Crime in Bloomsbury: statistics, rates and trends
8,874 crimes were recorded in Bloomsbury in the 12 months to July 2026, 602.0 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 6% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Bloomsbury at a glance
- Crime trends in Bloomsbury
- Types of crime in Bloomsbury
- Bloomsbury compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Bloomsbury
- What happened after crimes were reported in Bloomsbury
- Population and deprivation in Bloomsbury
- Questions about crime in Bloomsbury
- About this data
8,874 crimes were recorded in Bloomsbury in the 12 months to July 2026, 602.0 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 6% on the year before. The most common offence was other theft, with 2,017 reports (23% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Bloomsbury has the 11th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Bloomsbury | Camden | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 8,874 | 46,860 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 602.0 | 216.0 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -6% | -6% | -1% |
| Population | 14,741 | 216,943 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Bloomsbury was highest in the year to July 2024 (9,721 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (5,895). Over the whole period it rose 9%, 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 | 8,874 | 602.0 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 9,476 | 642.8 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 9,721 | 659.5 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 9,639 | 653.9 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 7,601 | 515.6 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 5,895 | 399.9 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 8,382 | 568.6 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 9,701 | 658.1 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 8,108 | 550.0 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 733 |
| June 2026 | 686 |
| May 2026 | 798 |
| April 2026 | 733 |
| March 2026 | 701 |
| February 2026 | 687 |
| January 2026 | 665 |
| December 2025 | 774 |
| November 2025 | 865 |
| October 2025 | 831 |
| September 2025 | 738 |
| August 2025 | 663 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Bloomsbury 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 other theft, theft from the person, anti-social behaviour.
The largest increases were in drugs (+63%) and shoplifting (+28%). The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-38%) and theft from the person (-32%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other theft | 2,017 | 136.8 | 21.40 | -6% |
| Theft from the person | 1,775 | 120.4 | 71.28 | -32% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 1,472 | 99.9 | 6.51 | -2% |
| Violence and sexual offences | 1,214 | 82.4 | 2.41 | +25% |
| Shoplifting | 741 | 50.3 | 6.07 | +28% |
| Public order | 398 | 27.0 | 4.06 | -1% |
| Burglary | 303 | 20.6 | 5.81 | +9% |
| Robbery | 259 | 17.6 | 13.01 | -5% |
| Bicycle theft | 230 | 15.6 | 18.96 | +4% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 158 | 10.7 | 1.58 | -16% |
| Drugs | 148 | 10.0 | 3.07 | +63% |
| Vehicle crime | 104 | 7.1 | 1.43 | -38% |
| Possession of weapons | 30 | 2.0 | 2.10 | +131% |
| Other crime | 25 | 1.7 | 0.80 | -7% |
Other theft in Bloomsbury
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Bloomsbury recorded 2,017 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (136.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 22.7% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Bloomsbury
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Bloomsbury recorded 1,775 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (120.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 32% on the year before. It made up 20.0% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Bloomsbury
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Bloomsbury recorded 1,472 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (99.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 16.6% of all crime in the area.
Violence and sexual offences in Bloomsbury
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Bloomsbury recorded 1,214 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (82.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 25% on the year before. It made up 13.7% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Bloomsbury
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Bloomsbury recorded 741 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (50.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 28% on the year before. It made up 8.4% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Bloomsbury
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Bloomsbury recorded 398 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (27.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 1% on the year before. It made up 4.5% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Bloomsbury
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Bloomsbury recorded 303 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (20.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Bloomsbury
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Bloomsbury recorded 259 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Bloomsbury
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Bloomsbury recorded 230 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Bloomsbury
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Bloomsbury recorded 158 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Bloomsbury
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Bloomsbury recorded 148 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 63% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Bloomsbury
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Bloomsbury recorded 104 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 38% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Bloomsbury
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Bloomsbury recorded 30 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 131% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Bloomsbury
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Bloomsbury recorded 25 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 7% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Bloomsbury, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Bloomsbury.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Bloomsbury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holborn & Covent Garden | 5,917 | 572.1 | -5% |
| King's Cross | 3,793 | 316.7 | -47% |
| Regent's Park | 3,054 | 242.0 | -60% |
| St Pancras & Somers Town | 2,722 | 183.3 | -70% |
| Camden Town | 3,319 | 666.3 | +11% |
| Camden Square | 1,102 | 138.3 | -77% |
| Kentish Town South | 1,345 | 133.7 | -78% |
| Primrose Hill | 1,761 | 125.9 | -79% |
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 Bloomsbury over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 610 |
| On or near Hospital | 521 |
| On or near Further/Higher Educational Building | 501 |
| On or near Whitfield Place | 462 |
| On or near Nightclub | 407 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 362 |
| On or near Dyott Street | 274 |
| On or near Russell Square | 261 |
| On or near B506 | 250 |
| On or near Bidborough Street | 201 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Bloomsbury 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 | 4,987 | 56.2% |
| Not recorded | 1,472 | 16.6% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 1,085 | 12.2% |
| Under investigation | 665 | 7.5% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 268 | 3.0% |
| Status update unavailable | 264 | 3.0% |
| Court result unavailable | 58 | 0.7% |
| Local resolution | 47 | 0.5% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 9 | 0.1% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 7 | 0.1% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 5 | 0.1% |
| Offender given a caution | 4 | 0.0% |
Bloomsbury has an estimated population of 14,741. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Bloomsbury sits in decile 4.8, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Bloomsbury |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 5.6% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 85.5% |
| Aged 65 and over | 8.9% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 23.8% |
| Social rented homes | 34.4% |
| Private rented homes | 41.4% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.8 |
Is Bloomsbury a safe place to live?
Bloomsbury recorded 602.0 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 Bloomsbury?
Other theft was the most common category, with 2,017 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by theft from the person (1,775).
Is crime in Bloomsbury going up or down?
Recorded crime in Bloomsbury was down 6% on the year before: 8,874 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 9,476 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Bloomsbury?
Bloomsbury 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 Bloomsbury. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.