Crime in Erith: statistics, rates and trends
1,988 crimes were recorded in Erith in the 12 months to July 2026, 117.3 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 6% on the year before.
1,988 crimes were recorded in Erith in the 12 months to July 2026, 117.3 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 6% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 646 reports (32% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Erith has the 866th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Erith | Bexley | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,988 | 20,071 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 117.3 | 78.3 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +6% | +1% | -1% |
| Population | 16,952 | 256,434 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Erith was highest in the year to July 2020 (2,293 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2022 (1,842). Over the whole period it rose 4%, 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 | 1,988 | 117.3 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,877 | 110.7 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 2,006 | 118.3 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,927 | 113.7 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,842 | 108.7 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 2,192 | 129.3 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 2,293 | 135.3 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 2,177 | 128.4 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,903 | 112.3 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 184 |
| June 2026 | 200 |
| May 2026 | 158 |
| April 2026 | 149 |
| March 2026 | 188 |
| February 2026 | 125 |
| January 2026 | 129 |
| December 2025 | 179 |
| November 2025 | 183 |
| October 2025 | 173 |
| September 2025 | 170 |
| August 2025 | 150 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Erith 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, drugs, vehicle crime.
The largest increases were in robbery (+108%) and burglary (+46%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-64%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 646 | 38.1 | 1.11 | +11% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 398 | 23.5 | 1.53 | +32% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 136 | 8.0 | 1.18 | -4% |
| Drugs | 132 | 7.8 | 2.38 | +23% |
| Other theft | 126 | 7.4 | 1.16 | -2% |
| Vehicle crime | 125 | 7.4 | 1.50 | +3% |
| Public order | 118 | 7.0 | 1.05 | +11% |
| Shoplifting | 93 | 5.5 | 0.66 | -64% |
| Burglary | 79 | 4.7 | 1.32 | +46% |
| Robbery | 54 | 3.2 | 2.36 | +108% |
| Other crime | 32 | 1.9 | 0.89 | +39% |
| Theft from the person | 26 | 1.5 | 0.91 | +86% |
| Possession of weapons | 15 | 0.9 | 0.91 | +67% |
| Bicycle theft | 8 | 0.5 | 0.57 | +14% |
Violence and sexual offences in Erith
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Erith recorded 646 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (38.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 32.5% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Erith
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Erith recorded 398 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (23.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 32% on the year before. It made up 20.0% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Erith
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Erith recorded 136 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 6.8% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Erith
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Erith recorded 132 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 23% on the year before. It made up 6.6% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Erith
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Erith recorded 126 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 6.3% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Erith
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Erith recorded 125 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 6.3% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Erith
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Erith recorded 118 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 5.9% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Erith
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Erith recorded 93 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 64% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Erith
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Erith recorded 79 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 46% on the year before. It made up 4.0% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Erith
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Erith recorded 54 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 108% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Erith
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Erith recorded 32 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 39% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Erith
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Erith recorded 26 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 86% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Erith
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Erith recorded 15 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 67% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Erith
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Erith recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Erith, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Erith.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Erith |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northumberland Heath | 797 | 69.6 | -41% |
| Slade Green & Northend | 1,457 | 98.7 | -16% |
| Barnehurst | 449 | 45.4 | -61% |
| Belvedere | 1,757 | 96.7 | -18% |
| Bexleyheath | 2,432 | 147.8 | +26% |
| West Heath | 693 | 48.2 | -59% |
| Crayford | 1,499 | 88.7 | -24% |
| Crook Log | 1,161 | 66.2 | -44% |
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 Erith over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Shopping Area | 99 |
| On or near Athol Road | 76 |
| On or near St Francis' Road | 76 |
| On or near Parking Area | 76 |
| On or near Supermarket | 70 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 65 |
| On or near Rutland Gate | 45 |
| On or near Galleon Close | 43 |
| On or near Medley Lane | 41 |
| On or near Saltford Close | 40 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Erith 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 610 | 30.7% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 574 | 28.9% |
| Not recorded | 398 | 20.0% |
| Under investigation | 186 | 9.4% |
| Status update unavailable | 84 | 4.2% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 54 | 2.7% |
| Local resolution | 28 | 1.4% |
| Court result unavailable | 26 | 1.3% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 18 | 0.9% |
| Offender given penalty notice | 5 | 0.3% |
| Offender given a caution | 3 | 0.2% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.1% |
Erith has an estimated population of 16,952. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Erith sits in decile 3.8, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Erith |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 24.5% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 64.2% |
| Aged 65 and over | 11.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 52.9% |
| Social rented homes | 28.1% |
| Private rented homes | 18.9% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 3.8 |
Is Erith a safe place to live?
Erith recorded 117.3 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 Erith?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 646 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (398).
Is crime in Erith going up or down?
Recorded crime in Erith was up 6% on the year before: 1,988 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,877 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Erith?
Erith 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 Erith. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.