Crime in Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest: statistics, rates and trends
2,449 crimes were recorded in Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest in the 12 months to July 2026, 140.2 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 1% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest at a glance
- Crime trends in Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest
- Types of crime in Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest
- Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest
- What happened after crimes were reported in Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest
- Population and deprivation in Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest
- Questions about crime in Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest
- About this data
2,449 crimes were recorded in Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest in the 12 months to July 2026, 140.2 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 1% on the year before. The most common offence was anti-social behaviour, with 591 reports (24% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest has the 527th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest | Waltham Forest | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 2,449 | 29,474 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 140.2 | 105.4 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -1% | -5% | -1% |
| Population | 17,462 | 279,737 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest was highest in the year to July 2021 (2,625 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2023 (2,190). 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 | 2,449 | 140.2 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 2,480 | 142.0 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 2,507 | 143.6 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 2,190 | 125.4 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 2,220 | 127.1 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 2,625 | 150.3 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 2,559 | 146.5 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 2,272 | 130.1 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 2,292 | 131.3 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 205 |
| June 2026 | 217 |
| May 2026 | 245 |
| April 2026 | 223 |
| March 2026 | 221 |
| February 2026 | 190 |
| January 2026 | 188 |
| December 2025 | 194 |
| November 2025 | 184 |
| October 2025 | 186 |
| September 2025 | 178 |
| August 2025 | 218 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Lea Bridge, 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, other theft, vehicle crime.
The largest increases were in other theft (+19%) and anti-social behaviour (+16%). The largest falls were in theft from the person (-43%) and burglary (-23%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anti-social behaviour | 591 | 33.8 | 2.21 | +16% |
| Violence and sexual offences | 575 | 32.9 | 0.96 | +6% |
| Other theft | 249 | 14.3 | 2.23 | +19% |
| Vehicle crime | 188 | 10.8 | 2.19 | +1% |
| Drugs | 150 | 8.6 | 2.63 | -20% |
| Shoplifting | 146 | 8.4 | 1.01 | +4% |
| Theft from the person | 141 | 8.1 | 4.78 | -43% |
| Public order | 103 | 5.9 | 0.89 | -21% |
| Robbery | 92 | 5.3 | 3.90 | -4% |
| Burglary | 72 | 4.1 | 1.17 | -23% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 60 | 3.4 | 0.51 | -20% |
| Other crime | 35 | 2.0 | 0.95 | +192% |
| Bicycle theft | 34 | 1.9 | 2.37 | -11% |
| Possession of weapons | 13 | 0.7 | 0.77 | +8% |
Anti-social behaviour in Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest recorded 591 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (33.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 24.1% of all crime in the area.
Violence and sexual offences in Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest recorded 575 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (32.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 23.5% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest recorded 249 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (14.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 10.2% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest recorded 188 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 7.7% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest recorded 150 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest recorded 146 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 6.0% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest recorded 141 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 43% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest recorded 103 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest recorded 92 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest recorded 72 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest recorded 60 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest recorded 35 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 192% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest recorded 34 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest recorded 13 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Markhouse | 623 | 78.6 | -44% |
| Leyton | 1,608 | 124.3 | -11% |
| Forest | 1,638 | 95.6 | -32% |
| High Street | 2,548 | 235.7 | +68% |
| St James | 1,423 | 91.6 | -35% |
| Grove Green | 1,204 | 82.7 | -41% |
| Hoe Street | 1,658 | 116.6 | -17% |
| Wood Street | 1,161 | 105.9 | -24% |
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 Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Lea Bridge Road | 254 |
| On or near Supermarket | 188 |
| On or near High Road | 145 |
| On or near Stanley Road | 122 |
| On or near Elm Park Road | 95 |
| On or near Parking Area | 92 |
| On or near Staffa Road | 67 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 63 |
| On or near Northumberland Road | 52 |
| On or near Bickley Road | 48 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Lea Bridge, 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 | 890 | 36.3% |
| Not recorded | 591 | 24.1% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 440 | 18.0% |
| Under investigation | 233 | 9.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 136 | 5.6% |
| Local resolution | 75 | 3.1% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 42 | 1.7% |
| Offender given penalty notice | 13 | 0.5% |
| Court result unavailable | 13 | 0.5% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 12 | 0.5% |
| Offender given a caution | 2 | 0.1% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.1% |
Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest has an estimated population of 17,462. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest sits in decile 3.3, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 20.0% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 71.5% |
| Aged 65 and over | 8.5% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 48.0% |
| Social rented homes | 16.6% |
| Private rented homes | 35.1% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 3.3 |
Is Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest a safe place to live?
Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest recorded 140.2 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 Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest?
Anti-social behaviour was the most common category, with 591 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by violence and sexual offences (575).
Is crime in Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest going up or down?
Recorded crime in Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest was down 1% on the year before: 2,449 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 2,480 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest?
Lea Bridge, 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 Lea Bridge, Waltham Forest. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.