Crime in Bethnal Green West: statistics, rates and trends
3,267 crimes were recorded in Bethnal Green West in the 12 months to July 2026, 167.3 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 1% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Bethnal Green West at a glance
- Crime trends in Bethnal Green West
- Types of crime in Bethnal Green West
- Bethnal Green West compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Bethnal Green West
- What happened after crimes were reported in Bethnal Green West
- Population and deprivation in Bethnal Green West
- Questions about crime in Bethnal Green West
- About this data
3,267 crimes were recorded in Bethnal Green West in the 12 months to July 2026, 167.3 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 1% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 808 reports (25% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Bethnal Green West has the 317th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Bethnal Green West | Tower Hamlets | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 3,267 | 48,015 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 167.3 | 144.7 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +1% | +2% | -1% |
| Population | 19,522 | 331,886 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Bethnal Green West was highest in the year to July 2023 (4,065 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (3,227). Over the whole period it fell 14%, 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 | 3,267 | 167.3 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 3,227 | 165.3 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 3,344 | 171.3 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 4,065 | 208.2 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 3,856 | 197.5 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 3,955 | 202.6 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 4,025 | 206.2 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 3,776 | 193.4 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 3,802 | 194.8 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 331 |
| June 2026 | 305 |
| May 2026 | 301 |
| April 2026 | 261 |
| March 2026 | 293 |
| February 2026 | 225 |
| January 2026 | 216 |
| December 2025 | 262 |
| November 2025 | 264 |
| October 2025 | 253 |
| September 2025 | 263 |
| August 2025 | 293 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Bethnal Green West 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 shoplifting (+99%). The largest falls were in criminal damage and arson (-35%) and theft from the person (-28%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 808 | 41.4 | 1.21 | +4% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 747 | 38.3 | 2.49 | -3% |
| Shoplifting | 419 | 21.5 | 2.59 | +99% |
| Other theft | 222 | 11.4 | 1.78 | -8% |
| Public order | 190 | 9.7 | 1.46 | +1% |
| Burglary | 171 | 8.8 | 2.48 | -3% |
| Theft from the person | 138 | 7.1 | 4.18 | -28% |
| Drugs | 126 | 6.5 | 1.97 | +8% |
| Vehicle crime | 109 | 5.6 | 1.13 | -25% |
| Robbery | 101 | 5.2 | 3.83 | -4% |
| Bicycle theft | 100 | 5.1 | 6.22 | -15% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 91 | 4.7 | 0.69 | -35% |
| Other crime | 23 | 1.2 | 0.56 | -23% |
| Possession of weapons | 22 | 1.1 | 1.16 | +38% |
Violence and sexual offences in Bethnal Green West
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Bethnal Green West recorded 808 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (41.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 24.7% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Bethnal Green West
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Bethnal Green West recorded 747 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (38.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 22.9% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Bethnal Green West
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Bethnal Green West recorded 419 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (21.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 99% on the year before. It made up 12.8% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Bethnal Green West
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Bethnal Green West recorded 222 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 6.8% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Bethnal Green West
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Bethnal Green West recorded 190 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Bethnal Green West
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Bethnal Green West recorded 171 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 5.2% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Bethnal Green West
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Bethnal Green West recorded 138 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 28% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Bethnal Green West
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Bethnal Green West recorded 126 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 3.9% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Bethnal Green West
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Bethnal Green West recorded 109 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Bethnal Green West
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Bethnal Green West recorded 101 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Bethnal Green West
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Bethnal Green West recorded 100 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Bethnal Green West
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Bethnal Green West recorded 91 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 35% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Bethnal Green West
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Bethnal Green West recorded 23 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Bethnal Green West
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Bethnal Green West recorded 22 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 38% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Bethnal Green West, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Bethnal Green West.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Bethnal Green West |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weavers | 2,620 | 183.7 | +10% |
| Bethnal Green East | 4,233 | 168.6 | +1% |
| Spitalfields & Banglatown | 3,420 | 250.9 | +50% |
| Stepney Green | 1,885 | 135.5 | -19% |
| Bow West | 1,902 | 133.0 | -21% |
| St Dunstan's | 1,511 | 111.2 | -34% |
| Whitechapel | 3,156 | 151.6 | -9% |
| Shadwell | 1,918 | 129.3 | -23% |
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 West over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Mare Street | 322 |
| On or near Cambridge Heath Road | 182 |
| On or near Ainsley Street | 124 |
| On or near Further/Higher Educational Building | 95 |
| On or near Theatre/Concert Hall | 93 |
| On or near Rushmead | 91 |
| On or near Birkbeck Street | 84 |
| On or near Headlam Street | 75 |
| On or near Seabright Street | 72 |
| On or near Supermarket | 72 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Bethnal Green West 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 | 1,171 | 35.8% |
| Not recorded | 747 | 22.9% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 598 | 18.3% |
| Under investigation | 301 | 9.2% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 174 | 5.3% |
| Status update unavailable | 136 | 4.2% |
| Court result unavailable | 51 | 1.6% |
| Local resolution | 44 | 1.3% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 19 | 0.6% |
| Offender given penalty notice | 11 | 0.3% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 6 | 0.2% |
| Offender given a caution | 6 | 0.2% |
Bethnal Green West has an estimated population of 19,522. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Bethnal Green West sits in decile 2.5, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Bethnal Green West |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 16.1% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 77.6% |
| Aged 65 and over | 6.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 23.9% |
| Social rented homes | 40.5% |
| Private rented homes | 35.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 2.5 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 15.2% |
Is Bethnal Green West a safe place to live?
Bethnal Green West recorded 167.3 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 Bethnal Green West?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 808 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (747).
Is crime in Bethnal Green West going up or down?
Recorded crime in Bethnal Green West was up 1% on the year before: 3,267 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 3,227 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Bethnal Green West?
Bethnal Green West 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 West. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.