Crime in South Woodford: statistics, rates and trends
635 crimes were recorded in South Woodford in the 12 months to July 2026, 60.4 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 2% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in South Woodford at a glance
- Crime trends in South Woodford
- Types of crime in South Woodford
- South Woodford compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in South Woodford
- What happened after crimes were reported in South Woodford
- Population and deprivation in South Woodford
- Questions about crime in South Woodford
- About this data
635 crimes were recorded in South Woodford in the 12 months to July 2026, 60.4 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 2% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 135 reports (21% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, South Woodford has the 2,583rd highest crime rate.
| Measure | South Woodford | Redbridge | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 635 | 30,687 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 60.4 | 95.5 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -2% | +4% | -1% |
| Population | 10,520 | 321,231 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in South Woodford was highest in the year to July 2024 (789 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2022 (596). Over the whole period it fell 7%, 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 | 635 | 60.4 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 648 | 61.6 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 789 | 75.0 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 707 | 67.2 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 596 | 56.7 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 609 | 57.9 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 675 | 64.2 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 707 | 67.2 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 680 | 64.6 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 66 |
| June 2026 | 53 |
| May 2026 | 43 |
| April 2026 | 45 |
| March 2026 | 46 |
| February 2026 | 44 |
| January 2026 | 55 |
| December 2025 | 64 |
| November 2025 | 41 |
| October 2025 | 53 |
| September 2025 | 52 |
| August 2025 | 73 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in South Woodford 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, burglary, robbery.
The largest increases were in burglary (+38%) and public order (+30%). The largest falls were in criminal damage and arson (-69%) and vehicle crime (-28%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 135 | 12.8 | 0.37 | +5% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 131 | 12.5 | 0.81 | +28% |
| Vehicle crime | 96 | 9.1 | 1.85 | -28% |
| Other theft | 56 | 5.3 | 0.83 | -20% |
| Burglary | 54 | 5.1 | 1.45 | +38% |
| Shoplifting | 49 | 4.7 | 0.56 | +172% |
| Public order | 30 | 2.9 | 0.43 | +30% |
| Drugs | 27 | 2.6 | 0.79 | -23% |
| Robbery | 20 | 1.9 | 1.41 | -5% |
| Theft from the person | 17 | 1.6 | 0.96 | -26% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 11 | 1.0 | 0.15 | -69% |
| Other crime | 4 | 0.4 | 0.18 | -43% |
| Possession of weapons | 4 | 0.4 | 0.39 | +0% |
| Bicycle theft | 1 | 0.1 | 0.12 | -86% |
Violence and sexual offences in South Woodford
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. South Woodford recorded 135 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 21.3% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in South Woodford
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. South Woodford recorded 131 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 28% on the year before. It made up 20.6% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in South Woodford
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. South Woodford recorded 96 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 28% on the year before. It made up 15.1% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in South Woodford
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. South Woodford recorded 56 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 8.8% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in South Woodford
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. South Woodford recorded 54 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 38% on the year before. It made up 8.5% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in South Woodford
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. South Woodford recorded 49 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 172% on the year before. It made up 7.7% of all crime in the area.
Public order in South Woodford
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. South Woodford recorded 30 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 30% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in South Woodford
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. South Woodford recorded 27 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 4.3% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in South Woodford
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. South Woodford recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in South Woodford
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. South Woodford recorded 17 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in South Woodford
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. South Woodford recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 69% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in South Woodford
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. South Woodford recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 43% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in South Woodford
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. South Woodford 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 almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in South Woodford
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. South Woodford 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 86% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to South Woodford, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to South Woodford.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs South Woodford |
|---|---|---|---|
| Churchfields | 1,472 | 82.8 | +37% |
| Wanstead Village | 1,325 | 100.1 | +66% |
| Clayhall | 1,013 | 69.8 | +16% |
| Bridge | 737 | 61.2 | +1% |
| Monkhams | 438 | 47.5 | -21% |
| Wanstead Park | 538 | 70.2 | +16% |
| Fullwell | 1,181 | 71.6 | +19% |
| Cranbrook | 1,275 | 90.9 | +51% |
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 Woodford over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 58 |
| On or near George Lane | 50 |
| On or near Onslow Gardens | 28 |
| On or near The Drive | 26 |
| On or near Albert Road | 22 |
| On or near High View Road | 20 |
| On or near Station Approach | 20 |
| On or near Parking Area | 19 |
| On or near Orford Road | 18 |
| On or near South Woodford | 16 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in South Woodford 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 | 290 | 45.7% |
| Not recorded | 131 | 20.6% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 126 | 19.8% |
| Under investigation | 43 | 6.8% |
| Status update unavailable | 18 | 2.8% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 12 | 1.9% |
| Local resolution | 6 | 0.9% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 5 | 0.8% |
| Court result unavailable | 2 | 0.3% |
| Offender given penalty notice | 1 | 0.2% |
| Offender given a caution | 1 | 0.2% |
South Woodford has an estimated population of 10,520. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in South Woodford sits in decile 8.1, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | South Woodford |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 19.7% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 64.4% |
| Aged 65 and over | 15.9% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 66.2% |
| Social rented homes | 5.1% |
| Private rented homes | 28.5% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 8.1 |
Is South Woodford a safe place to live?
South Woodford recorded 60.4 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, lower 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 South Woodford?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 135 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (131).
Is crime in South Woodford going up or down?
Recorded crime in South Woodford was down 2% on the year before: 635 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 648 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers South Woodford?
South Woodford 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 Woodford. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.