich history as a former parish of Kent, Bexley is one of London’s more verdant boroughs, offering quaint towns and scenic walking routes that take in the listed buildings and lush greenery. It’s this equilibrium that solidifies the region’s crime rate of 81.2 crimes per 1000 residents.
Of course, while this is one of the lower rates in the wider London area, there are still areas that stand out. The chief among these, and the largest concern for Bexley security, is violent crime, with 6318 incidents over the last year – 31% of all crime in the borough.
Perhaps best known for housing the prestigious Wembley Stadium, the London borough of Brent is a nationwide hub for sport, live music and events. It’s unfortunately this reputation that brings with it an inflated crime rate of 113.1 crimes per 1000 residents.
The chief contributor to this rate is violent crime (10,576 offences), but there’s also notable figures in theft (7059 incidents) and vehicle offences (4042 incidents) that are a point of concern for the security of Brent businesses and homes.
Coupling the rurality of Kentish farmland with the hustle and bustle of modern London, Bromley offers a melding of cultures that’s unique across all the boroughs of the capital. It’s this blend of rural and urban that ensures a lower rate of crime – 84 crimes per 1000 residents.
There are still causes for concern, however. Bromley’s most common crimes are violent offences (7166 incidents), but there’s also high numbers across theft (5239 incidents) and vehicle offences (3624 incidents) that are equally concerning for businesses and homes in the borough.
Home to the globally famous Camden Markets, as well as a bustling scene for small and large businesses alike, the borough of Camden is often many people’s first thought when they imagine inner city London. Sadly, though, it’s that busyness that brings with it a colossal crime rate of 151.6 crimes per 1000 residents.
There’s multiple concerning statistics within that, such as exceptionally high rates of theft (16,669 incidents) and violent crime (7695 incidents), although perhaps the biggest concern for Camden business security is that these rates have stayed consistently high year-on-year.
The southernmost borough of the capital, Croydon is a thriving market district, with its former historical roots now giving way to modernity and retail spaces, as well as a strong sports scene in Selhurst Park. Its crime rate is slightly below the city as a whole, with 109.8 crimes per 1000 residents.
However, while it does fall below the city-wide rate, there’s still cause for concern, especially in the borough’s soaring numbers in violent crime (12,171 incidents) and theft (6863 incidents). There’s also a substantially high amount of arson and criminal damage offences (2704 incidents), meaning boosted focus on Croydon security is a must.
Possibly the London borough with the richest and most well-charted history, Ealing is situated in the heart of West London. With an illustrious cultural history thanks largely to its infamous Ealing Club and Film Studios, the borough’s crime rate is unfortunately a drawback of the area – 110.7 crimes per 1000 residents.
That’s largely down to the high figures in violent crime (10,921 offences) and theft (6422 offences), which make up over 45% of the crime in the borough, but there’s also a significant portion of vehicle offences (4851 incidents) that warrant concern for Ealing security and safety.
As one of London’s most heavily redeveloped areas, and one of its more historic boroughs, Enfield’s draws are abundantly clear to both homeowners and businesses. However, lurking below the surface is a crime rate that belies the borough’s position as a welcoming area – 111.1 crimes per 1000 residents.
While this is slightly below the average for the city, there’s concerning upwards trends in violent crime (10,011 incidents), theft (5841 incidents), and vehicle offences (5826 incidents) that all prompt further focus on Enfield security.
Best known for its association with the universal time constant, Greenwich is one of the four royal boroughs of London, and harbours a reputation as one of the more prestigious districts of the capital. However, that prestige is sullied slightly by the borough’s alarming crime rate of 119.2 crimes per 1000 residents.
The most prevalent issue is clearly violent crime (10,103 incidents), but high figures in both theft (6199 incidents) and vehicle offences (3625 incidents) show the cruciality of investing in good Greenwich security.
With some of the richest sporting heritage across the UK, Hammersmith & Fulham is one of the more affluent areas of the sprawling capital. However, while investment is high, so is the crime rate, with overall figures landing higher than London’s overall rate at 140 crimes per 1000 people.
There’s multiple soaring statistics in the borough, but of key concern for businesses and families alike are the high figures in theft (6675 incidents), violent crime (5955 incidents) and vehicle offences (3313 incidents).
One of the more geographically diverse boroughs of London, Haringey’s boundaries encompass swathes of green spaces and parkland, alongside built-up urban developments. Unfortunately, though, this delicate balance is upset by the climbing crime rate – 132.1 crimes per 1000 people.
Violent crime (8723 incidents) is the most prevalent issue, but there’s equally worrying stats across theft (7262 incidents) and vehicle offences (4863 incidents) that prompt increased focus on the security of Haringey businesses and homes.
One of London’s key commuter boroughs, Harrow strikes a masterful balance between well-maintained green spaces, strong educational options, and plentiful retail and business options. It’s this stability that means Harrow has one of the lower crime rates in the capital – 78.5 crimes per 1000 residents.
Of course, this doesn’t mean there’s no cause for concern. Significant figures in violent crime (5570 offences) and theft (3404 offences) are areas that still need to be considered in the interests of Harrow security.
London’s easternmost borough, Havering, is one of the least dense areas of the capital thanks to its huge proportion of Metropolitan Green Belt land. Nevertheless, the crime rate still continues to creep up, with the latest figures coming in at 94.7 crimes per 1000 residents – 9.6% higher than the previous year.
The top contributing crime to that rate is violence against the person (6736 incidents), but there’s also mounting concerns for the rates of theft (4204 incidents) and vehicle offences (3596 incidents) which could become a pressing issue for Havering security.
As the second largest of the London boroughs, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Hillingdon had a similarly large crime rate to match its area. However, the borough’s blending of green spaces with a flourishing economy equates to a crime rate of 103.8 crimes per 1000 people – 13% lower than the capital’s overall rate.However
There’s naturally still areas that prompt concern, though. High figures in violent crime (8482 incidents), theft (5079 incidents) and vehicle offences (4191 incidents) are all points that highlight the need for investment in Hillingdon security services.
From the hectic terminals of Heathrow, to the winding tributaries of the Thames, Hounslow is a microcosmic view of the whole city. However, with that compact view of the capital comes a relatively similar crime rate of 114.6 crimes per 1000 people.
There’s soaring figures in violent crime (9056 offences) and theft (5862 offences), but of equal concern for both homes and businesses across Hounslow are the higher rates of burglary (1707 offences) and arson and criminal damage (1846 offences).
One of the smallest London boroughs, Islington is perhaps best known for hosting the majestic Emirates Stadium, as well as being a key residential area that feeds into central London through an excellent public transport network. However, what’s not quite as good is the borough’s crime rate – 134.5 crimes per 1000 people, or around 14.5% higher than the citywide average.
The most commonplace crime in Islington is theft (10,048 offences), but high figures in violent crime (7708 offences) are of equal concern to safety and security across the London borough.
Infamous as one of London’s more affluent neighbourhoods, the royal borough of Kensington and Chelsea’s reputation often precedes it. However, what’s perhaps not as widely broadcasted is the district’s soaring rate of crime, with 157.2 crimes per 1000 residents.
Theft leads the way in terms of the most prevalent crime in the borough, with 8552 offences recorded over the last year. Violent crime (4723 incidents), vehicle offences (2933 incidents), and burglary (1510 incidents) are all causes for security concern, too.
The oldest of London’s royal boroughs, Kingston-upon-Thames is unsurprisingly well known for its links to the capital’s serpentine river. It’s also home to a huge range of retail options and attractions, and a relatively stable crime rate – just 84.6 crimes per 1000 residents.
That’s not to say there’s no cause for concern, though. Violent crime (3799 offences) and theft (3595 incidents) are both key areas of focus, and highlight the need to invest in security for your business and home.
Home to one of London’s most iconic landmarks and tourist attractions in the London Eye, as well as the vibrant live music scene of Brixton, the borough of Lambeth naturally draws a diverse crowd. However, what’s often not considered is the higher rate of crime in the area – 126.1 crimes per 1000 people.
Two different crimes are closely tied for the most prevalent in the borough. Theft (10,676 offences) and violent crime (10,416 offences) are arguably the most pressing concerns for Lambeth security, but there’s also a growing concern for drug offences (1780 incidents).
Located in the south-east of the capital, Lewisham is best known as the home of the prestigious Goldsmiths University of London, but its appeal goes far beyond that, attracting families and businesses alike. However, less appealing is its steadily rising crime rate of 113.6 crimes per 1000 people – a rise of almost 3% over the previous year.
The chief contributors to that overall rate are high figures in violent crime (9528 incidents), theft (6403 incidents) and vehicle offences (4026 incidents), all of which underscore the need for effective Lewisham security.
Often synonymous with both the Wimbledon tennis tournament and football club, the metropolitan borough of Merton has a deep and storied history in both sport and popular culture. It’s this cultural representation that contributes to Merton’s manageable crime rate of 83.2 crimes per 1000 residents.
Unfortunately, though, that’s a 5% increase over last year, with growing figures across all the more commonplace crimes in the borough. This includes violent crime (4637 incidents), theft (3177 incidents) and vehicle offences (2050 incidents).
A huge hub for tourism thanks to the ExCeL conference centre and the London Stadium, Newham is a borough that’s arguably seen more development than many other areas of the capital. Unfortunately, that development has brought with it an increased rate of crime, with an overall rate of 125 crimes per 1000 residents in the borough.
In that, there’s high rates across key areas of concern including violent crime (10,944 incidents), theft (10.427 incidents) and vehicle crime (5763 incidents), all of which underline the need for effective Newham security services.
Bordered to the north by the vast Epping Forest, Redbridge offers a well-balanced mix of residential areas, green spaces, and cultural spots. The borough is a key feeder region for businesses in the heart of the city, and its crime rate hovers at just below the citywide average – 98.2 crimes per 1000 residents.
The most prevalent issue for the borough, and arguably for London as a whole, is violent crime (8110 incidents), but there’s equally concerning figures in theft (5538 incidents) and vehicle offences (4597 incidents).
The picturesque borough of Richmond-upon-Thames is often synonymous with natural beauty and the winding bullrushes and banks of its eponymous river. It’s this idyllic backdrop, coupled with strong education and housing options, that mean Richmond-upon-Thames has the lowest crime rate of any borough – 71.1 crimes per 1000 residents.
Naturally, though, there are certain statistics that are worrying for residents and visitors. High figures in violent crime (3185 offences) and theft (2994 offences) serve to better spotlight the need for effective Richmond-upon-Thames security services.
One of the oldest and most historic parts of the city of London, Southwark’s heritage is best exemplified by its myriad museums, natural spaces and educational facilities. However, that rich history masks a soaring crime rate of 131.6 crimes per 1000 residents.
With alarming rates across theft (13,559 offences), violent crime (9047 offences) and burglary (2820 offences), there’s a clear and present need for investment in robust Southwark security solutions.
A central hub for some of London’s pioneering environmental projects, the borough of Sutton juxtaposes a burgeoning economy against rolling hectares of parks and green spaces. It’s that delicate balance that means Sutton has the 4th lowest crime rate across the capital, at just 82 crimes per 1000 residents.
Sutton’s main problems, though, stem from its gradually increasing rates of violent crime (4641 offences) and theft (2864 offences), which underline the need for effective Sutton security packages.
One of the Big Smoke’s most instantly recognisable boroughs, Tower Hamlets encompasses both medieval history with the Tower of London and Spitalfields, and the cutting edge of modernity and architecture on Canary Wharf and the docklands. What does let the borough down, though, is its climbing crime rates – 127.6 crimes per 1000 residents.
There’s spiking figures across both violent crime (10,728 offences) and theft (9688 offences), and the borough’s seen almost a 2% rise over last year’s statistics. Drug offences also represent a key point of concern for Tower Hamlets security, with 2328 incidents over the last year.
Fringed to the north and east by Essex’s Epping Forest, and the spiritual home of British arts and crafts thanks to the work of William Morris, Waltham Forest’s reputation often precedes it. However, what’s often not considered in that reputation is the borough’s crime rate, which hangs at 101 crimes per 1000 residents.
The main contributing crimes to that rate were violence against the person (7204 incidents), theft (5315 incidents), and vehicle offences (3833 incidents), but it’s equally important to consider that rates have fallen from last year by 1.3%.
Wandsworth is what many picture when they think of London. A suburban area that offers excellent links to the centre of the city, alongside the trademark parks and green spaces in Battersea Park and Wandsworth Common, it’s this fusion of culture and convenience that makes Wandsworth an attractive prospect.
Plus, with a comparatively low crime rate of 90.4 crimes per 1000 residents, down almost 5% on last year’s figures, it’s also one of the safer boroughs to choose. That rate is predominantly made up by violent crime (7795 incidents) and theft (6317 incidents), which serve to underscore the need for Wandsworth security.
Often associated with the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace, the London borough of Westminster is the epitome of London and its tourism. However, with that influx of visitors comes a much more inflated crime rate – a staggering 334.1 crimes per 1000 people, twice as high as any other London borough.
Over the last year, there were a startling 51,149 instances of theft, and 12,462 instance of violent crime, both of which were by the far most prevalent issues in Westminster. This represents a massive 41% increase over the previous year.
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