Crime in South Norwood: statistics, rates and trends
1,986 crimes were recorded in South Norwood in the 12 months to July 2026, 105.7 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 4% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in South Norwood at a glance
- Crime trends in South Norwood
- Types of crime in South Norwood
- South Norwood compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in South Norwood
- What happened after crimes were reported in South Norwood
- Population and deprivation in South Norwood
- Questions about crime in South Norwood
- About this data
1,986 crimes were recorded in South Norwood in the 12 months to July 2026, 105.7 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 4% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 639 reports (32% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, South Norwood has the 1,102nd highest crime rate.
| Measure | South Norwood | Croydon | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,986 | 42,591 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 105.7 | 104.0 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -4% | -3% | -1% |
| Population | 18,794 | 409,342 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in South Norwood was highest in the year to July 2020 (2,364 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (1,986). Over the whole period it fell 0%, 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 | 1,986 | 105.7 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 2,062 | 109.7 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 2,008 | 106.8 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 2,168 | 115.4 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 2,083 | 110.8 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 2,137 | 113.7 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 2,364 | 125.8 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 2,058 | 109.5 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,991 | 105.9 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 169 |
| June 2026 | 154 |
| May 2026 | 191 |
| April 2026 | 161 |
| March 2026 | 158 |
| February 2026 | 166 |
| January 2026 | 154 |
| December 2025 | 170 |
| November 2025 | 163 |
| October 2025 | 162 |
| September 2025 | 174 |
| August 2025 | 164 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in South Norwood 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 anti-social behaviour, vehicle crime, drugs.
The largest increases were in shoplifting (+83%) and theft from the person (+41%). The largest falls were in criminal damage and arson (-50%) and drugs (-44%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 639 | 34.0 | 0.99 | +0% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 362 | 19.3 | 1.26 | -12% |
| Vehicle crime | 199 | 10.6 | 2.15 | +3% |
| Shoplifting | 161 | 8.6 | 1.03 | +83% |
| Other theft | 145 | 7.7 | 1.21 | +9% |
| Public order | 108 | 5.7 | 0.86 | +19% |
| Drugs | 86 | 4.6 | 1.40 | -44% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 77 | 4.1 | 0.60 | -50% |
| Burglary | 66 | 3.5 | 0.99 | -12% |
| Robbery | 49 | 2.6 | 1.93 | -9% |
| Theft from the person | 38 | 2.0 | 1.20 | +41% |
| Other crime | 25 | 1.3 | 0.63 | -17% |
| Possession of weapons | 22 | 1.2 | 1.21 | +340% |
| Bicycle theft | 9 | 0.5 | 0.58 | +0% |
Violence and sexual offences in South Norwood
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. South Norwood recorded 639 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (34.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 32.2% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in South Norwood
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. South Norwood recorded 362 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (19.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 18.2% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in South Norwood
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. South Norwood recorded 199 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 10.0% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in South Norwood
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. South Norwood recorded 161 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 83% on the year before. It made up 8.1% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in South Norwood
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. South Norwood recorded 145 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 7.3% of all crime in the area.
Public order in South Norwood
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. South Norwood recorded 108 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 5.4% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in South Norwood
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. South Norwood recorded 86 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 44% on the year before. It made up 4.3% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in South Norwood
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. South Norwood recorded 77 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 50% on the year before. It made up 3.9% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in South Norwood
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. South Norwood recorded 66 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 down 12% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in South Norwood
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. South Norwood recorded 49 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 9% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in South Norwood
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. South Norwood recorded 38 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 41% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in South Norwood
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. South Norwood recorded 25 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in South Norwood
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. South Norwood recorded 22 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 340% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in South Norwood
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. South Norwood recorded 9 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 almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to South Norwood, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to South Norwood.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs South Norwood |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woodside | 1,566 | 90.4 | -14% |
| Thornton Heath | 1,959 | 108.0 | +2% |
| Selhurst | 1,729 | 144.2 | +36% |
| Bensham Manor | 1,534 | 85.7 | -19% |
| Crystal Palace & Upper Norwood | 1,368 | 80.1 | -24% |
| Addiscombe West | 1,636 | 95.0 | -10% |
| Addiscombe East | 1,107 | 92.3 | -13% |
| Norbury Park | 604 | 64.2 | -39% |
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 Norwood over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 224 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 58 |
| On or near A213 | 50 |
| On or near Belgrave Road | 43 |
| On or near Broxholme Close | 42 |
| On or near Selhurst | 39 |
| On or near Wooderson Close | 38 |
| On or near Howden Road | 35 |
| On or near King'S Road | 33 |
| On or near Cargreen Road | 32 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in South Norwood 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 | 696 | 35.0% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 459 | 23.1% |
| Not recorded | 362 | 18.2% |
| Under investigation | 227 | 11.4% |
| Status update unavailable | 109 | 5.5% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 52 | 2.6% |
| Local resolution | 36 | 1.8% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 21 | 1.1% |
| Offender given penalty notice | 9 | 0.5% |
| Court result unavailable | 9 | 0.5% |
| Offender given a caution | 4 | 0.2% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.1% |
South Norwood has an estimated population of 18,794. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in South Norwood sits in decile 3.4, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | South Norwood |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 19.5% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 69.1% |
| Aged 65 and over | 11.4% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 43.3% |
| Social rented homes | 21.7% |
| Private rented homes | 34.8% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 3.4 |
Is South Norwood a safe place to live?
South Norwood recorded 105.7 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 Norwood?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 639 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (362).
Is crime in South Norwood going up or down?
Recorded crime in South Norwood was down 4% on the year before: 1,986 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 2,062 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers South Norwood?
South Norwood 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 Norwood. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.