Crime in Highbury: statistics, rates and trends

1,466 crimes were recorded in Highbury in the 12 months to July 2026, 107.8 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 8% on the year before. The most common offence was anti-social behaviour, with 325 reports (22% of the total).

Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Highbury has the 1,053rd highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Highbury was highest in the year to July 2020 (1,986 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (1,466). Over the whole period it fell 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.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Highbury 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, theft from the person, drugs.

The largest increases were in public order (+44%) and drugs (+26%). The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-46%) and shoplifting (-46%).

Anti-social behaviour in Highbury

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Highbury recorded 325 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (23.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 22.2% of all crime in the area.

Violence and sexual offences in Highbury

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Highbury recorded 323 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (23.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 22.0% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Highbury

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Highbury recorded 148 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 10.1% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Highbury

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Highbury recorded 105 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 30% on the year before. It made up 7.2% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Highbury

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Highbury recorded 102 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 44% on the year before. It made up 7.0% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Highbury

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Highbury recorded 92 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 26% on the year before. It made up 6.3% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Highbury

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Highbury recorded 78 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 46% on the year before. It made up 5.3% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Highbury

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Highbury recorded 69 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 down 14% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Highbury

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Highbury recorded 68 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 4.6% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Highbury

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Highbury recorded 66 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 39% on the year before. It made up 4.5% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Highbury

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Highbury recorded 58 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 31% on the year before. It made up 4.0% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Highbury

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Highbury recorded 13 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 46% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Highbury

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Highbury recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 50% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Highbury

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Highbury recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 600% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Highbury, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Highbury.

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 Highbury over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Highbury 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.

Highbury has an estimated population of 13,602. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Highbury sits in decile 5.5, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

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 Highbury. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.