Crime in Catford South: statistics, rates and trends
2,134 crimes were recorded in Catford South in the 12 months to July 2026, 122.9 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 18% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Catford South at a glance
- Crime trends in Catford South
- Types of crime in Catford South
- Catford South compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Catford South
- What happened after crimes were reported in Catford South
- Population and deprivation in Catford South
- Questions about crime in Catford South
- About this data
2,134 crimes were recorded in Catford South in the 12 months to July 2026, 122.9 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 18% on the year before. The most common offence was shoplifting, with 564 reports (26% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Catford South has the 790th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Catford South | Lewisham | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 2,134 | 36,975 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 122.9 | 122.7 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +18% | +3% | -1% |
| Population | 17,368 | 301,255 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Catford South was highest in the year to July 2024 (2,137 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2019 (1,596). Over the whole period it rose 31%, 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 | 2,134 | 122.9 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,802 | 103.8 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 2,137 | 123.0 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,629 | 93.8 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,713 | 98.6 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,956 | 112.6 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,803 | 103.8 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,596 | 91.9 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,632 | 94.0 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 204 |
| June 2026 | 205 |
| May 2026 | 215 |
| April 2026 | 178 |
| March 2026 | 206 |
| February 2026 | 203 |
| January 2026 | 171 |
| December 2025 | 160 |
| November 2025 | 109 |
| October 2025 | 165 |
| September 2025 | 143 |
| August 2025 | 175 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Catford South 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 shoplifting, anti-social behaviour, vehicle crime.
The largest increases were in shoplifting (+662%) and theft from the person (+35%). The largest falls were in criminal damage and arson (-37%) and drugs (-30%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shoplifting | 564 | 32.5 | 3.92 | +662% |
| Violence and sexual offences | 513 | 29.5 | 0.86 | -5% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 354 | 20.4 | 1.33 | +2% |
| Vehicle crime | 155 | 8.9 | 1.81 | -28% |
| Other theft | 114 | 6.6 | 1.03 | -14% |
| Public order | 101 | 5.8 | 0.88 | +2% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 81 | 4.7 | 0.69 | -37% |
| Burglary | 71 | 4.1 | 1.16 | -10% |
| Drugs | 71 | 4.1 | 1.25 | -30% |
| Robbery | 36 | 2.1 | 1.53 | +20% |
| Theft from the person | 31 | 1.8 | 1.06 | +35% |
| Other crime | 25 | 1.4 | 0.68 | +67% |
| Possession of weapons | 16 | 0.9 | 0.95 | +14% |
| Bicycle theft | 2 | 0.1 | 0.14 | -67% |
Shoplifting in Catford South
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Catford South recorded 564 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (32.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 662% on the year before. It made up 26.4% of all crime in the area.
Violence and sexual offences in Catford South
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Catford South recorded 513 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (29.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 24.0% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Catford South
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Catford South recorded 354 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (20.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 16.6% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Catford South
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Catford South recorded 155 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 28% on the year before. It made up 7.3% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Catford South
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Catford South recorded 114 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 5.3% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Catford South
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Catford South recorded 101 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Catford South
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Catford South recorded 81 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 37% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Catford South
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Catford South recorded 71 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Catford South
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Catford South recorded 71 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 30% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Catford South
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Catford South recorded 36 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 20% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Catford South
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Catford South recorded 31 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 35% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Catford South
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Catford South recorded 25 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 67% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Catford South
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Catford South recorded 16 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Catford South
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Catford South recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 67% on the year before. It made up 0.1% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Catford South, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Catford South.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Catford South |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hither Green | 1,986 | 99.5 | -19% |
| Rushey Green | 3,795 | 185.1 | +51% |
| Bellingham | 1,599 | 150.8 | +23% |
| Downham | 1,981 | 103.1 | -16% |
| Perry Vale | 1,761 | 91.3 | -26% |
| Lee Green | 1,243 | 84.6 | -31% |
| Crofton Park | 1,370 | 89.1 | -27% |
| Grove Park | 1,325 | 85.4 | -30% |
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 Catford South over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Oldstead Road | 370 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 206 |
| On or near Supermarket | 128 |
| On or near Franthorne Way | 111 |
| On or near Hazelbank Road | 65 |
| On or near Bellingham Road | 61 |
| On or near Aitken Road | 60 |
| On or near Brownhill Road | 59 |
| On or near Bromley Road | 57 |
| On or near Burleigh Walk | 54 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Catford South 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 | 617 | 28.9% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 489 | 22.9% |
| Not recorded | 354 | 16.6% |
| Under investigation | 263 | 12.3% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 254 | 11.9% |
| Status update unavailable | 75 | 3.5% |
| Court result unavailable | 44 | 2.1% |
| Local resolution | 20 | 0.9% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 7 | 0.3% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 4 | 0.2% |
| Offender given penalty notice | 4 | 0.2% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.1% |
Catford South has an estimated population of 17,368. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Catford South sits in decile 4.0, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Catford South |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 19.6% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 66.0% |
| Aged 65 and over | 14.4% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 61.6% |
| Social rented homes | 16.9% |
| Private rented homes | 21.4% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.0 |
Is Catford South a safe place to live?
Catford South recorded 122.9 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 Catford South?
Shoplifting was the most common category, with 564 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by violence and sexual offences (513).
Is crime in Catford South going up or down?
Recorded crime in Catford South was up 18% on the year before: 2,134 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,802 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Catford South?
Catford South 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 Catford South. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.