Crime in Chaucer: statistics, rates and trends
3,594 crimes were recorded in Chaucer in the 12 months to July 2026, 214.3 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 8% on the year before.
Table of Contents
3,594 crimes were recorded in Chaucer in the 12 months to July 2026, 214.3 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 8% on the year before. The most common offence was theft from the person, with 847 reports (24% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Chaucer has the 166th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Chaucer | Southwark | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 3,594 | 49,003 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 214.3 | 155.7 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +8% | -1% | -1% |
| Population | 16,773 | 314,786 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Chaucer was highest in the year to July 2026 (3,594 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2022 (2,591). Over the whole period it rose 23%, 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 | 3,594 | 214.3 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 3,327 | 198.4 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 3,058 | 182.3 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 3,216 | 191.7 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 2,591 | 154.5 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 2,815 | 167.8 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 3,198 | 190.7 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 3,305 | 197.0 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 2,925 | 174.4 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 312 |
| June 2026 | 320 |
| May 2026 | 292 |
| April 2026 | 303 |
| March 2026 | 263 |
| February 2026 | 253 |
| January 2026 | 278 |
| December 2025 | 319 |
| November 2025 | 329 |
| October 2025 | 348 |
| September 2025 | 289 |
| August 2025 | 288 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Chaucer 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 theft from the person, anti-social behaviour, other theft.
The largest increases were in shoplifting (+61%) and robbery (+43%). The largest falls were in criminal damage and arson (-27%) and burglary (-25%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Theft from the person | 847 | 50.5 | 29.89 | +14% |
| Violence and sexual offences | 676 | 40.3 | 1.18 | +7% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 470 | 28.0 | 1.83 | -15% |
| Other theft | 387 | 23.1 | 3.61 | +28% |
| Shoplifting | 328 | 19.6 | 2.36 | +61% |
| Robbery | 240 | 14.3 | 10.59 | +43% |
| Public order | 151 | 9.0 | 1.35 | +11% |
| Burglary | 130 | 7.8 | 2.19 | -25% |
| Drugs | 123 | 7.3 | 2.24 | -16% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 77 | 4.6 | 0.68 | -27% |
| Vehicle crime | 75 | 4.5 | 0.91 | +25% |
| Bicycle theft | 47 | 2.8 | 3.40 | -22% |
| Other crime | 26 | 1.6 | 0.73 | -19% |
| Possession of weapons | 17 | 1.0 | 1.04 | +31% |
Theft from the person in Chaucer
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Chaucer recorded 847 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (50.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 23.6% of all crime in the area.
Violence and sexual offences in Chaucer
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Chaucer recorded 676 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (40.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 18.8% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Chaucer
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Chaucer recorded 470 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (28.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 13.1% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Chaucer
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Chaucer recorded 387 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (23.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 28% on the year before. It made up 10.8% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Chaucer
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Chaucer recorded 328 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (19.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 61% on the year before. It made up 9.1% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Chaucer
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Chaucer recorded 240 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (14.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 43% on the year before. It made up 6.7% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Chaucer
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Chaucer recorded 151 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Chaucer
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Chaucer recorded 130 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 down 25% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Chaucer
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Chaucer recorded 123 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Chaucer
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Chaucer recorded 77 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 27% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Chaucer
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Chaucer recorded 75 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 25% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Chaucer
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Chaucer recorded 47 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Chaucer
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Chaucer recorded 26 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Chaucer
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Chaucer recorded 17 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 31% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Chaucer, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Chaucer.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Chaucer |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Walworth | 3,035 | 222.2 | +4% |
| London Bridge & West Bermondsey | 3,821 | 278.9 | +30% |
| Borough & Bankside | 5,087 | 448.9 | +109% |
| St George's | 1,607 | 207.6 | -3% |
| Faraday | 3,079 | 210.6 | -2% |
| Newington | 2,495 | 155.6 | -27% |
| South Bermondsey | 2,078 | 116.2 | -46% |
| North Bermondsey | 2,274 | 139.2 | -35% |
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 Chaucer over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Newington Causeway | 313 |
| On or near Elephant Road | 282 |
| On or near Further/Higher Educational Building | 270 |
| On or near Supermarket | 169 |
| On or near Bermondsey Square | 160 |
| On or near A2198 | 155 |
| On or near Tarn Street | 143 |
| On or near Long Lane | 130 |
| On or near County Street | 96 |
| On or near Great Dover Street | 90 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Chaucer 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 | 1,981 | 55.1% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 515 | 14.3% |
| Not recorded | 470 | 13.1% |
| Under investigation | 238 | 6.6% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 152 | 4.2% |
| Status update unavailable | 106 | 2.9% |
| Local resolution | 62 | 1.7% |
| Court result unavailable | 30 | 0.8% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 16 | 0.4% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 10 | 0.3% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 5 | 0.1% |
| Offender given a caution | 5 | 0.1% |
Chaucer has an estimated population of 16,773. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Chaucer sits in decile 4.8, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Chaucer |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 13.2% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 81.2% |
| Aged 65 and over | 5.6% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 21.8% |
| Social rented homes | 41.8% |
| Private rented homes | 36.2% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.8 |
Is Chaucer a safe place to live?
Chaucer recorded 214.3 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 Chaucer?
Theft from the person was the most common category, with 847 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by violence and sexual offences (676).
Is crime in Chaucer going up or down?
Recorded crime in Chaucer was up 8% on the year before: 3,594 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 3,327 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Chaucer?
Chaucer 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 Chaucer. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.