Crime in Abbey, Merton: statistics, rates and trends
771 crimes were recorded in Abbey, Merton in the 12 months to July 2026, 83.5 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 11% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Abbey, Merton at a glance
- Crime trends in Abbey, Merton
- Types of crime in Abbey, Merton
- Abbey, Merton compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Abbey, Merton
- What happened after crimes were reported in Abbey, Merton
- Population and deprivation in Abbey, Merton
- Questions about crime in Abbey, Merton
- About this data
771 crimes were recorded in Abbey, Merton in the 12 months to July 2026, 83.5 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 11% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 204 reports (26% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Abbey, Merton has the 1,717th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Abbey, Merton | Merton | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 771 | 16,295 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 83.5 | 74.6 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -11% | -7% | -1% |
| Population | 9,239 | 218,539 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Abbey, Merton was highest in the year to July 2023 (980 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (771). Over the whole period it fell 8%, 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 | 771 | 83.5 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 867 | 93.8 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 955 | 103.4 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 980 | 106.1 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 790 | 85.5 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 821 | 88.9 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 848 | 91.8 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 867 | 93.8 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 835 | 90.4 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 67 |
| June 2026 | 59 |
| May 2026 | 69 |
| April 2026 | 49 |
| March 2026 | 62 |
| February 2026 | 74 |
| January 2026 | 65 |
| December 2025 | 58 |
| November 2025 | 52 |
| October 2025 | 79 |
| September 2025 | 64 |
| August 2025 | 73 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Abbey, Merton 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 bicycle theft.
The largest increases were in shoplifting (+53%) and drugs (+32%). The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-37%) and criminal damage and arson (-24%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 204 | 22.1 | 0.64 | -4% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 153 | 16.6 | 1.08 | -37% |
| Shoplifting | 81 | 8.8 | 1.06 | +53% |
| Public order | 62 | 6.7 | 1.01 | +0% |
| Other theft | 57 | 6.2 | 0.96 | -24% |
| Vehicle crime | 44 | 4.8 | 0.97 | -10% |
| Burglary | 38 | 4.1 | 1.16 | -12% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 38 | 4.1 | 0.61 | -24% |
| Drugs | 33 | 3.6 | 1.09 | +32% |
| Bicycle theft | 18 | 1.9 | 2.37 | +80% |
| Theft from the person | 16 | 1.7 | 1.03 | -20% |
| Robbery | 15 | 1.6 | 1.20 | +25% |
| Other crime | 10 | 1.1 | 0.51 | -9% |
| Possession of weapons | 2 | 0.2 | 0.22 | +100% |
Violence and sexual offences in Abbey, Merton
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Abbey, Merton recorded 204 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (22.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 26.5% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Abbey, Merton
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Abbey, Merton recorded 153 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (16.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 37% on the year before. It made up 19.8% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Abbey, Merton
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Abbey, Merton recorded 81 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 53% on the year before. It made up 10.5% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Abbey, Merton
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Abbey, Merton recorded 62 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 8.0% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Abbey, Merton
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Abbey, Merton recorded 57 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 24% on the year before. It made up 7.4% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Abbey, Merton
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Abbey, Merton recorded 44 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Abbey, Merton
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Abbey, Merton recorded 38 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 4.9% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Abbey, Merton
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Abbey, Merton recorded 38 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 24% on the year before. It made up 4.9% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Abbey, Merton
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Abbey, Merton recorded 33 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 32% on the year before. It made up 4.3% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Abbey, Merton
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Abbey, Merton recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 80% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Abbey, Merton
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Abbey, Merton recorded 16 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Abbey, Merton
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Abbey, Merton recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 25% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Abbey, Merton
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Abbey, Merton recorded 10 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 9% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Abbey, Merton
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Abbey, Merton recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Abbey, Merton, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Abbey, Merton.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Abbey, Merton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wimbledon Town & Dundonald | 1,316 | 102.0 | +22% |
| Wandle | 452 | 78.7 | -6% |
| Merton Park | 859 | 104.0 | +25% |
| Hillside | 527 | 59.6 | -29% |
| Colliers Wood | 1,086 | 90.8 | +9% |
| Lavender Fields | 962 | 72.9 | -13% |
| Wimbledon Park | 862 | 69.1 | -17% |
| Cannon Hill | 325 | 32.5 | -61% |
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 Abbey, Merton over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Theatre/Concert Hall | 65 |
| On or near Morden Road | 54 |
| On or near The Broadway | 48 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 41 |
| On or near Victory Road | 33 |
| On or near South Wimbledon | 28 |
| On or near Lombard Road | 27 |
| On or near Nightclub | 27 |
| On or near Pincott Road | 22 |
| On or near Kirkley Road | 21 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Abbey, Merton 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 | 296 | 38.4% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 155 | 20.1% |
| Not recorded | 153 | 19.8% |
| Under investigation | 61 | 7.9% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 33 | 4.3% |
| Status update unavailable | 29 | 3.8% |
| Local resolution | 15 | 1.9% |
| Court result unavailable | 13 | 1.7% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 7 | 0.9% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 5 | 0.6% |
| Offender given a caution | 4 | 0.5% |
Abbey, Merton has an estimated population of 9,239. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Abbey, Merton sits in decile 7.9, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Abbey, Merton |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 18.0% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 73.5% |
| Aged 65 and over | 8.6% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 49.0% |
| Social rented homes | 13.7% |
| Private rented homes | 37.4% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 7.9 |
Is Abbey, Merton a safe place to live?
Abbey, Merton recorded 83.5 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, lower 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 Abbey, Merton?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 204 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (153).
Is crime in Abbey, Merton going up or down?
Recorded crime in Abbey, Merton was down 11% on the year before: 771 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 867 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Abbey, Merton?
Abbey, Merton 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 Abbey, Merton. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.