Crime in Purley & Woodcote: statistics, rates and trends
1,668 crimes were recorded in Purley & Woodcote in the 12 months to July 2026, 89.6 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and almost unchanged on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Purley & Woodcote at a glance
- Crime trends in Purley & Woodcote
- Types of crime in Purley & Woodcote
- Purley & Woodcote compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Purley & Woodcote
- What happened after crimes were reported in Purley & Woodcote
- Population and deprivation in Purley & Woodcote
- Questions about crime in Purley & Woodcote
- About this data
1,668 crimes were recorded in Purley & Woodcote in the 12 months to July 2026, 89.6 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 515 reports (31% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Purley & Woodcote has the 1,510th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Purley & Woodcote | Croydon | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,668 | 42,591 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 89.6 | 104.0 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -0% | -3% | -1% |
| Population | 18,607 | 409,342 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Purley & Woodcote was highest in the year to July 2025 (1,674 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (1,385). Over the whole period it rose 20%, 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 | 1,668 | 89.6 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,674 | 90.0 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,461 | 78.5 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,559 | 83.8 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,624 | 87.3 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,654 | 88.9 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,637 | 88.0 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,546 | 83.1 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,385 | 74.4 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 179 |
| June 2026 | 172 |
| May 2026 | 130 |
| April 2026 | 122 |
| March 2026 | 163 |
| February 2026 | 154 |
| January 2026 | 130 |
| December 2025 | 120 |
| November 2025 | 93 |
| October 2025 | 129 |
| September 2025 | 126 |
| August 2025 | 150 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Purley & Woodcote 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, robbery.
The largest increases were in robbery (+69%) and vehicle crime (+30%). The largest falls were in criminal damage and arson (-40%) and drugs (-32%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 515 | 27.7 | 0.81 | +3% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 319 | 17.1 | 1.12 | -3% |
| Vehicle crime | 184 | 9.9 | 2.01 | +30% |
| Other theft | 116 | 6.2 | 0.97 | +0% |
| Public order | 101 | 5.4 | 0.82 | +6% |
| Shoplifting | 101 | 5.4 | 0.66 | +23% |
| Burglary | 77 | 4.1 | 1.17 | -30% |
| Drugs | 69 | 3.7 | 1.13 | -32% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 66 | 3.5 | 0.52 | -40% |
| Robbery | 61 | 3.3 | 2.43 | +69% |
| Theft from the person | 24 | 1.3 | 0.76 | -8% |
| Other crime | 19 | 1.0 | 0.48 | -14% |
| Possession of weapons | 11 | 0.6 | 0.61 | +267% |
| Bicycle theft | 5 | 0.3 | 0.33 | +400% |
Violence and sexual offences in Purley & Woodcote
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Purley & Woodcote recorded 515 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (27.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 30.9% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Purley & Woodcote
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Purley & Woodcote recorded 319 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 19.1% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Purley & Woodcote
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Purley & Woodcote recorded 184 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 30% on the year before. It made up 11.0% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Purley & Woodcote
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Purley & Woodcote recorded 116 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 7.0% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Purley & Woodcote
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Purley & Woodcote recorded 101 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Purley & Woodcote
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Purley & Woodcote recorded 101 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 23% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Purley & Woodcote
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Purley & Woodcote recorded 77 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 30% on the year before. It made up 4.6% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Purley & Woodcote
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Purley & Woodcote recorded 69 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 32% on the year before. It made up 4.1% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Purley & Woodcote
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Purley & Woodcote recorded 66 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 40% on the year before. It made up 4.0% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Purley & Woodcote
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Purley & Woodcote recorded 61 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 69% on the year before. It made up 3.7% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Purley & Woodcote
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Purley & Woodcote recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Purley & Woodcote
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Purley & Woodcote recorded 19 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 14% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Purley & Woodcote
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Purley & Woodcote recorded 11 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 up 267% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Purley & Woodcote
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Purley & Woodcote recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 400% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Purley & Woodcote, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Purley & Woodcote.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Purley & Woodcote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown | 604 | 59.3 | -34% |
| Kenley | 573 | 47.0 | -48% |
| Coulsdon Town | 895 | 64.3 | -28% |
| Sanderstead | 530 | 36.0 | -60% |
| Old Coulsdon | 626 | 56.3 | -37% |
| South Croydon | 1,691 | 89.5 | -0% |
| Waddon | 2,411 | 125.3 | +40% |
| Fairfield | 5,568 | 315.9 | +252% |
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 & Woodcote over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 128 |
| On or near Supermarket | 123 |
| On or near Kimberley Place | 73 |
| On or near Russell Hill Place | 60 |
| On or near Banstead Road | 54 |
| On or near Purley Road | 51 |
| On or near High Street | 47 |
| On or near Sydney Avenue | 45 |
| On or near Station Approach | 38 |
| On or near Coldharbour Lane | 25 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Purley & Woodcote 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 | 544 | 32.6% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 401 | 24.0% |
| Not recorded | 319 | 19.1% |
| Under investigation | 213 | 12.8% |
| Status update unavailable | 91 | 5.5% |
| Local resolution | 31 | 1.9% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 24 | 1.4% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 23 | 1.4% |
| Court result unavailable | 14 | 0.8% |
| Offender given penalty notice | 7 | 0.4% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.1% |
Purley & Woodcote has an estimated population of 18,607. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Purley & Woodcote sits in decile 6.8, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Purley & Woodcote |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 18.7% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 61.9% |
| Aged 65 and over | 19.4% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 69.5% |
| Social rented homes | 10.9% |
| Private rented homes | 19.5% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.8 |
Is Purley & Woodcote a safe place to live?
Purley & Woodcote recorded 89.6 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 Purley & Woodcote?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 515 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (319).
Is crime in Purley & Woodcote going up or down?
Recorded crime in Purley & Woodcote was almost unchanged on the year before: 1,668 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,674 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Purley & Woodcote?
Purley & Woodcote 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 & Woodcote. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.