Crime in Soho and Victoria: statistics, rates and trends
2,929 crimes were recorded in Soho and Victoria in the 12 months to July 2026, 139.0 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 12% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Soho and Victoria at a glance
- Crime trends in Soho and Victoria
- Types of crime in Soho and Victoria
- Soho and Victoria compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Soho and Victoria
- What happened after crimes were reported in Soho and Victoria
- Population and deprivation in Soho and Victoria
- Questions about crime in Soho and Victoria
- About this data
2,929 crimes were recorded in Soho and Victoria in the 12 months to July 2026, 139.0 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 12% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 1,372 reports (47% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Soho and Victoria has the 544th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Soho and Victoria | Sandwell | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 2,929 | 36,124 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 139.0 | 102.1 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +12% | -2% | -1% |
| Population | 21,070 | 353,860 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Soho and Victoria was highest in the year to July 2026 (2,929 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (1,906). Over the whole period it rose 54%, 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 | 2,929 | 139.0 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 2,625 | 124.6 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 2,513 | 119.3 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 2,775 | 131.7 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 2,681 | 127.2 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 2,618 | 124.3 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 2,107 | 100.0 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 2,281 | 108.3 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,906 | 90.5 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 313 |
| June 2026 | 292 |
| May 2026 | 252 |
| April 2026 | 238 |
| March 2026 | 233 |
| February 2026 | 233 |
| January 2026 | 208 |
| December 2025 | 218 |
| November 2025 | 250 |
| October 2025 | 226 |
| September 2025 | 220 |
| August 2025 | 246 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Soho and Victoria 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, public order, criminal damage and arson.
The largest increases were in shoplifting (+67%) and drugs (+50%). The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-43%) and other crime (-24%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 1,372 | 65.1 | 1.90 | +12% |
| Public order | 238 | 11.3 | 1.70 | +48% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 214 | 10.2 | 1.50 | +4% |
| Vehicle crime | 209 | 9.9 | 2.01 | +10% |
| Other theft | 190 | 9.0 | 1.41 | +27% |
| Shoplifting | 165 | 7.8 | 0.95 | +67% |
| Drugs | 138 | 6.5 | 2.00 | +50% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 128 | 6.1 | 0.40 | -43% |
| Burglary | 78 | 3.7 | 1.05 | -10% |
| Possession of weapons | 71 | 3.4 | 3.47 | +25% |
| Robbery | 54 | 2.6 | 1.90 | -4% |
| Other crime | 35 | 1.7 | 0.79 | -24% |
| Theft from the person | 26 | 1.2 | 0.73 | -7% |
| Bicycle theft | 11 | 0.5 | 0.63 | +120% |
Violence and sexual offences in Soho and Victoria
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Soho and Victoria recorded 1,372 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (65.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 46.8% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Soho and Victoria
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Soho and Victoria recorded 238 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 48% on the year before. It made up 8.1% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Soho and Victoria
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Soho and Victoria recorded 214 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 7.3% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Soho and Victoria
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Soho and Victoria recorded 209 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 10% on the year before. It made up 7.1% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Soho and Victoria
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Soho and Victoria recorded 190 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 27% on the year before. It made up 6.5% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Soho and Victoria
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Soho and Victoria recorded 165 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 67% on the year before. It made up 5.6% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Soho and Victoria
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Soho and Victoria recorded 138 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 50% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Soho and Victoria
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Soho and Victoria recorded 128 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 43% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Soho and Victoria
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Soho and Victoria recorded 78 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Soho and Victoria
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Soho and Victoria recorded 71 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 25% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Soho and Victoria
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Soho and Victoria recorded 54 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Soho and Victoria
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Soho and Victoria recorded 35 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 24% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Soho and Victoria
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Soho and Victoria recorded 26 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Soho and Victoria
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Soho and Victoria recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 120% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Soho and Victoria, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Soho and Victoria.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Soho and Victoria |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smethwick | 1,209 | 81.3 | -42% |
| Abbey | 1,200 | 95.2 | -32% |
| St Pauls | 1,859 | 92.8 | -33% |
| Bristnall | 1,106 | 80.6 | -42% |
| Old Warley | 794 | 66.1 | -52% |
| West Bromwich Central | 3,504 | 203.2 | +46% |
| Langley | 1,694 | 110.3 | -21% |
| Greets Green and Lyng | 2,268 | 139.9 | +1% |
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 Soho and Victoria over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near London Street | 438 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 135 |
| On or near Cranford Street | 132 |
| On or near A4092 | 110 |
| On or near Parking Area | 76 |
| On or near Grove Lane | 63 |
| On or near Corbett Street | 62 |
| On or near Florence Road | 55 |
| On or near B4136 | 52 |
| On or near Barrett Street | 48 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Soho and Victoria 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 1,195 | 40.8% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 803 | 27.4% |
| Under investigation | 236 | 8.1% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 205 | 7.0% |
| Local resolution | 153 | 5.2% |
| Not recorded | 128 | 4.4% |
| Court result unavailable | 100 | 3.4% |
| Status update unavailable | 60 | 2.0% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 26 | 0.9% |
| Offender given a caution | 20 | 0.7% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.1% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.0% |
Soho and Victoria has an estimated population of 21,070. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Soho and Victoria sits in decile 1.8, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Soho and Victoria |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 26.6% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 66.2% |
| Aged 65 and over | 7.1% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 36.5% |
| Social rented homes | 31.1% |
| Private rented homes | 31.2% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 1.8 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 36.5% |
Is Soho and Victoria a safe place to live?
Soho and Victoria recorded 139.0 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 Soho and Victoria?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 1,372 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by public order (238).
Is crime in Soho and Victoria going up or down?
Recorded crime in Soho and Victoria was up 12% on the year before: 2,929 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 2,625 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Soho and Victoria?
Soho and Victoria is policed by West Midlands. 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 Soho and Victoria. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.