Crime in Bow West: statistics, rates and trends
1,902 crimes were recorded in Bow West in the 12 months to July 2026, 133.0 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 Bow West at a glance
- Crime trends in Bow West
- Types of crime in Bow West
- Bow West compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Bow West
- What happened after crimes were reported in Bow West
- Population and deprivation in Bow West
- Questions about crime in Bow West
- About this data
1,902 crimes were recorded in Bow West in the 12 months to July 2026, 133.0 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 violence and sexual offences, with 453 reports (24% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Bow West has the 625th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Bow West | Tower Hamlets | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,902 | 48,015 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 133.0 | 144.7 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -6% | +2% | -1% |
| Population | 14,306 | 331,886 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Bow West was highest in the year to July 2020 (2,557 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (1,902). Over the whole period it fell 16%, 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 | 1,902 | 133.0 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 2,018 | 141.1 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,948 | 136.2 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,909 | 133.4 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 2,024 | 141.5 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 2,441 | 170.6 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 2,557 | 178.7 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 2,480 | 173.4 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 2,277 | 159.2 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 207 |
| June 2026 | 172 |
| May 2026 | 211 |
| April 2026 | 152 |
| March 2026 | 148 |
| February 2026 | 125 |
| January 2026 | 135 |
| December 2025 | 153 |
| November 2025 | 144 |
| October 2025 | 143 |
| September 2025 | 125 |
| August 2025 | 187 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Bow 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, theft from the person.
The largest increases were in bicycle theft (+53%) and burglary (+46%). The largest falls were in drugs (-56%) and criminal damage and arson (-50%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 453 | 31.7 | 0.92 | +5% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 301 | 21.0 | 1.37 | -23% |
| Shoplifting | 224 | 15.7 | 1.89 | +35% |
| Theft from the person | 145 | 10.1 | 6.00 | -8% |
| Other theft | 141 | 9.9 | 1.54 | +4% |
| Public order | 117 | 8.2 | 1.23 | +1% |
| Burglary | 111 | 7.8 | 2.19 | +46% |
| Vehicle crime | 103 | 7.2 | 1.46 | +10% |
| Drugs | 97 | 6.8 | 2.07 | -56% |
| Bicycle theft | 72 | 5.0 | 6.11 | +53% |
| Robbery | 68 | 4.8 | 3.52 | +17% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 48 | 3.4 | 0.49 | -50% |
| Other crime | 13 | 0.9 | 0.43 | -38% |
| Possession of weapons | 9 | 0.6 | 0.65 | +12% |
Violence and sexual offences in Bow West
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Bow West recorded 453 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (31.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 23.8% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Bow West
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Bow West recorded 301 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (21.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 15.8% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Bow West
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Bow West recorded 224 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 35% on the year before. It made up 11.8% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Bow West
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Bow West recorded 145 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 7.6% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Bow West
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Bow West recorded 141 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 7.4% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Bow West
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Bow West recorded 117 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 6.2% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Bow West
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Bow West recorded 111 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 46% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Bow West
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Bow West recorded 103 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 5.4% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Bow West
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Bow West recorded 97 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 56% on the year before. It made up 5.1% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Bow West
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Bow West recorded 72 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 53% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Bow West
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Bow West recorded 68 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Bow West
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Bow West recorded 48 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Bow West
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Bow West recorded 13 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 38% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Bow West
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Bow West recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Bow West, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Bow West.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Bow West |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bow East | 2,766 | 132.9 | -0% |
| Bethnal Green East | 4,233 | 168.6 | +27% |
| Bromley North | 1,917 | 150.9 | +14% |
| St Dunstan's | 1,511 | 111.2 | -16% |
| Bromley South | 1,489 | 105.2 | -21% |
| Mile End | 3,410 | 136.9 | +3% |
| Bethnal Green West | 3,267 | 167.3 | +26% |
| Stepney Green | 1,885 | 135.5 | +2% |
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 Bow West over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 138 |
| On or near Rhondda Grove | 130 |
| On or near Old Ford Road | 94 |
| On or near St Clements Avenue | 94 |
| On or near Bow Road | 77 |
| On or near Harley Grove | 68 |
| On or near Grove Road | 67 |
| On or near Parking Area | 63 |
| On or near Alfred Street | 55 |
| On or near Balmer Road | 48 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Bow 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 | 810 | 42.6% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 333 | 17.5% |
| Not recorded | 301 | 15.8% |
| Under investigation | 221 | 11.6% |
| Status update unavailable | 86 | 4.5% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 72 | 3.8% |
| Local resolution | 41 | 2.2% |
| Court result unavailable | 21 | 1.1% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 9 | 0.5% |
| Offender given penalty notice | 6 | 0.3% |
| Offender given a caution | 2 | 0.1% |
Bow West has an estimated population of 14,306. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Bow West sits in decile 3.8, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Bow West |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 15.9% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 74.5% |
| Aged 65 and over | 9.6% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 33.1% |
| Social rented homes | 35.9% |
| Private rented homes | 30.6% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 3.8 |
Is Bow West a safe place to live?
Bow West recorded 133.0 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 Bow West?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 453 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (301).
Is crime in Bow West going up or down?
Recorded crime in Bow West was down 6% on the year before: 1,902 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 2,018 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Bow West?
Bow 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 Bow West. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.