Crime in Poplar, Tower Hamlets: statistics, rates and trends
1,187 crimes were recorded in Poplar, Tower Hamlets in the 12 months to July 2026, 169.9 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 19% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Poplar, Tower Hamlets at a glance
- Crime trends in Poplar, Tower Hamlets
- Types of crime in Poplar, Tower Hamlets
- Poplar, Tower Hamlets compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Poplar, Tower Hamlets
- What happened after crimes were reported in Poplar, Tower Hamlets
- Population and deprivation in Poplar, Tower Hamlets
- Questions about crime in Poplar, Tower Hamlets
- About this data
1,187 crimes were recorded in Poplar, Tower Hamlets in the 12 months to July 2026, 169.9 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 19% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 306 reports (26% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Poplar, Tower Hamlets has the 304th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Poplar, Tower Hamlets | Tower Hamlets | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,187 | 48,015 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 169.9 | 144.7 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +19% | +2% | -1% |
| Population | 6,988 | 331,886 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Poplar, Tower Hamlets was highest in the year to July 2026 (1,187 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (831). Over the whole period it rose 43%, 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 | 1,187 | 169.9 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,001 | 143.2 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 974 | 139.4 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 880 | 125.9 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 937 | 134.1 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,138 | 162.9 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,184 | 169.4 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 937 | 134.1 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 831 | 118.9 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 107 |
| June 2026 | 91 |
| May 2026 | 110 |
| April 2026 | 116 |
| March 2026 | 87 |
| February 2026 | 87 |
| January 2026 | 92 |
| December 2025 | 97 |
| November 2025 | 72 |
| October 2025 | 104 |
| September 2025 | 110 |
| August 2025 | 114 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Poplar, Tower Hamlets 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 violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour, vehicle crime.
The largest increases were in public order (+53%) and vehicle crime (+26%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 306 | 43.8 | 1.28 | +12% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 263 | 37.6 | 2.45 | +14% |
| Vehicle crime | 132 | 18.9 | 3.84 | +26% |
| Drugs | 83 | 11.9 | 3.63 | +12% |
| Public order | 72 | 10.3 | 1.55 | +53% |
| Shoplifting | 59 | 8.4 | 1.02 | +490% |
| Theft from the person | 59 | 8.4 | 5.00 | -2% |
| Other theft | 57 | 8.2 | 1.28 | -5% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 49 | 7.0 | 1.03 | +4% |
| Burglary | 39 | 5.6 | 1.58 | +18% |
| Robbery | 36 | 5.2 | 3.81 | +0% |
| Bicycle theft | 16 | 2.3 | 2.78 | +78% |
| Possession of weapons | 9 | 1.3 | 1.33 | +125% |
| Other crime | 7 | 1.0 | 0.47 | -46% |
Violence and sexual offences in Poplar, Tower Hamlets
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Poplar, Tower Hamlets recorded 306 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (43.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 25.8% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Poplar, Tower Hamlets
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Poplar, Tower Hamlets recorded 263 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (37.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 22.2% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Poplar, Tower Hamlets
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Poplar, Tower Hamlets recorded 132 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (18.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 26% on the year before. It made up 11.1% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Poplar, Tower Hamlets
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Poplar, Tower Hamlets recorded 83 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 7.0% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Poplar, Tower Hamlets
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Poplar, Tower Hamlets recorded 72 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 53% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Poplar, Tower Hamlets
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Poplar, Tower Hamlets recorded 59 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 490% on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Poplar, Tower Hamlets
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Poplar, Tower Hamlets recorded 59 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Poplar, Tower Hamlets
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Poplar, Tower Hamlets recorded 57 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Poplar, Tower Hamlets
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Poplar, Tower Hamlets recorded 49 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 4.1% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Poplar, Tower Hamlets
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Poplar, Tower Hamlets recorded 39 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 18% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Poplar, Tower Hamlets
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Poplar, Tower Hamlets recorded 36 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Poplar, Tower Hamlets
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Poplar, Tower Hamlets recorded 16 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 78% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Poplar, Tower Hamlets
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Poplar, Tower Hamlets recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 125% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Poplar, Tower Hamlets
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Poplar, Tower Hamlets recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 46% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Poplar, Tower Hamlets, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Poplar, Tower Hamlets.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Poplar, Tower Hamlets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lansbury | 3,130 | 137.7 | -19% |
| Blackwall & Cubitt Town | 2,526 | 97.5 | -43% |
| Canary Wharf | 3,774 | 186.4 | +10% |
| Limehouse | 945 | 145.5 | -14% |
| Mile End | 3,410 | 136.9 | -19% |
| Bromley South | 1,489 | 105.2 | -38% |
| Bromley North | 1,917 | 150.9 | -11% |
| St Dunstan's | 1,511 | 111.2 | -35% |
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 Poplar, Tower Hamlets over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Aspen Way | 143 |
| On or near Harrow Lane | 97 |
| On or near Clove Crescent | 65 |
| On or near Stoneyard Lane | 50 |
| On or near Bazely Street | 49 |
| On or near Saltwell Street | 49 |
| On or near Shirbutt Street | 44 |
| On or near Hale Street | 43 |
| On or near Woolmore Street | 42 |
| On or near Further/Higher Educational Building | 41 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Poplar, Tower Hamlets 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 | 461 | 38.8% |
| Not recorded | 263 | 22.2% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 180 | 15.2% |
| Under investigation | 133 | 11.2% |
| Status update unavailable | 60 | 5.1% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 37 | 3.1% |
| Local resolution | 25 | 2.1% |
| Court result unavailable | 13 | 1.1% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 9 | 0.8% |
| Offender given penalty notice | 3 | 0.3% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.2% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.1% |
Poplar, Tower Hamlets has an estimated population of 6,988. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Poplar, Tower Hamlets sits in decile 1.8, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Poplar, Tower Hamlets |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 21.3% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 73.7% |
| Aged 65 and over | 5.0% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 20.7% |
| Social rented homes | 45.2% |
| Private rented homes | 33.7% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 1.8 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 58.6% |
Is Poplar, Tower Hamlets a safe place to live?
Poplar, Tower Hamlets recorded 169.9 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 Poplar, Tower Hamlets?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 306 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (263).
Is crime in Poplar, Tower Hamlets going up or down?
Recorded crime in Poplar, Tower Hamlets was up 19% on the year before: 1,187 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,001 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Poplar, Tower Hamlets?
Poplar, Tower Hamlets 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 Poplar, Tower Hamlets. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.