Crime in Bethnal Green East: statistics, rates and trends
4,233 crimes were recorded in Bethnal Green East in the 12 months to July 2026, 168.6 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 5% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Bethnal Green East at a glance
- Crime trends in Bethnal Green East
- Types of crime in Bethnal Green East
- Bethnal Green East compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Bethnal Green East
- What happened after crimes were reported in Bethnal Green East
- Population and deprivation in Bethnal Green East
- Questions about crime in Bethnal Green East
- About this data
4,233 crimes were recorded in Bethnal Green East in the 12 months to July 2026, 168.6 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than 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 1,289 reports (30% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Bethnal Green East has the 312th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Bethnal Green East | Tower Hamlets | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 4,233 | 48,015 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 168.6 | 144.7 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -5% | +2% | -1% |
| Population | 25,105 | 331,886 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Bethnal Green East was highest in the year to July 2021 (4,516 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (3,536). Over the whole period it rose 20%, 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 | 4,233 | 168.6 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 4,457 | 177.5 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 4,289 | 170.8 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 4,127 | 164.4 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 4,220 | 168.1 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 4,516 | 179.9 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 4,456 | 177.5 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 4,258 | 169.6 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 3,536 | 140.8 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 414 |
| June 2026 | 401 |
| May 2026 | 443 |
| April 2026 | 349 |
| March 2026 | 314 |
| February 2026 | 280 |
| January 2026 | 277 |
| December 2025 | 331 |
| November 2025 | 362 |
| October 2025 | 333 |
| September 2025 | 362 |
| August 2025 | 367 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Bethnal Green East 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, shoplifting.
The largest increases were in shoplifting (+33%) and drugs (+18%). The largest falls were in bicycle theft (-38%) and vehicle crime (-26%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 1,289 | 51.3 | 1.50 | +6% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 645 | 25.7 | 1.67 | -26% |
| Shoplifting | 521 | 20.8 | 2.50 | +33% |
| Public order | 308 | 12.3 | 1.85 | -12% |
| Theft from the person | 304 | 12.1 | 7.17 | +6% |
| Other theft | 280 | 11.2 | 1.74 | -21% |
| Drugs | 208 | 8.3 | 2.53 | +18% |
| Burglary | 162 | 6.5 | 1.82 | -3% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 145 | 5.8 | 0.85 | -9% |
| Vehicle crime | 124 | 4.9 | 1.00 | -26% |
| Robbery | 100 | 4.0 | 2.95 | -20% |
| Bicycle theft | 78 | 3.1 | 3.77 | -38% |
| Other crime | 43 | 1.7 | 0.81 | -2% |
| Possession of weapons | 26 | 1.0 | 1.07 | +13% |
Violence and sexual offences in Bethnal Green East
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Bethnal Green East recorded 1,289 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (51.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 30.5% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Bethnal Green East
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Bethnal Green East recorded 645 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (25.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 15.2% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Bethnal Green East
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Bethnal Green East recorded 521 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (20.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 12.3% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Bethnal Green East
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Bethnal Green East recorded 308 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 7.3% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Bethnal Green East
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Bethnal Green East recorded 304 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 7.2% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Bethnal Green East
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Bethnal Green East recorded 280 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 6.6% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Bethnal Green East
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Bethnal Green East recorded 208 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 up 18% on the year before. It made up 4.9% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Bethnal Green East
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Bethnal Green East recorded 162 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Bethnal Green East
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Bethnal Green East recorded 145 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Bethnal Green East
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Bethnal Green East recorded 124 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Bethnal Green East
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Bethnal Green East recorded 100 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Bethnal Green East
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Bethnal Green East recorded 78 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 38% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Bethnal Green East
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Bethnal Green East recorded 43 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Bethnal Green East
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Bethnal Green East recorded 26 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Bethnal Green East, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Bethnal Green East.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Bethnal Green East |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bethnal Green West | 3,267 | 167.3 | -1% |
| St Dunstan's | 1,511 | 111.2 | -34% |
| Bow West | 1,902 | 133.0 | -21% |
| Stepney Green | 1,885 | 135.5 | -20% |
| Weavers | 2,620 | 183.7 | +9% |
| Shadwell | 1,918 | 129.3 | -23% |
| Mile End | 3,410 | 136.9 | -19% |
| Spitalfields & Banglatown | 3,420 | 250.9 | +49% |
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 Bethnal Green East over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Shopping Area | 469 |
| On or near Stepney Green | 326 |
| On or near Hospital | 303 |
| On or near Police Station | 278 |
| On or near Supermarket | 273 |
| On or near Palmers Road | 129 |
| On or near Maples Place | 124 |
| On or near Ernest Street | 115 |
| On or near Whitechapel | 114 |
| On or near Cleveland Grove | 88 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Bethnal Green East 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 | 1,560 | 36.9% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 844 | 19.9% |
| Not recorded | 645 | 15.2% |
| Under investigation | 481 | 11.4% |
| Status update unavailable | 253 | 6.0% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 238 | 5.6% |
| Court result unavailable | 83 | 2.0% |
| Local resolution | 65 | 1.5% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 18 | 0.4% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 15 | 0.4% |
| Offender given penalty notice | 12 | 0.3% |
| Offender given a caution | 10 | 0.2% |
Bethnal Green East has an estimated population of 25,105. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Bethnal Green East sits in decile 3.0, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Bethnal Green East |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 16.8% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 77.0% |
| Aged 65 and over | 6.2% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 24.8% |
| Social rented homes | 42.9% |
| Private rented homes | 31.9% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 3.0 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 5.7% |
Is Bethnal Green East a safe place to live?
Bethnal Green East recorded 168.6 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 Bethnal Green East?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 1,289 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (645).
Is crime in Bethnal Green East going up or down?
Recorded crime in Bethnal Green East was down 5% on the year before: 4,233 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 4,457 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Bethnal Green East?
Bethnal Green East 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 Bethnal Green East. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.