Crime in Holborn & Covent Garden: statistics, rates and trends
5,917 crimes were recorded in Holborn & Covent Garden in the 12 months to July 2026, 572.1 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 10% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Holborn & Covent Garden at a glance
- Crime trends in Holborn & Covent Garden
- Types of crime in Holborn & Covent Garden
- Holborn & Covent Garden compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Holborn & Covent Garden
- What happened after crimes were reported in Holborn & Covent Garden
- Population and deprivation in Holborn & Covent Garden
- Questions about crime in Holborn & Covent Garden
- About this data
5,917 crimes were recorded in Holborn & Covent Garden in the 12 months to July 2026, 572.1 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 10% on the year before. The most common offence was theft from the person, with 1,155 reports (20% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Holborn & Covent Garden has the 14th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Holborn & Covent Garden | Camden | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 5,917 | 46,860 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 572.1 | 216.0 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -10% | -6% | -1% |
| Population | 10,342 | 216,943 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Holborn & Covent Garden was highest in the year to July 2024 (6,863 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (3,561). Over the whole period it rose 7%, 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 | 5,917 | 572.1 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 6,611 | 639.2 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 6,863 | 663.6 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 6,253 | 604.6 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 4,855 | 469.4 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 3,561 | 344.3 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 5,280 | 510.5 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 5,951 | 575.4 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 5,509 | 532.7 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 465 |
| June 2026 | 518 |
| May 2026 | 481 |
| April 2026 | 564 |
| March 2026 | 437 |
| February 2026 | 478 |
| January 2026 | 397 |
| December 2025 | 524 |
| November 2025 | 551 |
| October 2025 | 517 |
| September 2025 | 477 |
| August 2025 | 508 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Holborn & Covent Garden 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 theft from the person, other theft, anti-social behaviour.
The largest increases were in shoplifting (+91%) and other crime (+24%). The largest falls were in theft from the person (-41%) and vehicle crime (-39%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Theft from the person | 1,155 | 111.7 | 66.11 | -41% |
| Other theft | 1,076 | 104.0 | 16.27 | -7% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 876 | 84.7 | 5.52 | -12% |
| Shoplifting | 835 | 80.7 | 9.75 | +91% |
| Violence and sexual offences | 792 | 76.6 | 2.24 | +16% |
| Public order | 263 | 25.4 | 3.83 | +4% |
| Burglary | 210 | 20.3 | 5.74 | -11% |
| Robbery | 200 | 19.3 | 14.32 | +0% |
| Vehicle crime | 153 | 14.8 | 3.00 | -39% |
| Drugs | 119 | 11.5 | 3.52 | -5% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 108 | 10.4 | 1.54 | -35% |
| Bicycle theft | 73 | 7.1 | 8.58 | -22% |
| Other crime | 36 | 3.5 | 1.65 | +24% |
| Possession of weapons | 21 | 2.0 | 2.09 | +24% |
Theft from the person in Holborn & Covent Garden
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Holborn & Covent Garden recorded 1,155 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (111.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 41% on the year before. It made up 19.5% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Holborn & Covent Garden
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Holborn & Covent Garden recorded 1,076 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (104.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 18.2% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Holborn & Covent Garden
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Holborn & Covent Garden recorded 876 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (84.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 14.8% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Holborn & Covent Garden
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Holborn & Covent Garden recorded 835 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (80.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 91% on the year before. It made up 14.1% of all crime in the area.
Violence and sexual offences in Holborn & Covent Garden
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Holborn & Covent Garden recorded 792 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (76.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 13.4% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Holborn & Covent Garden
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Holborn & Covent Garden recorded 263 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (25.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Holborn & Covent Garden
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Holborn & Covent Garden recorded 210 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (20.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Holborn & Covent Garden
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Holborn & Covent Garden recorded 200 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (19.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Holborn & Covent Garden
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Holborn & Covent Garden recorded 153 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (14.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 39% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Holborn & Covent Garden
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Holborn & Covent Garden recorded 119 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Holborn & Covent Garden
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Holborn & Covent Garden recorded 108 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 35% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Holborn & Covent Garden
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Holborn & Covent Garden recorded 73 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Holborn & Covent Garden
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Holborn & Covent Garden recorded 36 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 24% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Holborn & Covent Garden
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Holborn & Covent Garden recorded 21 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 24% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Holborn & Covent Garden, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Holborn & Covent Garden.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Holborn & Covent Garden |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomsbury | 8,874 | 602.0 | +5% |
| King's Cross | 3,793 | 316.7 | -45% |
| St Pancras & Somers Town | 2,722 | 183.3 | -68% |
| Regent's Park | 3,054 | 242.0 | -58% |
| Camden Square | 1,102 | 138.3 | -76% |
| Camden Town | 3,319 | 666.3 | +16% |
| Kentish Town South | 1,345 | 133.7 | -77% |
| Haverstock | 1,562 | 132.5 | -77% |
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 Holborn & Covent Garden over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Conference/Exhibition Centre | 666 |
| On or near Theatre/Concert Hall | 499 |
| On or near Further/Higher Educational Building | 344 |
| On or near Bleeding Heart Yard | 337 |
| On or near Holborn | 250 |
| On or near Gate Street | 195 |
| On or near Denmark Street | 175 |
| On or near Chancery Lane | 136 |
| On or near St Giles High Street | 113 |
| On or near Emerald Street | 108 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Holborn & Covent Garden 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 | 3,393 | 57.3% |
| Not recorded | 876 | 14.8% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 679 | 11.5% |
| Under investigation | 460 | 7.8% |
| Status update unavailable | 212 | 3.6% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 167 | 2.8% |
| Court result unavailable | 46 | 0.8% |
| Local resolution | 44 | 0.7% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 16 | 0.3% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 10 | 0.2% |
| Offender given a caution | 5 | 0.1% |
| Offender given penalty notice | 5 | 0.1% |
Holborn & Covent Garden has an estimated population of 10,342. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Holborn & Covent Garden sits in decile 3.4, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Holborn & Covent Garden |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 11.4% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 77.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 11.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 20.0% |
| Social rented homes | 45.0% |
| Private rented homes | 34.6% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 3.4 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 15.3% |
Is Holborn & Covent Garden a safe place to live?
Holborn & Covent Garden recorded 572.1 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 Holborn & Covent Garden?
Theft from the person was the most common category, with 1,155 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by other theft (1,076).
Is crime in Holborn & Covent Garden going up or down?
Recorded crime in Holborn & Covent Garden was down 10% on the year before: 5,917 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 6,611 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Holborn & Covent Garden?
Holborn & Covent Garden 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 Holborn & Covent Garden. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.