Crime in Barnsbury: statistics, rates and trends
2,304 crimes were recorded in Barnsbury in the 12 months to July 2026, 204.3 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 4% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Barnsbury at a glance
- Crime trends in Barnsbury
- Types of crime in Barnsbury
- Barnsbury compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Barnsbury
- What happened after crimes were reported in Barnsbury
- Population and deprivation in Barnsbury
- Questions about crime in Barnsbury
- About this data
2,304 crimes were recorded in Barnsbury in the 12 months to July 2026, 204.3 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 4% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 554 reports (24% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Barnsbury has the 188th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Barnsbury | Islington | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 2,304 | 41,000 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 204.3 | 183.8 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +4% | -1% | -1% |
| Population | 11,277 | 223,024 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Barnsbury was highest in the year to July 2026 (2,304 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (1,779). Over the whole period it rose 28%, 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 | 2,304 | 204.3 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 2,222 | 197.0 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 2,245 | 199.1 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,985 | 176.0 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 2,057 | 182.4 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,779 | 157.8 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,949 | 172.8 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 2,071 | 183.6 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,807 | 160.2 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 230 |
| June 2026 | 185 |
| May 2026 | 159 |
| April 2026 | 176 |
| March 2026 | 223 |
| February 2026 | 173 |
| January 2026 | 214 |
| December 2025 | 172 |
| November 2025 | 194 |
| October 2025 | 186 |
| September 2025 | 208 |
| August 2025 | 184 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Barnsbury 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 violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour, public order.
The largest increases were in drugs (+45%) and public order (+40%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-36%) and criminal damage and arson (-32%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 554 | 49.1 | 1.43 | +6% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 415 | 36.8 | 2.40 | +30% |
| Public order | 249 | 22.1 | 3.32 | +40% |
| Other theft | 241 | 21.4 | 3.34 | +1% |
| Shoplifting | 171 | 15.2 | 1.83 | -36% |
| Theft from the person | 153 | 13.6 | 8.03 | -9% |
| Drugs | 138 | 12.2 | 3.74 | +45% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 77 | 6.8 | 1.01 | -32% |
| Burglary | 76 | 6.7 | 1.91 | +7% |
| Vehicle crime | 75 | 6.7 | 1.35 | -30% |
| Robbery | 71 | 6.3 | 4.66 | +15% |
| Bicycle theft | 48 | 4.3 | 5.17 | -13% |
| Other crime | 22 | 2.0 | 0.92 | +22% |
| Possession of weapons | 14 | 1.2 | 1.28 | +75% |
Violence and sexual offences in Barnsbury
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Barnsbury recorded 554 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (49.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 24.0% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Barnsbury
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Barnsbury recorded 415 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (36.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 30% on the year before. It made up 18.0% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Barnsbury
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Barnsbury recorded 249 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (22.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 40% on the year before. It made up 10.8% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Barnsbury
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Barnsbury recorded 241 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (21.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 10.5% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Barnsbury
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Barnsbury recorded 171 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 36% on the year before. It made up 7.4% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Barnsbury
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Barnsbury recorded 153 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 6.6% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Barnsbury
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Barnsbury recorded 138 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 45% on the year before. It made up 6.0% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Barnsbury
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Barnsbury recorded 77 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 32% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Barnsbury
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Barnsbury recorded 76 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Barnsbury
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Barnsbury recorded 75 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 30% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Barnsbury
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Barnsbury recorded 71 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 15% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Barnsbury
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Barnsbury recorded 48 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Barnsbury
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Barnsbury recorded 22 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 22% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Barnsbury
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Barnsbury recorded 14 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 75% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Barnsbury, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Barnsbury.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Barnsbury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caledonian | 2,923 | 244.7 | +20% |
| Laycock | 3,077 | 179.7 | -12% |
| St Mary's & St James' | 2,536 | 218.2 | +7% |
| St Peter's & Canalside | 2,167 | 154.8 | -24% |
| Clerkenwell | 2,834 | 238.8 | +17% |
| Canonbury | 1,321 | 115.0 | -44% |
| Holloway | 1,861 | 171.5 | -16% |
| Highbury | 1,466 | 107.8 | -47% |
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 Barnsbury over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Grant Street | 316 |
| On or near Chapel Market | 182 |
| On or near Supermarket | 166 |
| On or near Hermes Street | 126 |
| On or near White Lion Street | 111 |
| On or near Bingfield Street | 98 |
| On or near Pentonville Road | 81 |
| On or near Copenhagen Street | 51 |
| On or near Chapel Place | 46 |
| On or near Angel Mews | 44 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Barnsbury 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 | 802 | 34.8% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 490 | 21.3% |
| Not recorded | 415 | 18.0% |
| Under investigation | 217 | 9.4% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 156 | 6.8% |
| Status update unavailable | 115 | 5.0% |
| Court result unavailable | 38 | 1.6% |
| Local resolution | 32 | 1.4% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 16 | 0.7% |
| Offender given a caution | 9 | 0.4% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 7 | 0.3% |
| Offender given penalty notice | 6 | 0.3% |
Barnsbury has an estimated population of 11,277. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Barnsbury sits in decile 4.1, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Barnsbury |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 12.1% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 75.2% |
| Aged 65 and over | 12.7% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 32.1% |
| Social rented homes | 33.3% |
| Private rented homes | 34.6% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.1 |
Is Barnsbury a safe place to live?
Barnsbury recorded 204.3 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 Barnsbury?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 554 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (415).
Is crime in Barnsbury going up or down?
Recorded crime in Barnsbury was up 4% on the year before: 2,304 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 2,222 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Barnsbury?
Barnsbury 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 Barnsbury. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.