Crime in Thornton Heath: statistics, rates and trends
1,959 crimes were recorded in Thornton Heath in the 12 months to July 2026, 108.0 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 4% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Thornton Heath at a glance
- Crime trends in Thornton Heath
- Types of crime in Thornton Heath
- Thornton Heath compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Thornton Heath
- What happened after crimes were reported in Thornton Heath
- Population and deprivation in Thornton Heath
- Questions about crime in Thornton Heath
- About this data
1,959 crimes were recorded in Thornton Heath in the 12 months to July 2026, 108.0 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 4% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 646 reports (33% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Thornton Heath has the 1,048th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Thornton Heath | Croydon | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,959 | 42,591 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 108.0 | 104.0 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +4% | -3% | -1% |
| Population | 18,143 | 409,342 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Thornton Heath was highest in the year to July 2020 (2,419 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (1,874). Over the whole period it rose 5%, 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 | 1,959 | 108.0 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,876 | 103.4 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 2,018 | 111.2 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,984 | 109.4 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 2,046 | 112.8 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 2,360 | 130.1 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 2,419 | 133.3 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 2,057 | 113.4 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,874 | 103.3 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 151 |
| June 2026 | 161 |
| May 2026 | 171 |
| April 2026 | 178 |
| March 2026 | 174 |
| February 2026 | 150 |
| January 2026 | 165 |
| December 2025 | 196 |
| November 2025 | 150 |
| October 2025 | 143 |
| September 2025 | 159 |
| August 2025 | 161 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Thornton Heath 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 drugs (+40%) and anti-social behaviour (+25%). The largest falls were in criminal damage and arson (-22%) and other theft (-18%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 646 | 35.6 | 1.04 | +4% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 430 | 23.7 | 1.54 | +25% |
| Vehicle crime | 168 | 9.3 | 1.88 | -7% |
| Drugs | 130 | 7.2 | 2.19 | +40% |
| Public order | 115 | 6.3 | 0.95 | +7% |
| Other theft | 104 | 5.7 | 0.90 | -18% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 92 | 5.1 | 0.75 | -22% |
| Shoplifting | 62 | 3.4 | 0.41 | -17% |
| Burglary | 52 | 2.9 | 0.81 | -7% |
| Robbery | 52 | 2.9 | 2.12 | +11% |
| Theft from the person | 47 | 2.6 | 1.53 | +4% |
| Other crime | 28 | 1.5 | 0.73 | -12% |
| Possession of weapons | 20 | 1.1 | 1.14 | +33% |
| Bicycle theft | 13 | 0.7 | 0.87 | +18% |
Violence and sexual offences in Thornton Heath
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Thornton Heath recorded 646 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (35.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 33.0% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Thornton Heath
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Thornton Heath recorded 430 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (23.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 25% on the year before. It made up 21.9% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Thornton Heath
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Thornton Heath recorded 168 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 8.6% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Thornton Heath
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Thornton Heath recorded 130 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 40% on the year before. It made up 6.6% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Thornton Heath
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Thornton Heath recorded 115 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 5.9% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Thornton Heath
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Thornton Heath recorded 104 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 5.3% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Thornton Heath
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Thornton Heath recorded 92 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Thornton Heath
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Thornton Heath recorded 62 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Thornton Heath
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Thornton Heath recorded 52 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Thornton Heath
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Thornton Heath recorded 52 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Thornton Heath
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Thornton Heath recorded 47 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Thornton Heath
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Thornton Heath recorded 28 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Thornton Heath
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Thornton Heath recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Thornton Heath
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Thornton Heath recorded 13 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 18% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Thornton Heath, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Thornton Heath.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Thornton Heath |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bensham Manor | 1,534 | 85.7 | -21% |
| South Norwood | 1,986 | 105.7 | -2% |
| Crystal Palace & Upper Norwood | 1,368 | 80.1 | -26% |
| Norbury Park | 604 | 64.2 | -41% |
| Selhurst | 1,729 | 144.2 | +34% |
| Norbury & Pollards Hill | 1,495 | 106.2 | -2% |
| West Thornton | 2,829 | 140.7 | +30% |
| Woodside | 1,566 | 90.4 | -16% |
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 Thornton Heath over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 178 |
| On or near B266 | 98 |
| On or near High Street | 78 |
| On or near Stuart Road | 71 |
| On or near Gillett Road | 61 |
| On or near Parchmore Road | 60 |
| On or near Mersham Place | 53 |
| On or near Beulah Crescent | 51 |
| On or near Gilsland Road | 45 |
| On or near Cotford Road | 40 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Thornton Heath 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 | 545 | 27.8% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 475 | 24.2% |
| Not recorded | 430 | 21.9% |
| Under investigation | 235 | 12.0% |
| Status update unavailable | 109 | 5.6% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 68 | 3.5% |
| Local resolution | 35 | 1.8% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 22 | 1.1% |
| Court result unavailable | 16 | 0.8% |
| Offender given penalty notice | 14 | 0.7% |
| Offender given a caution | 7 | 0.4% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.1% |
Thornton Heath has an estimated population of 18,143. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Thornton Heath sits in decile 3.3, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Thornton Heath |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 20.3% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 68.6% |
| Aged 65 and over | 11.1% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 51.9% |
| Social rented homes | 18.9% |
| Private rented homes | 28.9% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 3.3 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 10.3% |
Is Thornton Heath a safe place to live?
Thornton Heath recorded 108.0 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 Thornton Heath?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 646 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (430).
Is crime in Thornton Heath going up or down?
Recorded crime in Thornton Heath was up 4% on the year before: 1,959 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,876 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Thornton Heath?
Thornton Heath 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 Thornton Heath. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.