Crime in Penge & Cator: statistics, rates and trends
2,687 crimes were recorded in Penge & Cator in the 12 months to July 2026, 132.9 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 3% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Penge & Cator at a glance
- Crime trends in Penge & Cator
- Types of crime in Penge & Cator
- Penge & Cator compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Penge & Cator
- What happened after crimes were reported in Penge & Cator
- Population and deprivation in Penge & Cator
- Questions about crime in Penge & Cator
- About this data
2,687 crimes were recorded in Penge & Cator in the 12 months to July 2026, 132.9 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 3% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 634 reports (24% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Penge & Cator has the 629th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Penge & Cator | Bromley | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 2,687 | 29,229 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 132.9 | 87.2 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -3% | -1% | -1% |
| Population | 20,223 | 335,319 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Penge & Cator was highest in the year to July 2025 (2,761 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (2,261). Over the whole period it rose 10%, 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 | 2,687 | 132.9 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 2,761 | 136.5 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 2,261 | 111.8 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 2,457 | 121.5 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 2,496 | 123.4 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 2,498 | 123.5 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 2,663 | 131.7 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 2,677 | 132.4 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 2,449 | 121.1 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 253 |
| June 2026 | 228 |
| May 2026 | 238 |
| April 2026 | 206 |
| March 2026 | 178 |
| February 2026 | 217 |
| January 2026 | 200 |
| December 2025 | 207 |
| November 2025 | 224 |
| October 2025 | 207 |
| September 2025 | 242 |
| August 2025 | 287 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Penge & Cator 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, shoplifting, vehicle crime.
The largest increases were in other crime (+50%) and shoplifting (+23%). The largest falls were in theft from the person (-31%) and criminal damage and arson (-30%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 634 | 31.4 | 0.92 | -4% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 554 | 27.4 | 1.79 | +5% |
| Shoplifting | 356 | 17.6 | 2.12 | +23% |
| Vehicle crime | 311 | 15.4 | 3.12 | -13% |
| Other theft | 174 | 8.6 | 1.35 | -3% |
| Public order | 158 | 7.8 | 1.18 | -11% |
| Burglary | 122 | 6.0 | 1.71 | -2% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 113 | 5.6 | 0.82 | -30% |
| Drugs | 106 | 5.2 | 1.60 | -4% |
| Robbery | 53 | 2.6 | 1.94 | -4% |
| Theft from the person | 45 | 2.2 | 1.32 | -31% |
| Other crime | 30 | 1.5 | 0.70 | +50% |
| Bicycle theft | 18 | 0.9 | 1.08 | +12% |
| Possession of weapons | 13 | 0.6 | 0.66 | -24% |
Violence and sexual offences in Penge & Cator
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Penge & Cator recorded 634 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (31.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 23.6% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Penge & Cator
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Penge & Cator recorded 554 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (27.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 20.6% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Penge & Cator
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Penge & Cator recorded 356 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 23% on the year before. It made up 13.2% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Penge & Cator
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Penge & Cator recorded 311 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 11.6% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Penge & Cator
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Penge & Cator recorded 174 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 6.5% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Penge & Cator
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Penge & Cator recorded 158 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 5.9% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Penge & Cator
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Penge & Cator recorded 122 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 4.5% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Penge & Cator
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Penge & Cator recorded 113 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 30% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Penge & Cator
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Penge & Cator recorded 106 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 3.9% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Penge & Cator
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Penge & Cator recorded 53 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Penge & Cator
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Penge & Cator recorded 45 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 31% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Penge & Cator
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Penge & Cator recorded 30 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 50% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Penge & Cator
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Penge & Cator recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Penge & Cator
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Penge & Cator recorded 13 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 down 24% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Penge & Cator, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Penge & Cator.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Penge & Cator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal Palace & Anerley | 1,667 | 137.2 | +3% |
| Clock House | 860 | 51.7 | -61% |
| Beckenham Town & Copers Cope | 1,714 | 107.0 | -19% |
| Kelsey & Eden Park | 1,469 | 87.0 | -35% |
| Shortlands & Park Langley | 934 | 59.4 | -55% |
| Plaistow | 1,104 | 84.5 | -36% |
| Bromley Town | 3,175 | 191.5 | +44% |
| West Wickham | 781 | 51.7 | -61% |
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 Penge & Cator over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Montague Mews | 175 |
| On or near Supermarket | 168 |
| On or near Beckenham Road | 121 |
| On or near A234 | 81 |
| On or near Parkside Close | 81 |
| On or near Thesiger Road | 72 |
| On or near Parking Area | 59 |
| On or near Avenue Road | 51 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 46 |
| On or near Evelina Road | 44 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Penge & Cator 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 | 1,016 | 37.8% |
| Not recorded | 554 | 20.6% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 540 | 20.1% |
| Under investigation | 249 | 9.3% |
| Status update unavailable | 108 | 4.0% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 101 | 3.8% |
| Local resolution | 46 | 1.7% |
| Court result unavailable | 41 | 1.5% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 15 | 0.6% |
| Offender given a caution | 9 | 0.3% |
| Offender given penalty notice | 5 | 0.2% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.1% |
Penge & Cator has an estimated population of 20,223. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Penge & Cator sits in decile 4.6, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Penge & Cator |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 19.3% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 69.5% |
| Aged 65 and over | 11.2% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 48.8% |
| Social rented homes | 27.3% |
| Private rented homes | 23.9% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.6 |
Is Penge & Cator a safe place to live?
Penge & Cator recorded 132.9 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 Penge & Cator?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 634 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (554).
Is crime in Penge & Cator going up or down?
Recorded crime in Penge & Cator was down 3% on the year before: 2,687 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 2,761 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Penge & Cator?
Penge & Cator 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 Penge & Cator. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.