Crime in Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown: statistics, rates and trends
604 crimes were recorded in Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown in the 12 months to July 2026, 59.3 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 7% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown at a glance
- Crime trends in Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown
- Types of crime in Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown
- Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown
- What happened after crimes were reported in Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown
- Population and deprivation in Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown
- Questions about crime in Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown
- About this data
604 crimes were recorded in Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown in the 12 months to July 2026, 59.3 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than 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 193 reports (32% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown has the 2,624th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown | Croydon | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 604 | 42,591 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 59.3 | 104.0 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -7% | -3% | -1% |
| Population | 10,177 | 409,342 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown was highest in the year to July 2025 (646 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2019 (450). 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 | 604 | 59.3 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 646 | 63.5 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 589 | 57.9 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 630 | 61.9 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 494 | 48.5 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 507 | 49.8 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 560 | 55.0 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 450 | 44.2 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 496 | 48.7 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 65 |
| June 2026 | 63 |
| May 2026 | 42 |
| April 2026 | 39 |
| March 2026 | 57 |
| February 2026 | 38 |
| January 2026 | 53 |
| December 2025 | 48 |
| November 2025 | 47 |
| October 2025 | 63 |
| September 2025 | 49 |
| August 2025 | 40 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown 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 vehicle crime, burglary.
The largest increases were in vehicle crime (+39%) and public order (+29%). The largest falls were in drugs (-65%) and criminal damage and arson (-31%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 193 | 19.0 | 0.55 | +2% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 101 | 9.9 | 0.65 | -14% |
| Vehicle crime | 93 | 9.1 | 1.86 | +39% |
| Burglary | 50 | 4.9 | 1.39 | +11% |
| Other theft | 37 | 3.6 | 0.57 | -24% |
| Public order | 36 | 3.5 | 0.53 | +29% |
| Drugs | 23 | 2.3 | 0.69 | -65% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 22 | 2.2 | 0.32 | -31% |
| Robbery | 16 | 1.6 | 1.16 | +60% |
| Shoplifting | 13 | 1.3 | 0.15 | -7% |
| Other crime | 9 | 0.9 | 0.42 | -44% |
| Theft from the person | 7 | 0.7 | 0.41 | +17% |
| Bicycle theft | 2 | 0.2 | 0.24 | -33% |
| Possession of weapons | 2 | 0.2 | 0.20 | -33% |
Violence and sexual offences in Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown recorded 193 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (19.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 32.0% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown recorded 101 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 16.7% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown recorded 93 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 39% on the year before. It made up 15.4% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown recorded 50 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 8.3% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown recorded 37 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 24% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown recorded 36 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 29% on the year before. It made up 6.0% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown recorded 23 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 65% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown recorded 22 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 31% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown recorded 16 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 60% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown recorded 13 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 44% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown 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 down 33% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purley & Woodcote | 1,668 | 89.6 | +51% |
| South Croydon | 1,691 | 89.5 | +51% |
| Sanderstead | 530 | 36.0 | -39% |
| Kenley | 573 | 47.0 | -21% |
| Waddon | 2,411 | 125.3 | +111% |
| Selsdon & Addington Village | 761 | 69.3 | +17% |
| Park Hill & Whitgift | 1,235 | 140.1 | +136% |
| Fairfield | 5,568 | 315.9 | +432% |
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 Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Brantwood Road | 45 |
| On or near Haling Down Passage | 37 |
| On or near Christchurch Road | 33 |
| On or near Purley Park Road | 26 |
| On or near Mayfield Road | 22 |
| On or near Parking Area | 22 |
| On or near Station Approach | 22 |
| On or near The Close | 18 |
| On or near Glossop Road | 17 |
| On or near Montpelier Road | 17 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown 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 | 213 | 35.3% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 152 | 25.2% |
| Not recorded | 101 | 16.7% |
| Under investigation | 77 | 12.7% |
| Status update unavailable | 34 | 5.6% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 13 | 2.2% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 9 | 1.5% |
| Local resolution | 3 | 0.5% |
| Court result unavailable | 1 | 0.2% |
| Offender given a caution | 1 | 0.2% |
Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown has an estimated population of 10,177. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown sits in decile 7.8, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 19.5% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 64.0% |
| Aged 65 and over | 16.5% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 72.1% |
| Social rented homes | 6.4% |
| Private rented homes | 21.5% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 7.8 |
Is Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown a safe place to live?
Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown recorded 59.3 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, lower 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 Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 193 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (101).
Is crime in Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown going up or down?
Recorded crime in Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown was down 7% on the year before: 604 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 646 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown?
Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown 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 Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.