Crime in Downham: statistics, rates and trends
1,981 crimes were recorded in Downham in the 12 months to July 2026, 103.1 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and almost unchanged on the year before.
Table of Contents
1,981 crimes were recorded in Downham in the 12 months to July 2026, 103.1 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 699 reports (35% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Downham has the 1,168th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Downham | Lewisham | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,981 | 36,975 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 103.1 | 122.7 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -0% | +3% | -1% |
| Population | 19,212 | 301,255 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Downham was highest in the year to July 2020 (2,212 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (1,654). Over the whole period it rose 20%, 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 | 1,981 | 103.1 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,982 | 103.2 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 2,021 | 105.2 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 2,147 | 111.8 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,982 | 103.2 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 2,136 | 111.2 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 2,212 | 115.1 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,911 | 99.5 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,654 | 86.1 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 173 |
| June 2026 | 193 |
| May 2026 | 161 |
| April 2026 | 178 |
| March 2026 | 160 |
| February 2026 | 161 |
| January 2026 | 152 |
| December 2025 | 160 |
| November 2025 | 166 |
| October 2025 | 164 |
| September 2025 | 152 |
| August 2025 | 161 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Downham 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 vehicle crime, drugs, robbery.
The largest increases were in shoplifting (+51%) and other crime (+26%). The largest falls were in theft from the person (-37%) and criminal damage and arson (-32%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 699 | 36.4 | 1.06 | +14% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 367 | 19.1 | 1.25 | -2% |
| Vehicle crime | 226 | 11.8 | 2.39 | +10% |
| Other theft | 109 | 5.7 | 0.89 | -14% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 103 | 5.4 | 0.79 | -32% |
| Public order | 96 | 5.0 | 0.75 | -25% |
| Shoplifting | 92 | 4.8 | 0.58 | +51% |
| Drugs | 84 | 4.4 | 1.34 | -24% |
| Burglary | 63 | 3.3 | 0.93 | -14% |
| Robbery | 53 | 2.8 | 2.04 | -4% |
| Other crime | 34 | 1.8 | 0.84 | +26% |
| Theft from the person | 24 | 1.2 | 0.74 | -37% |
| Possession of weapons | 23 | 1.2 | 1.23 | +156% |
| Bicycle theft | 8 | 0.4 | 0.51 | -27% |
Violence and sexual offences in Downham
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Downham recorded 699 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (36.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 35.3% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Downham
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Downham recorded 367 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (19.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 18.5% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Downham
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Downham recorded 226 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 11.4% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Downham
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Downham recorded 109 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 5.5% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Downham
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Downham recorded 103 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 32% on the year before. It made up 5.2% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Downham
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Downham recorded 96 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Downham
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Downham recorded 92 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 51% on the year before. It made up 4.6% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Downham
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Downham recorded 84 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 24% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Downham
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Downham recorded 63 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Downham
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Downham recorded 53 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Downham
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Downham recorded 34 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 26% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Downham
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Downham recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 37% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Downham
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Downham recorded 23 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 156% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Downham
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Downham recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 27% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Downham, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Downham.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Downham |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catford South | 2,134 | 122.9 | +19% |
| Grove Park | 1,325 | 85.4 | -17% |
| Hither Green | 1,986 | 99.5 | -3% |
| Bellingham | 1,599 | 150.8 | +46% |
| Rushey Green | 3,795 | 185.1 | +79% |
| Lee Green | 1,243 | 84.6 | -18% |
| Perry Vale | 1,761 | 91.3 | -11% |
| Crofton Park | 1,370 | 89.1 | -14% |
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 Downham over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Camlan Road | 102 |
| On or near Old Bromley Road | 72 |
| On or near Oakridge Lane | 62 |
| On or near Bedivere Road | 57 |
| On or near Downham Lane | 54 |
| On or near Ashgrove Road | 49 |
| On or near Woodbury Gardens | 49 |
| On or near Fieldside Road | 47 |
| On or near Ivorydown | 47 |
| On or near Parking Area | 47 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Downham 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 | 625 | 31.5% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 554 | 28.0% |
| Not recorded | 367 | 18.5% |
| Under investigation | 219 | 11.1% |
| Status update unavailable | 99 | 5.0% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 62 | 3.1% |
| Court result unavailable | 20 | 1.0% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 15 | 0.8% |
| Local resolution | 14 | 0.7% |
| Offender given a caution | 4 | 0.2% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.1% |
Downham has an estimated population of 19,212. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Downham sits in decile 2.4, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Downham |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 21.2% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 67.4% |
| Aged 65 and over | 11.4% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 43.7% |
| Social rented homes | 37.8% |
| Private rented homes | 18.4% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 2.4 |
Is Downham a safe place to live?
Downham recorded 103.1 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, close to 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 Downham?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 699 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (367).
Is crime in Downham going up or down?
Recorded crime in Downham was almost unchanged on the year before: 1,981 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,982 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Downham?
Downham 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 Downham. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.