Crime in Waterloo & South Bank: statistics, rates and trends
6,396 crimes were recorded in Waterloo & South Bank in the 12 months to July 2026, 662.9 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 3% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Waterloo & South Bank at a glance
- Crime trends in Waterloo & South Bank
- Types of crime in Waterloo & South Bank
- Waterloo & South Bank compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Waterloo & South Bank
- What happened after crimes were reported in Waterloo & South Bank
- Population and deprivation in Waterloo & South Bank
- Questions about crime in Waterloo & South Bank
- About this data
6,396 crimes were recorded in Waterloo & South Bank in the 12 months to July 2026, 662.9 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 3% on the year before. The most common offence was theft from the person, with 1,346 reports (21% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Waterloo & South Bank has the 7th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Waterloo & South Bank | Lambeth | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 6,396 | 48,559 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 662.9 | 153.2 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +3% | +2% | -1% |
| Population | 9,648 | 316,920 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Waterloo & South Bank was highest in the year to July 2026 (6,396 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (3,780). Over the whole period it rose 69%, 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 | 6,396 | 662.9 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 6,235 | 646.2 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 5,509 | 571.0 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 5,252 | 544.4 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 4,456 | 461.9 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 4,120 | 427.0 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 3,908 | 405.1 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 4,558 | 472.4 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 3,780 | 391.8 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 615 |
| June 2026 | 561 |
| May 2026 | 500 |
| April 2026 | 530 |
| March 2026 | 527 |
| February 2026 | 421 |
| January 2026 | 517 |
| December 2025 | 579 |
| November 2025 | 521 |
| October 2025 | 483 |
| September 2025 | 585 |
| August 2025 | 557 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Waterloo & South Bank 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 theft from the person, other theft, anti-social behaviour.
The largest increases were in shoplifting (+74%) and anti-social behaviour (+49%). The largest falls were in burglary (-33%) and vehicle crime (-30%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Theft from the person | 1,346 | 139.5 | 82.59 | -26% |
| Other theft | 1,170 | 121.3 | 18.97 | +12% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 1,163 | 120.5 | 7.86 | +49% |
| Violence and sexual offences | 1,138 | 118.0 | 3.45 | +6% |
| Shoplifting | 468 | 48.5 | 5.85 | +74% |
| Public order | 311 | 32.2 | 4.85 | +35% |
| Robbery | 200 | 20.7 | 15.35 | -28% |
| Bicycle theft | 154 | 16.0 | 19.39 | +1% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 135 | 14.0 | 2.06 | -28% |
| Burglary | 118 | 12.2 | 3.46 | -33% |
| Drugs | 100 | 10.4 | 3.17 | -10% |
| Vehicle crime | 43 | 4.5 | 0.90 | -30% |
| Other crime | 35 | 3.6 | 1.72 | +0% |
| Possession of weapons | 15 | 1.6 | 1.60 | -29% |
Theft from the person in Waterloo & South Bank
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Waterloo & South Bank recorded 1,346 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (139.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 21.0% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Waterloo & South Bank
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Waterloo & South Bank recorded 1,170 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (121.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 18.3% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Waterloo & South Bank
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Waterloo & South Bank recorded 1,163 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (120.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 49% on the year before. It made up 18.2% of all crime in the area.
Violence and sexual offences in Waterloo & South Bank
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Waterloo & South Bank recorded 1,138 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (118.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 17.8% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Waterloo & South Bank
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Waterloo & South Bank recorded 468 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (48.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 74% on the year before. It made up 7.3% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Waterloo & South Bank
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Waterloo & South Bank recorded 311 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (32.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 35% on the year before. It made up 4.9% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Waterloo & South Bank
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Waterloo & South Bank recorded 200 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (20.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 28% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Waterloo & South Bank
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Waterloo & South Bank recorded 154 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (16.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Waterloo & South Bank
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Waterloo & South Bank recorded 135 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (14.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 28% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Waterloo & South Bank
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Waterloo & South Bank recorded 118 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Waterloo & South Bank
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Waterloo & South Bank recorded 100 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Waterloo & South Bank
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Waterloo & South Bank recorded 43 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 30% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Waterloo & South Bank
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Waterloo & South Bank recorded 35 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Waterloo & South Bank
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Waterloo & South Bank recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Waterloo & South Bank, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Waterloo & South Bank.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Waterloo & South Bank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kennington | 2,200 | 137.1 | -79% |
| Vauxhall | 3,301 | 264.5 | -60% |
| Oval | 1,145 | 121.8 | -82% |
| Myatt's Fields | 974 | 99.7 | -85% |
| Stockwell East | 1,200 | 104.9 | -84% |
| Stockwell West & Larkhall | 2,084 | 121.2 | -82% |
| Brixton North | 2,477 | 149.1 | -78% |
| Clapham Town | 2,515 | 177.0 | -73% |
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 Waterloo & South Bank over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Hospital | 809 |
| On or near Addington Street | 382 |
| On or near Theatre/Concert Hall | 368 |
| On or near Parking Area | 317 |
| On or near Further/Higher Educational Building | 310 |
| On or near Chicheley Street | 302 |
| On or near Pratt Walk | 272 |
| On or near Waterloo | 260 |
| On or near London Waterloo | 220 |
| On or near Ferry Terminal | 198 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Waterloo & South Bank 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 | 3,520 | 55.0% |
| Not recorded | 1,163 | 18.2% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 809 | 12.6% |
| Under investigation | 376 | 5.9% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 196 | 3.1% |
| Status update unavailable | 192 | 3.0% |
| Court result unavailable | 65 | 1.0% |
| Local resolution | 38 | 0.6% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 20 | 0.3% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 9 | 0.1% |
| Offender given penalty notice | 5 | 0.1% |
| Offender given a caution | 1 | 0.0% |
Waterloo & South Bank has an estimated population of 9,648. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Waterloo & South Bank sits in decile 5.3, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Waterloo & South Bank |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 8.1% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 81.5% |
| Aged 65 and over | 10.4% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 22.2% |
| Social rented homes | 36.9% |
| Private rented homes | 40.8% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.3 |
Is Waterloo & South Bank a safe place to live?
Waterloo & South Bank recorded 662.9 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, higher 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 Waterloo & South Bank?
Theft from the person was the most common category, with 1,346 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by other theft (1,170).
Is crime in Waterloo & South Bank going up or down?
Recorded crime in Waterloo & South Bank was up 3% on the year before: 6,396 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 6,235 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Waterloo & South Bank?
Waterloo & South Bank 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 Waterloo & South Bank. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.