Crime in Plaistow: statistics, rates and trends
1,104 crimes were recorded in Plaistow in the 12 months to July 2026, 84.5 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 7% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Plaistow at a glance
- Crime trends in Plaistow
- Types of crime in Plaistow
- Plaistow compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Plaistow
- What happened after crimes were reported in Plaistow
- Population and deprivation in Plaistow
- Questions about crime in Plaistow
- About this data
1,104 crimes were recorded in Plaistow in the 12 months to July 2026, 84.5 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 7% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 305 reports (28% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Plaistow has the 1,680th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Plaistow | Bromley | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,104 | 29,229 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 84.5 | 87.2 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -7% | -1% | -1% |
| Population | 13,064 | 335,319 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Plaistow was highest in the year to July 2025 (1,193 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (908). Over the whole period it rose 22%, 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 | 1,104 | 84.5 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,193 | 91.3 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,088 | 83.3 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 937 | 71.7 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 940 | 72.0 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,159 | 88.7 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,044 | 79.9 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 938 | 71.8 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 908 | 69.5 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 110 |
| June 2026 | 106 |
| May 2026 | 102 |
| April 2026 | 78 |
| March 2026 | 93 |
| February 2026 | 82 |
| January 2026 | 105 |
| December 2025 | 73 |
| November 2025 | 79 |
| October 2025 | 82 |
| September 2025 | 90 |
| August 2025 | 104 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Plaistow 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, vehicle crime, drugs.
The largest increases were in anti-social behaviour (+21%) and violence and sexual offences (+18%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-64%) and criminal damage and arson (-54%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 305 | 23.3 | 0.68 | +18% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 256 | 19.6 | 1.28 | +21% |
| Vehicle crime | 173 | 13.2 | 2.69 | +7% |
| Other theft | 73 | 5.6 | 0.87 | -12% |
| Shoplifting | 64 | 4.9 | 0.59 | -64% |
| Public order | 62 | 4.7 | 0.71 | -9% |
| Drugs | 54 | 4.1 | 1.26 | +15% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 30 | 2.3 | 0.34 | -54% |
| Burglary | 24 | 1.8 | 0.52 | -52% |
| Other crime | 24 | 1.8 | 0.87 | +50% |
| Robbery | 16 | 1.2 | 0.91 | -27% |
| Theft from the person | 15 | 1.1 | 0.68 | -48% |
| Possession of weapons | 6 | 0.5 | 0.47 | +100% |
| Bicycle theft | 2 | 0.2 | 0.19 | +100% |
Violence and sexual offences in Plaistow
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Plaistow recorded 305 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (23.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 18% on the year before. It made up 27.6% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Plaistow
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Plaistow recorded 256 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (19.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 21% on the year before. It made up 23.2% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Plaistow
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Plaistow recorded 173 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 15.7% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Plaistow
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Plaistow recorded 73 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 6.6% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Plaistow
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Plaistow recorded 64 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 64% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Plaistow
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Plaistow recorded 62 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 5.6% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Plaistow
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Plaistow recorded 54 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 15% on the year before. It made up 4.9% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Plaistow
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Plaistow recorded 30 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 54% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Plaistow
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Plaistow recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 52% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Plaistow
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Plaistow recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 50% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Plaistow
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Plaistow recorded 16 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 27% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Plaistow
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Plaistow recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 48% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Plaistow
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Plaistow recorded 6 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 100% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Plaistow
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Plaistow recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Plaistow, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Plaistow.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Plaistow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bromley Town | 3,175 | 191.5 | +127% |
| Bickley & Sundridge | 1,004 | 52.0 | -38% |
| Shortlands & Park Langley | 934 | 59.4 | -30% |
| Mottingham | 1,309 | 116.8 | +38% |
| Beckenham Town & Copers Cope | 1,714 | 107.0 | +27% |
| Chislehurst | 1,056 | 65.3 | -23% |
| Bromley Common & Holwood | 1,256 | 72.3 | -14% |
| Kelsey & Eden Park | 1,469 | 87.0 | +3% |
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 Plaistow over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Longfield | 128 |
| On or near Supermarket | 58 |
| On or near Hillcrest Road | 52 |
| On or near Boyland Road | 45 |
| On or near Sudbury Crescent | 41 |
| On or near Detling Road | 38 |
| On or near Burnt Ash Lane | 32 |
| On or near Roslin Way | 29 |
| On or near Bonville Road | 25 |
| On or near Brook Lane | 24 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Plaistow 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 | 347 | 31.4% |
| Not recorded | 256 | 23.2% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 254 | 23.0% |
| Under investigation | 121 | 11.0% |
| Status update unavailable | 63 | 5.7% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 32 | 2.9% |
| Local resolution | 14 | 1.3% |
| Court result unavailable | 9 | 0.8% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 5 | 0.5% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.1% |
| Offender given penalty notice | 1 | 0.1% |
| Offender given a caution | 1 | 0.1% |
Plaistow has an estimated population of 13,064. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Plaistow sits in decile 6.3, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Plaistow |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 19.7% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 63.5% |
| Aged 65 and over | 16.7% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 66.3% |
| Social rented homes | 15.2% |
| Private rented homes | 18.4% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.3 |
Is Plaistow a safe place to live?
Plaistow recorded 84.5 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, close to 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 Plaistow?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 305 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (256).
Is crime in Plaistow going up or down?
Recorded crime in Plaistow was down 7% on the year before: 1,104 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,193 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Plaistow?
Plaistow 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 Plaistow. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.