Crime in Forest, Waltham Forest: statistics, rates and trends
1,638 crimes were recorded in Forest, Waltham Forest in the 12 months to July 2026, 95.6 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 5% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Forest, Waltham Forest at a glance
- Crime trends in Forest, Waltham Forest
- Types of crime in Forest, Waltham Forest
- Forest, Waltham Forest compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Forest, Waltham Forest
- What happened after crimes were reported in Forest, Waltham Forest
- Population and deprivation in Forest, Waltham Forest
- Questions about crime in Forest, Waltham Forest
- About this data
1,638 crimes were recorded in Forest, Waltham Forest in the 12 months to July 2026, 95.6 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 5% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 537 reports (33% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Forest, Waltham Forest has the 1,351st highest crime rate.
| Measure | Forest, Waltham Forest | Waltham Forest | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,638 | 29,474 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 95.6 | 105.4 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -5% | -5% | -1% |
| Population | 17,131 | 279,737 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Forest, Waltham Forest was highest in the year to July 2020 (2,138 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2023 (1,599). Over the whole period it fell 6%, 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 | 1,638 | 95.6 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,729 | 100.9 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,807 | 105.5 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,599 | 93.3 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,816 | 106.0 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,995 | 116.5 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 2,138 | 124.8 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,876 | 109.5 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,741 | 101.6 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 147 |
| June 2026 | 129 |
| May 2026 | 113 |
| April 2026 | 147 |
| March 2026 | 153 |
| February 2026 | 105 |
| January 2026 | 140 |
| December 2025 | 162 |
| November 2025 | 149 |
| October 2025 | 142 |
| September 2025 | 141 |
| August 2025 | 110 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Forest, Waltham Forest 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, vehicle crime, other theft.
The largest increases were in violence and sexual offences (+14%) and burglary (+12%). The largest falls were in robbery (-61%) and other crime (-27%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 537 | 31.3 | 0.92 | +14% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 330 | 19.3 | 1.26 | -7% |
| Vehicle crime | 148 | 8.6 | 1.75 | -18% |
| Other theft | 144 | 8.4 | 1.31 | -19% |
| Public order | 102 | 6.0 | 0.90 | +6% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 78 | 4.6 | 0.67 | -22% |
| Drugs | 73 | 4.3 | 1.30 | -8% |
| Theft from the person | 63 | 3.7 | 2.18 | -19% |
| Burglary | 57 | 3.3 | 0.94 | +12% |
| Robbery | 29 | 1.7 | 1.25 | -61% |
| Shoplifting | 28 | 1.6 | 0.20 | +115% |
| Bicycle theft | 19 | 1.1 | 1.35 | +6% |
| Other crime | 19 | 1.1 | 0.53 | -27% |
| Possession of weapons | 11 | 0.6 | 0.66 | +22% |
Violence and sexual offences in Forest, Waltham Forest
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Forest, Waltham Forest recorded 537 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (31.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 32.8% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Forest, Waltham Forest
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Forest, Waltham Forest recorded 330 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (19.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 20.1% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Forest, Waltham Forest
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Forest, Waltham Forest recorded 148 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 9.0% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Forest, Waltham Forest
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Forest, Waltham Forest recorded 144 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 8.8% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Forest, Waltham Forest
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Forest, Waltham Forest recorded 102 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 6.2% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Forest, Waltham Forest
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Forest, Waltham Forest recorded 78 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 22% on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Forest, Waltham Forest
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Forest, Waltham Forest recorded 73 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 4.5% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Forest, Waltham Forest
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Forest, Waltham Forest recorded 63 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Forest, Waltham Forest
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Forest, Waltham Forest recorded 57 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 up 12% on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Forest, Waltham Forest
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Forest, Waltham Forest recorded 29 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 61% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Forest, Waltham Forest
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Forest, Waltham Forest recorded 28 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 115% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Forest, Waltham Forest
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Forest, Waltham Forest recorded 19 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Forest, Waltham Forest
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Forest, Waltham Forest recorded 19 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 27% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Forest, Waltham Forest
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Forest, Waltham Forest recorded 11 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 22% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Forest, Waltham Forest, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Forest, Waltham Forest.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Forest, Waltham Forest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leytonstone | 2,572 | 212.8 | +123% |
| Grove Green | 1,204 | 82.7 | -13% |
| Wood Street | 1,161 | 105.9 | +11% |
| Hoe Street | 1,658 | 116.6 | +22% |
| Markhouse | 623 | 78.6 | -18% |
| Leyton | 1,608 | 124.3 | +30% |
| Lea Bridge | 2,449 | 140.2 | +47% |
| High Street | 2,548 | 235.7 | +147% |
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 Forest, Waltham Forest over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 213 |
| On or near Meadowcroft Close | 92 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 92 |
| On or near Poplars Road | 59 |
| On or near A112 | 57 |
| On or near Forest Road | 53 |
| On or near Dyson Road | 41 |
| On or near St Heliers Road | 39 |
| On or near Greg Close | 36 |
| On or near Vicarage Road | 33 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Forest, Waltham Forest 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 | 505 | 30.8% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 356 | 21.7% |
| Not recorded | 330 | 20.1% |
| Under investigation | 219 | 13.4% |
| Status update unavailable | 108 | 6.6% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 50 | 3.1% |
| Local resolution | 24 | 1.5% |
| Court result unavailable | 24 | 1.5% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 8 | 0.5% |
| Offender given penalty notice | 6 | 0.4% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 5 | 0.3% |
| Offender given a caution | 2 | 0.1% |
Forest, Waltham Forest has an estimated population of 17,131. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Forest, Waltham Forest sits in decile 3.8, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Forest, Waltham Forest |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 22.0% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 67.9% |
| Aged 65 and over | 10.1% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 48.1% |
| Social rented homes | 23.2% |
| Private rented homes | 28.5% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 3.8 |
Is Forest, Waltham Forest a safe place to live?
Forest, Waltham Forest recorded 95.6 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 Forest, Waltham Forest?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 537 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (330).
Is crime in Forest, Waltham Forest going up or down?
Recorded crime in Forest, Waltham Forest was down 5% on the year before: 1,638 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,729 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Forest, Waltham Forest?
Forest, Waltham Forest 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 Forest, Waltham Forest. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.