Crime in South Hornchurch: statistics, rates and trends

745 crimes were recorded in South Hornchurch in the 12 months to July 2026, 79.3 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 18% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 236 reports (32% of the total).

Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, South Hornchurch has the 1,871st highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in South Hornchurch was highest in the year to July 2026 (745 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2020 (583). Over the whole period it rose 9%, 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.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in South Hornchurch 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 drugs (+48%) and violence and sexual offences (+39%). The largest falls were in public order (-24%) and anti-social behaviour (-16%).

Violence and sexual offences in South Hornchurch

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. South Hornchurch recorded 236 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (25.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 39% on the year before. It made up 31.7% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in South Hornchurch

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. South Hornchurch recorded 158 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (16.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 21.2% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in South Hornchurch

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. South Hornchurch recorded 77 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 10.3% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in South Hornchurch

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. South Hornchurch recorded 43 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 153% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in South Hornchurch

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. South Hornchurch recorded 39 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 5.2% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in South Hornchurch

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. South Hornchurch recorded 37 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 48% on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in South Hornchurch

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. South Hornchurch recorded 37 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 131% on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in South Hornchurch

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. South Hornchurch recorded 33 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 22% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in South Hornchurch

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. South Hornchurch recorded 30 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 200% on the year before. It made up 4.0% of all crime in the area.

Public order in South Hornchurch

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. South Hornchurch recorded 25 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 24% on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in South Hornchurch

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. South Hornchurch recorded 15 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 15% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in South Hornchurch

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. South Hornchurch recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 43% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in South Hornchurch

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. South Hornchurch recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in South Hornchurch

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. South Hornchurch recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 80% on the year before. It made up 0.1% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to South Hornchurch, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to South Hornchurch.

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 Hornchurch over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in South Hornchurch 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.

South Hornchurch has an estimated population of 9,398. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in South Hornchurch sits in decile 5.6, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

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 Hornchurch. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.