Crime in Hackney Downs: statistics, rates and trends
1,491 crimes were recorded in Hackney Downs in the 12 months to July 2026, 114.0 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 11% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Hackney Downs at a glance
- Crime trends in Hackney Downs
- Types of crime in Hackney Downs
- Hackney Downs compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Hackney Downs
- What happened after crimes were reported in Hackney Downs
- Population and deprivation in Hackney Downs
- Questions about crime in Hackney Downs
- About this data
1,491 crimes were recorded in Hackney Downs in the 12 months to July 2026, 114.0 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 11% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 379 reports (25% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Hackney Downs has the 926th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Hackney Downs | Hackney | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,491 | 39,179 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 114.0 | 146.9 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -11% | -2% | -1% |
| Population | 13,075 | 266,758 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Hackney Downs was highest in the year to July 2021 (2,234 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (1,491). 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 | 1,491 | 114.0 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,670 | 127.7 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,520 | 116.3 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,625 | 124.3 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,792 | 137.1 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 2,234 | 170.9 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,969 | 150.6 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,651 | 126.3 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,584 | 121.1 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 132 |
| June 2026 | 122 |
| May 2026 | 108 |
| April 2026 | 120 |
| March 2026 | 120 |
| February 2026 | 106 |
| January 2026 | 98 |
| December 2025 | 105 |
| November 2025 | 109 |
| October 2025 | 138 |
| September 2025 | 146 |
| August 2025 | 187 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Hackney Downs 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, other theft, vehicle crime.
The largest increases were in drugs (+13%) and criminal damage and arson (+12%). The largest falls were in robbery (-56%) and theft from the person (-51%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 379 | 29.0 | 0.85 | +3% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 356 | 27.2 | 1.77 | -1% |
| Other theft | 109 | 8.3 | 1.30 | -3% |
| Vehicle crime | 100 | 7.6 | 1.55 | -17% |
| Drugs | 96 | 7.3 | 2.25 | +13% |
| Theft from the person | 95 | 7.3 | 4.30 | -51% |
| Public order | 88 | 6.7 | 1.01 | +6% |
| Burglary | 71 | 5.4 | 1.54 | -27% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 67 | 5.1 | 0.76 | +12% |
| Shoplifting | 41 | 3.1 | 0.38 | -11% |
| Robbery | 35 | 2.7 | 1.98 | -56% |
| Bicycle theft | 30 | 2.3 | 2.79 | -23% |
| Possession of weapons | 13 | 1.0 | 1.02 | +117% |
| Other crime | 11 | 0.8 | 0.40 | -45% |
Violence and sexual offences in Hackney Downs
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Hackney Downs recorded 379 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (29.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 25.4% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Hackney Downs
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Hackney Downs recorded 356 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (27.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 1% on the year before. It made up 23.9% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Hackney Downs
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Hackney Downs recorded 109 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 7.3% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Hackney Downs
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Hackney Downs recorded 100 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 6.7% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Hackney Downs
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Hackney Downs recorded 96 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 up 13% on the year before. It made up 6.4% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Hackney Downs
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Hackney Downs recorded 95 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 51% on the year before. It made up 6.4% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Hackney Downs
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Hackney Downs recorded 88 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 5.9% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Hackney Downs
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Hackney Downs recorded 71 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 27% on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Hackney Downs
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Hackney Downs recorded 67 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 4.5% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Hackney Downs
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Hackney Downs recorded 41 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Hackney Downs
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Hackney Downs recorded 35 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 56% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Hackney Downs
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Hackney Downs recorded 30 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Hackney Downs
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Hackney Downs recorded 13 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 117% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Hackney Downs
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Hackney Downs recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 45% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Hackney Downs, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Hackney Downs.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Hackney Downs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lea Bridge | 1,730 | 117.1 | +3% |
| Stoke Newington | 1,498 | 126.6 | +11% |
| Cazenove | 880 | 61.5 | -46% |
| Shacklewell | 1,492 | 157.1 | +38% |
| Hackney Central | 2,637 | 196.8 | +73% |
| Springfield | 1,857 | 106.1 | -7% |
| Dalston | 2,951 | 281.6 | +147% |
| Homerton | 2,686 | 205.9 | +81% |
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 Hackney Downs over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Apprentice Way | 150 |
| On or near Powell Road | 108 |
| On or near Stoke Newington Common | 61 |
| On or near Downs Road | 56 |
| On or near Brooke Road | 54 |
| On or near Queensdown Road | 50 |
| On or near Ferron Road | 49 |
| On or near Cricketfield Road | 48 |
| On or near Ickburgh Road | 47 |
| On or near Narford Road | 47 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Hackney Downs 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 | 512 | 34.3% |
| Not recorded | 356 | 23.9% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 322 | 21.6% |
| Under investigation | 128 | 8.6% |
| Status update unavailable | 58 | 3.9% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 48 | 3.2% |
| Local resolution | 32 | 2.1% |
| Court result unavailable | 17 | 1.1% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 6 | 0.4% |
| Offender given penalty notice | 5 | 0.3% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.2% |
| Offender given a caution | 3 | 0.2% |
Hackney Downs has an estimated population of 13,075. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Hackney Downs sits in decile 3.2, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Hackney Downs |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 15.8% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 75.7% |
| Aged 65 and over | 8.4% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 29.6% |
| Social rented homes | 40.3% |
| Private rented homes | 30.0% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 3.2 |
Is Hackney Downs a safe place to live?
Hackney Downs recorded 114.0 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 Hackney Downs?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 379 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (356).
Is crime in Hackney Downs going up or down?
Recorded crime in Hackney Downs was down 11% on the year before: 1,491 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,670 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Hackney Downs?
Hackney Downs 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 Hackney Downs. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.