Crime in Islington district: statistics, rates and trends
41,000 crimes were recorded in Islington district in the 12 months to July 2026, 183.8 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 1% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Islington district at a glance
- Crime trends in Islington district
- Types of crime in Islington district
- Islington district compared with nearby districts
- Areas within Islington district
- Streets with the most crime in Islington district
- What happened after crimes were reported in Islington district
- Population and deprivation in Islington district
- Questions about crime in Islington district
- About this data
41,000 crimes were recorded in Islington district in the 12 months to July 2026, 183.8 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 1% on the year before. The most common offence was anti-social behaviour, with 9,187 reports (22% of the total).
Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Islington district has the 6th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Islington district | London | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 41,000 | 1,130,928 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 183.8 | 124.4 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -1% | -2% | -1% |
| Population | 223,024 | 9,089,736 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Islington district was highest in the year to July 2025 (41,569 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2022 (35,225). Over the whole period it rose 12%, against a fall of 4% across England and Wales. Rates use today's population for every year, so they show the direction of change rather than exact historic rates.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 41,000 | 183.8 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 41,569 | 186.4 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 38,046 | 170.6 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 35,927 | 161.1 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 35,225 | 157.9 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 35,566 | 159.5 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 37,916 | 170.0 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 36,504 | 163.7 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 36,649 | 164.3 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 4,014 |
| June 2026 | 3,605 |
| May 2026 | 3,838 |
| April 2026 | 3,469 |
| March 2026 | 3,399 |
| February 2026 | 3,062 |
| January 2026 | 3,070 |
| December 2025 | 3,086 |
| November 2025 | 3,297 |
| October 2025 | 3,394 |
| September 2025 | 3,372 |
| August 2025 | 3,394 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Islington district over the 12 months to July 2026. The index compares the local rate with England and Wales: 1.00 is the national rate, 2.00 is double it. Rates were well above the national level for anti-social behaviour, shoplifting, other theft.
The largest increases were in possession of weapons (+63%) and shoplifting (+27%). The largest falls were in criminal damage and arson (-34%) and vehicle crime (-26%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anti-social behaviour | 9,187 | 41.2 | 2.69 | -3% |
| Violence and sexual offences | 8,863 | 39.7 | 1.16 | +11% |
| Shoplifting | 4,262 | 19.1 | 2.31 | +27% |
| Other theft | 3,722 | 16.7 | 2.61 | -4% |
| Theft from the person | 3,621 | 16.2 | 9.61 | -14% |
| Public order | 2,317 | 10.4 | 1.56 | +10% |
| Drugs | 1,849 | 8.3 | 2.54 | +0% |
| Vehicle crime | 1,800 | 8.1 | 1.64 | -26% |
| Burglary | 1,537 | 6.9 | 1.95 | -14% |
| Robbery | 1,309 | 5.9 | 4.34 | -0% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 1,152 | 5.2 | 0.76 | -34% |
| Bicycle theft | 808 | 3.6 | 4.40 | -11% |
| Other crime | 328 | 1.5 | 0.70 | -3% |
| Possession of weapons | 245 | 1.1 | 1.13 | +63% |
Anti-social behaviour in Islington district
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Islington district recorded 9,187 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (41.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 22.4% of all crime in the area.
Violence and sexual offences in Islington district
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Islington district recorded 8,863 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (39.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 21.6% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Islington district
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Islington district recorded 4,262 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (19.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 27% on the year before. It made up 10.4% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Islington district
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Islington district recorded 3,722 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (16.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 9.1% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Islington district
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Islington district recorded 3,621 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (16.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 8.8% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Islington district
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Islington district recorded 2,317 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Islington district
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Islington district recorded 1,849 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 4.5% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Islington district
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Islington district recorded 1,800 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Islington district
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Islington district recorded 1,537 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 3.7% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Islington district
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Islington district recorded 1,309 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Islington district
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Islington district recorded 1,152 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 34% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Islington district
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Islington district recorded 808 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Islington district
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Islington district recorded 328 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Islington district
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Islington district recorded 245 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 63% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the districts closest to Islington district, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Islington district.
| District | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Islington district |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hackney | 39,179 | 146.9 | -20% |
| Camden | 46,860 | 216.0 | +17% |
| City of London | 9,805 | 648.9 | +253% |
| Haringey | 35,064 | 132.9 | -28% |
| Westminster | 87,349 | 416.0 | +126% |
| Tower Hamlets | 48,015 | 144.7 | -21% |
| Kensington and Chelsea | 25,550 | 176.8 | -4% |
| Southwark | 49,003 | 155.7 | -15% |
18 areas within Islington district, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Bunhill had the highest rate (304.0 per 1,000) and Mildmay the lowest (100.4). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bunhill | Neighbourhood | 11,826 | 3,595 | 304.0 |
| Junction | Neighbourhood | 13,030 | 3,710 | 284.7 |
| Caledonian | Neighbourhood | 11,945 | 2,923 | 244.7 |
| Clerkenwell | Neighbourhood | 11,868 | 2,834 | 238.8 |
| Finsbury Park | Neighbourhood | 14,630 | 3,481 | 237.9 |
| St Mary's & St James' | Neighbourhood | 11,625 | 2,536 | 218.2 |
| Tollington | Neighbourhood | 14,567 | 3,119 | 214.1 |
| Barnsbury | Neighbourhood | 11,277 | 2,304 | 204.3 |
| Islington | Town | 223,024 | 41,000 | 183.8 |
| Laycock | Neighbourhood | 17,122 | 3,077 | 179.7 |
| Holloway | Neighbourhood | 10,850 | 1,861 | 171.5 |
| Arsenal | Neighbourhood | 13,885 | 2,210 | 159.2 |
| St Peter's & Canalside | Neighbourhood | 13,999 | 2,167 | 154.8 |
| Hillrise | Neighbourhood | 15,201 | 1,771 | 116.5 |
| Canonbury | Neighbourhood | 11,490 | 1,321 | 115.0 |
| Highbury | Neighbourhood | 13,602 | 1,466 | 107.8 |
| Tufnell Park | Neighbourhood | 12,505 | 1,259 | 100.7 |
| Mildmay | Neighbourhood | 13,602 | 1,366 | 100.4 |
Police.uk records each crime at an approximate location, usually the centre of a nearby street or a landmark, to protect victims' privacy. These are the locations with the most reports in Islington district over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Shopping Area | 1,404 |
| On or near Supermarket | 1,319 |
| On or near Theatre/Concert Hall | 715 |
| On or near Further/Higher Educational Building | 671 |
| On or near Hospital | 668 |
| On or near Station Place | 606 |
| On or near Nightclub | 534 |
| On or near Holloway Road | 443 |
| On or near Parking Area | 421 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 407 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Islington district over the 12 months to July 2026. Many cases are still open when the data is published, and anti-social behaviour has no outcome recorded, so these shares change as investigations finish.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 16,677 | 40.7% |
| Not recorded | 9,187 | 22.4% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 7,539 | 18.4% |
| Under investigation | 3,384 | 8.3% |
| Status update unavailable | 1,611 | 3.9% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 1,305 | 3.2% |
| Local resolution | 566 | 1.4% |
| Court result unavailable | 327 | 0.8% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 174 | 0.4% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 75 | 0.2% |
| Offender given penalty notice | 71 | 0.2% |
| Offender given a caution | 66 | 0.2% |
Islington district has an estimated population of 223,024. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Islington district sits in decile 3.8, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Islington district |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 14.2% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 76.1% |
| Aged 65 and over | 9.7% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 28.3% |
| Social rented homes | 40.2% |
| Private rented homes | 31.2% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 3.8 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 3.9% |
Is Islington district a safe place to live?
Islington district recorded 183.8 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4. Crime is concentrated in a small number of places within most areas, often busy centres and transport hubs, so the rate for a single street can differ a lot from the area as a whole.
What is the most common crime in Islington district?
Anti-social behaviour was the most common category, with 9,187 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by violence and sexual offences (8,863).
Is crime in Islington district going up or down?
Recorded crime in Islington district was down 1% on the year before: 41,000 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 41,569 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Islington district?
Islington district is policed by Metropolitan Police. Non-emergency crimes can be reported online to the force or by calling 101; in an emergency call 999.
How are these crime rates calculated?
Each rate is the number of crimes recorded by the police in the 12 months to July 2026, divided by the resident population and multiplied by 1,000. Crime data is from data.police.uk and population estimates are from the Office for National Statistics.
Figures are police-recorded crime published on data.police.uk, covering August 2017 to July 2026. Each crime is counted in the small area (LSOA) where it was recorded and added up to Islington district. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.