Crime in Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown: statistics, rates and trends
613 crimes were recorded in Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown in the 12 months to August 2026, 60.2 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and down 6% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime map
- 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
- Demographics of Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown
- Questions about crime in Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown
- About this data
Crime map
Violence and sexual offences (201), vehicle crime (100) and anti-social behaviour (99) made up 65% of all recorded crime. Its crime rate ranks 2,609th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site (1 = highest), in the lower half.
| Measure | Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown | Croydon | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to August 2026 | 613 | 42,232 | 5,618,064 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 60.2 | 103.2 | 96.7 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -6% | -3% | -1% |
| Population | 10,177 | 409,342 | 58,127,638 |
Recorded crime in Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown peaked in the year to August 2025 (654 crimes) and was lowest in the year to August 2019 (437). Between the years to August 2018 and 2026 it rose 19%, while across England and Wales it fell 4%.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to August 2026 | 613 | 60.2 | 96.7 |
| Year to August 2025 | 654 | 64.3 | 97.2 |
| Year to August 2024 | 557 | 54.7 | 97.9 |
| Year to August 2023 | 634 | 62.3 | n/a |
| Year to August 2022 | 507 | 49.8 | 102.0 |
| Year to August 2021 | 522 | 51.3 | 101.4 |
| Year to August 2020 | 557 | 54.7 | 102.7 |
| Year to August 2019 | 437 | 42.9 | 101.7 |
| Year to August 2018 | 514 | 50.5 | 100.8 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 49 |
| 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 |
Compared with England and Wales, Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown recorded notably more vehicle crime (2.0 times the national rate) and burglary (36% above the national rate), and notably less criminal damage and arson (71% below) and public order (48% below). On the year before, vehicle crime rose from 66 to 100 and public order rose from 27 to 35, while drugs fell from 64 to 24 and criminal damage and arson fell from 32 to 20.
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 201 | 19.8 | 34.2 | +6% |
| Vehicle crime | 100 | 9.8 | 5.0 | +52% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 99 | 9.7 | 15.4 | -17% |
| Burglary | 49 | 4.8 | 3.6 | +4% |
| Other theft | 35 | 3.4 | 6.4 | -35% |
| Public order | 35 | 3.4 | 6.7 | +30% |
| Drugs | 24 | 2.4 | 3.3 | -62% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 20 | 2.0 | 6.7 | -38% |
| Robbery | 15 | 1.5 | 1.4 | n/a |
| Shoplifting | 13 | 1.3 | 8.5 | n/a |
| Other crime | 11 | 1.1 | 2.1 | n/a |
| Theft from the person | 5 | 0.5 | 1.7 | n/a |
| Bicycle theft | 3 | 0.3 | 0.8 | n/a |
| Possession of weapons | 3 | 0.3 | 1.0 | n/a |
What each category covers: crime categories.
6 of the 8 nearest neighbourhoods have a higher crime rate than Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown; the highest is Fairfield, Croydon (314.2 per 1,000) and the lowest Sanderstead (36.4).
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purley & Woodcote | 1,657 | 89.1 | +48% |
| South Croydon | 1,689 | 89.4 | +48% |
| Sanderstead | 536 | 36.4 | -40% |
| Kenley | 556 | 45.6 | -24% |
| Waddon | 2,392 | 124.4 | +106% |
| Selsdon & Addington Village | 781 | 71.1 | +18% |
| Park Hill & Whitgift | 1,222 | 138.6 | +130% |
| Fairfield | 5,539 | 314.2 | +422% |
The 10 locations below account for 42% of the crime recorded in Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown over the 12 months to August 2026; the most were recorded at “Brantwood Road” (44).
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Brantwood Road | 44 |
| On or near Haling Down Passage | 39 |
| On or near Christchurch Road | 30 |
| On or near Purley Park Road | 26 |
| On or near Parking Area | 23 |
| On or near Station Approach | 23 |
| On or near Mayfield Road | 20 |
| On or near The Close | 18 |
| On or near Glossop Road | 16 |
| On or near Montpelier Road | 16 |
Of the 514 crimes in Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown with a recorded outcome, 42% ended with the investigation complete and no suspect identified, against 35% across England and Wales; 1.8% were awaiting a court outcome (England and Wales: 5.2%). The 99 anti-social behaviour reports have no outcome and are left out.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 218 | 42.4% | 35.3% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 159 | 30.9% | 34.5% |
| Under investigation | 69 | 13.4% | 11.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 38 | 7.4% | 4.7% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 14 | 2.7% | 1.3% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 9 | 1.8% | 5.2% |
| Local resolution | 4 | 0.8% | 3.1% |
| Court result unavailable | 2 | 0.4% | 2.5% |
| Offender given a caution | 1 | 0.2% | 0.6% |
Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown has an estimated population of 10,177 (ONS, mid-2024). Compared with England and Wales it has less social housing (6.4%, against 17.1%), more residents with Level 4 qualifications or above (48%, against 34%) and fewer residents with no qualifications (11%, against 18%). On the England IoD 2025, the small areas (LSOAs) that make up Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown average decile 7.8 (1 = most deprived), less deprived than average.
| Measure | Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 19.5% | 18.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 16.5% | 18.9% |
| Residents 16+ in work | 64.1% | 57.2% |
| Residents 16+ unemployed | 4.0% | 3.4% |
| Residents 16+ retired | 18.2% | 21.6% |
| Residents 16+ who are students | 6.6% | 7.9% |
| Residents 16+ with Level 4 qualifications or above (degree, HND and similar) | 48.0% | 33.8% |
| Residents 16+ with no qualifications | 10.6% | 18.2% |
| Households with no car or van | 19.1% | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 72.1% | 62.5% |
| Social rented homes | 6.4% | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 21.5% | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 7.8 | 5.5 (England) |
Is Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown a safe place to live?
Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown recorded 60.2 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to August 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and ranks 2,609th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods on this site by crime rate (1 = highest). The categories most above the national rate were vehicle crime and burglary.
What is the most common crime in Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 201 reports in the 12 months to August 2026, followed by vehicle crime (100).
Is crime in Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown going up or down?
Recorded crime in Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown was down 6% on the year before: 613 crimes in the 12 months to August 2026 against 654 in the previous 12 months.
What is the population of Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown?
About 10,177 people (ONS mid-2024 estimate), 16% of them aged 65 or over (England and Wales: 19%).
Which police force covers Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown?
Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown is policed by Metropolitan Police.
Police-recorded crime from data.police.uk (September 2017 to August 2026), ONS population estimates and Census 2021. Definitions and limitations: methodology.