Crime in Waltham Forest district: statistics, rates and trends

29,474 crimes were recorded in Waltham Forest district in the 12 months to July 2026, 105.4 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 5% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 7,359 reports (25% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Waltham Forest district has the 86th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Waltham Forest district was highest in the year to July 2020 (34,402 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2023 (29,080). Over the whole period it rose 1%, 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.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Waltham Forest 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, vehicle crime, other theft.

The largest increases were in possession of weapons (+24%). The largest falls were in criminal damage and arson (-30%) and theft from the person (-30%).

Violence and sexual offences in Waltham Forest district

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Waltham Forest district recorded 7,359 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (26.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 25.0% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Waltham Forest district

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Waltham Forest district recorded 6,889 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (24.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 1% on the year before. It made up 23.4% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Waltham Forest district

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Waltham Forest district recorded 2,502 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 24% on the year before. It made up 8.5% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Waltham Forest district

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Waltham Forest district recorded 2,316 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 7.9% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Waltham Forest district

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Waltham Forest district recorded 2,133 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 7.2% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Waltham Forest district

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Waltham Forest district recorded 1,608 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 5.5% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Waltham Forest district

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Waltham Forest district recorded 1,407 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Waltham Forest district

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Waltham Forest district recorded 1,304 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Waltham Forest district

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Waltham Forest district recorded 1,267 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 30% on the year before. It made up 4.3% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Waltham Forest district

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Waltham Forest district recorded 1,139 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 30% on the year before. It made up 3.9% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Waltham Forest district

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Waltham Forest district recorded 715 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 24% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Waltham Forest district

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Waltham Forest district recorded 356 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Waltham Forest district

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Waltham Forest district recorded 302 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Waltham Forest district

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Waltham Forest district recorded 177 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 24% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the districts closest to Waltham Forest district, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Waltham Forest district.

23 areas within Waltham Forest district, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. High Street had the highest rate (235.7 per 1,000) and Endlebury the lowest (57.2). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

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 Waltham Forest district over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Waltham Forest 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.

Waltham Forest district has an estimated population of 279,737. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Waltham Forest district sits in decile 4.4, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

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 Waltham Forest district. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.