Crime in St James, Waltham Forest: statistics, rates and trends
1,423 crimes were recorded in St James, Waltham Forest in the 12 months to July 2026, 91.6 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 12% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in St James, Waltham Forest at a glance
- Crime trends in St James, Waltham Forest
- Types of crime in St James, Waltham Forest
- St James, Waltham Forest compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in St James, Waltham Forest
- What happened after crimes were reported in St James, Waltham Forest
- Population and deprivation in St James, Waltham Forest
- Questions about crime in St James, Waltham Forest
- About this data
1,423 crimes were recorded in St James, Waltham Forest in the 12 months to July 2026, 91.6 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 12% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 360 reports (25% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, St James, Waltham Forest has the 1,446th highest crime rate.
| Measure | St James, Waltham Forest | Waltham Forest | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,423 | 29,474 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 91.6 | 105.4 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -12% | -5% | -1% |
| Population | 15,540 | 279,737 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in St James, Waltham Forest was highest in the year to July 2024 (1,703 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2022 (1,026). Over the whole period it rose 13%, 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 | 1,423 | 91.6 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,612 | 103.7 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,703 | 109.6 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,100 | 70.8 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,026 | 66.0 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,335 | 85.9 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,468 | 94.5 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,204 | 77.5 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,254 | 80.7 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 101 |
| June 2026 | 149 |
| May 2026 | 92 |
| April 2026 | 103 |
| March 2026 | 96 |
| February 2026 | 103 |
| January 2026 | 99 |
| December 2025 | 108 |
| November 2025 | 128 |
| October 2025 | 134 |
| September 2025 | 148 |
| August 2025 | 162 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in St James, Waltham Forest 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, other theft, bicycle theft.
The largest increases were in bicycle theft (+29%) and violence and sexual offences (+24%). The largest falls were in theft from the person (-74%) and vehicle crime (-40%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 360 | 23.2 | 0.68 | +24% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 347 | 22.3 | 1.46 | +5% |
| Other theft | 136 | 8.8 | 1.37 | -4% |
| Shoplifting | 114 | 7.3 | 0.89 | -19% |
| Bicycle theft | 85 | 5.5 | 6.65 | +29% |
| Vehicle crime | 71 | 4.6 | 0.93 | -40% |
| Burglary | 60 | 3.9 | 1.09 | +7% |
| Drugs | 59 | 3.8 | 1.16 | -16% |
| Public order | 52 | 3.3 | 0.50 | -20% |
| Theft from the person | 51 | 3.3 | 1.94 | -74% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 43 | 2.8 | 0.41 | -38% |
| Robbery | 30 | 1.9 | 1.43 | -30% |
| Other crime | 10 | 0.6 | 0.30 | -44% |
| Possession of weapons | 5 | 0.3 | 0.33 | -17% |
Violence and sexual offences in St James, Waltham Forest
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. St James, Waltham Forest recorded 360 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (23.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 24% on the year before. It made up 25.3% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in St James, Waltham Forest
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. St James, Waltham Forest recorded 347 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (22.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 24.4% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in St James, Waltham Forest
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. St James, Waltham Forest recorded 136 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 9.6% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in St James, Waltham Forest
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. St James, Waltham Forest recorded 114 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 8.0% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in St James, Waltham Forest
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. St James, Waltham Forest recorded 85 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 29% on the year before. It made up 6.0% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in St James, Waltham Forest
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. St James, Waltham Forest recorded 71 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 40% on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in St James, Waltham Forest
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. St James, Waltham Forest recorded 60 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in St James, Waltham Forest
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. St James, Waltham Forest recorded 59 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 4.1% of all crime in the area.
Public order in St James, Waltham Forest
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. St James, Waltham Forest recorded 52 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 3.7% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in St James, Waltham Forest
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. St James, Waltham Forest recorded 51 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 74% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in St James, Waltham Forest
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. St James, Waltham Forest recorded 43 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 38% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in St James, Waltham Forest
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. St James, Waltham Forest recorded 30 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 30% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in St James, Waltham Forest
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. St James, Waltham Forest recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 44% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in St James, Waltham Forest
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. St James, Waltham Forest recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to St James, Waltham Forest, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to St James, Waltham Forest.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs St James, Waltham Forest |
|---|---|---|---|
| High Street | 2,548 | 235.7 | +157% |
| Markhouse | 623 | 78.6 | -14% |
| William Morris | 1,170 | 83.6 | -9% |
| Lea Bridge | 2,449 | 140.2 | +53% |
| Higham Hill | 1,260 | 81.6 | -11% |
| Hoe Street | 1,658 | 116.6 | +27% |
| Wood Street | 1,161 | 105.9 | +16% |
| Chapel End | 1,131 | 90.1 | -2% |
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 St James, Waltham Forest over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 161 |
| On or near Parking Area | 141 |
| On or near Blackhorse Road | 111 |
| On or near Champness Close | 57 |
| On or near Haroldstone Road | 52 |
| On or near Tenby Road | 44 |
| On or near Essex Close | 36 |
| On or near Maude Road | 36 |
| On or near Essex Road | 33 |
| On or near Hooker'S Road | 29 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in St James, Waltham Forest 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 | 530 | 37.2% |
| Not recorded | 347 | 24.4% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 237 | 16.7% |
| Under investigation | 122 | 8.6% |
| Status update unavailable | 77 | 5.4% |
| Local resolution | 44 | 3.1% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 38 | 2.7% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 11 | 0.8% |
| Court result unavailable | 9 | 0.6% |
| Offender given penalty notice | 6 | 0.4% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.1% |
St James, Waltham Forest has an estimated population of 15,540. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in St James, Waltham Forest sits in decile 4.8, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | St James, Waltham Forest |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 18.2% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 75.0% |
| Aged 65 and over | 6.8% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 45.5% |
| Social rented homes | 19.9% |
| Private rented homes | 34.5% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.8 |
Is St James, Waltham Forest a safe place to live?
St James, Waltham Forest recorded 91.6 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 St James, Waltham Forest?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 360 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (347).
Is crime in St James, Waltham Forest going up or down?
Recorded crime in St James, Waltham Forest was down 12% on the year before: 1,423 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,612 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers St James, Waltham Forest?
St James, Waltham Forest 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 St James, Waltham Forest. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.