Crime in South Croydon: statistics, rates and trends
1,691 crimes were recorded in South Croydon in the 12 months to July 2026, 89.5 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 5% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in South Croydon at a glance
- Crime trends in South Croydon
- Types of crime in South Croydon
- South Croydon compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in South Croydon
- What happened after crimes were reported in South Croydon
- Population and deprivation in South Croydon
- Questions about crime in South Croydon
- About this data
1,691 crimes were recorded in South Croydon in the 12 months to July 2026, 89.5 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 5% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 497 reports (29% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, South Croydon has the 1,514th highest crime rate.
| Measure | South Croydon | Croydon | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,691 | 42,591 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 89.5 | 104.0 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +5% | -3% | -1% |
| Population | 18,884 | 409,342 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in South Croydon was highest in the year to July 2021 (1,723 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (1,254). Over the whole period it rose 35%, 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 | 1,691 | 89.5 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,614 | 85.5 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,372 | 72.7 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,497 | 79.3 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,680 | 89.0 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,723 | 91.2 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,671 | 88.5 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,508 | 79.9 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,254 | 66.4 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 161 |
| June 2026 | 149 |
| May 2026 | 135 |
| April 2026 | 139 |
| March 2026 | 149 |
| February 2026 | 120 |
| January 2026 | 120 |
| December 2025 | 131 |
| November 2025 | 114 |
| October 2025 | 188 |
| September 2025 | 129 |
| August 2025 | 156 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in South Croydon 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, drugs.
The largest increases were in public order (+38%) and criminal damage and arson (+32%). The largest falls were in drugs (-73%) and burglary (-15%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 497 | 26.3 | 0.77 | +9% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 339 | 18.0 | 1.17 | +20% |
| Vehicle crime | 178 | 9.4 | 1.91 | +23% |
| Shoplifting | 117 | 6.2 | 0.75 | +1070% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 115 | 6.1 | 0.90 | +32% |
| Other theft | 103 | 5.5 | 0.85 | -1% |
| Public order | 94 | 5.0 | 0.75 | +38% |
| Drugs | 80 | 4.2 | 1.30 | -73% |
| Burglary | 79 | 4.2 | 1.18 | -15% |
| Other crime | 31 | 1.6 | 0.78 | +24% |
| Robbery | 22 | 1.2 | 0.86 | -8% |
| Theft from the person | 18 | 1.0 | 0.56 | +20% |
| Possession of weapons | 14 | 0.7 | 0.76 | +75% |
| Bicycle theft | 4 | 0.2 | 0.26 | -43% |
Violence and sexual offences in South Croydon
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. South Croydon recorded 497 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (26.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 29.4% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in South Croydon
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. South Croydon recorded 339 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (18.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 20% on the year before. It made up 20.0% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in South Croydon
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. South Croydon recorded 178 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 23% on the year before. It made up 10.5% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in South Croydon
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. South Croydon recorded 117 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 1070% on the year before. It made up 6.9% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in South Croydon
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. South Croydon recorded 115 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 32% on the year before. It made up 6.8% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in South Croydon
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. South Croydon recorded 103 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.
Public order in South Croydon
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. South Croydon recorded 94 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 38% on the year before. It made up 5.6% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in South Croydon
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. South Croydon recorded 80 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 73% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in South Croydon
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. South Croydon recorded 79 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in South Croydon
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. South Croydon recorded 31 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 24% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in South Croydon
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. South Croydon recorded 22 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in South Croydon
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. South Croydon recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 20% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in South Croydon
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. South Croydon recorded 14 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 75% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in South Croydon
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. South Croydon recorded 4 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 43% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to South Croydon, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to South Croydon.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs South Croydon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waddon | 2,411 | 125.3 | +40% |
| Park Hill & Whitgift | 1,235 | 140.1 | +56% |
| Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown | 604 | 59.3 | -34% |
| Fairfield | 5,568 | 315.9 | +253% |
| Addiscombe West | 1,636 | 95.0 | +6% |
| Sanderstead | 530 | 36.0 | -60% |
| Selsdon & Addington Village | 761 | 69.3 | -23% |
| Broad Green | 3,895 | 177.5 | +98% |
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 South Croydon over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Junction Road | 155 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 81 |
| On or near Eden Road | 63 |
| On or near Temple Road | 62 |
| On or near Bartlett Street | 43 |
| On or near Drovers Road | 38 |
| On or near Churchill Road | 31 |
| On or near Croham Road | 31 |
| On or near Parking Area | 29 |
| On or near Blunt Road | 28 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in South Croydon 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 | 559 | 33.1% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 362 | 21.4% |
| Not recorded | 339 | 20.0% |
| Under investigation | 199 | 11.8% |
| Status update unavailable | 97 | 5.7% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 58 | 3.4% |
| Local resolution | 27 | 1.6% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 23 | 1.4% |
| Court result unavailable | 15 | 0.9% |
| Offender given penalty notice | 5 | 0.3% |
| Offender given a caution | 5 | 0.3% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.1% |
South Croydon has an estimated population of 18,884. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in South Croydon sits in decile 5.3, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | South Croydon |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 20.1% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 68.6% |
| Aged 65 and over | 11.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 52.8% |
| Social rented homes | 12.1% |
| Private rented homes | 34.9% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.3 |
Is South Croydon a safe place to live?
South Croydon recorded 89.5 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 South Croydon?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 497 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (339).
Is crime in South Croydon going up or down?
Recorded crime in South Croydon was up 5% on the year before: 1,691 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,614 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers South Croydon?
South Croydon 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 South Croydon. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.