Crime in West Barnes: statistics, rates and trends
764 crimes were recorded in West Barnes in the 12 months to July 2026, 71.0 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 9% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in West Barnes at a glance
- Crime trends in West Barnes
- Types of crime in West Barnes
- West Barnes compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in West Barnes
- What happened after crimes were reported in West Barnes
- Population and deprivation in West Barnes
- Questions about crime in West Barnes
- About this data
764 crimes were recorded in West Barnes in the 12 months to July 2026, 71.0 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 9% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 243 reports (32% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, West Barnes has the 2,188th highest crime rate.
| Measure | West Barnes | Merton | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 764 | 16,295 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 71.0 | 74.6 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +9% | -7% | -1% |
| Population | 10,758 | 218,539 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in West Barnes was highest in the year to July 2020 (925 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (699). Over the whole period it fell 1%, 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 | 764 | 71.0 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 699 | 65.0 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 714 | 66.4 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 740 | 68.8 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 878 | 81.6 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 904 | 84.0 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 925 | 86.0 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 825 | 76.7 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 769 | 71.5 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 59 |
| June 2026 | 57 |
| May 2026 | 56 |
| April 2026 | 70 |
| March 2026 | 67 |
| February 2026 | 52 |
| January 2026 | 60 |
| December 2025 | 74 |
| November 2025 | 61 |
| October 2025 | 73 |
| September 2025 | 63 |
| August 2025 | 72 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in West Barnes 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.
The largest increases were in public order (+46%) and shoplifting (+35%). The largest falls were in burglary (-19%) and criminal damage and arson (-18%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 243 | 22.6 | 0.66 | +7% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 162 | 15.1 | 0.98 | +11% |
| Vehicle crime | 80 | 7.4 | 1.51 | +33% |
| Other theft | 54 | 5.0 | 0.79 | +4% |
| Shoplifting | 54 | 5.0 | 0.61 | +35% |
| Public order | 51 | 4.7 | 0.71 | +46% |
| Burglary | 34 | 3.2 | 0.89 | -19% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 33 | 3.1 | 0.45 | -18% |
| Drugs | 19 | 1.8 | 0.54 | +36% |
| Other crime | 8 | 0.7 | 0.35 | -33% |
| Robbery | 8 | 0.7 | 0.55 | +300% |
| Theft from the person | 8 | 0.7 | 0.44 | -27% |
| Bicycle theft | 6 | 0.6 | 0.68 | -60% |
| Possession of weapons | 4 | 0.4 | 0.38 | +33% |
Violence and sexual offences in West Barnes
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. West Barnes recorded 243 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (22.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 31.8% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in West Barnes
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. West Barnes recorded 162 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 21.2% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in West Barnes
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. West Barnes recorded 80 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 10.5% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in West Barnes
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. West Barnes recorded 54 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 7.1% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in West Barnes
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. West Barnes recorded 54 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 35% on the year before. It made up 7.1% of all crime in the area.
Public order in West Barnes
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. West Barnes recorded 51 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 46% on the year before. It made up 6.7% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in West Barnes
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. West Barnes recorded 34 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 4.5% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in West Barnes
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. West Barnes recorded 33 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 4.3% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in West Barnes
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. West Barnes recorded 19 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 36% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in West Barnes
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. West Barnes recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in West Barnes
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. West Barnes recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 300% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in West Barnes
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. West Barnes recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 27% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in West Barnes
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. West Barnes recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 60% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in West Barnes
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. West Barnes 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 up 33% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to West Barnes, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to West Barnes.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs West Barnes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raynes Park | 832 | 59.2 | -17% |
| Cannon Hill | 325 | 32.5 | -54% |
| Lower Morden | 502 | 43.6 | -39% |
| Merton Park | 859 | 104.0 | +46% |
| Village | 516 | 51.1 | -28% |
| Hillside | 527 | 59.6 | -16% |
| St Helier | 793 | 68.3 | -4% |
| Wimbledon Town & Dundonald | 1,316 | 102.0 | +44% |
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 West Barnes over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Petrol Station | 128 |
| On or near West Barnes Lane | 68 |
| On or near Station Road | 42 |
| On or near Greenview Drive | 36 |
| On or near Parking Area | 34 |
| On or near Barnes End | 29 |
| On or near Burlington Road | 26 |
| On or near Church Walk | 25 |
| On or near Rookwood Avenue | 23 |
| On or near Crossway | 18 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in West Barnes 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 | 275 | 36.0% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 200 | 26.2% |
| Not recorded | 162 | 21.2% |
| Under investigation | 63 | 8.2% |
| Status update unavailable | 30 | 3.9% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 14 | 1.8% |
| Court result unavailable | 5 | 0.7% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 5 | 0.7% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 4 | 0.5% |
| Local resolution | 4 | 0.5% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.3% |
West Barnes has an estimated population of 10,758. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in West Barnes sits in decile 8.7, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | West Barnes |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 19.6% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 64.6% |
| Aged 65 and over | 15.7% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 71.9% |
| Social rented homes | 6.4% |
| Private rented homes | 21.4% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 8.7 |
Is West Barnes a safe place to live?
West Barnes recorded 71.0 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 West Barnes?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 243 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (162).
Is crime in West Barnes going up or down?
Recorded crime in West Barnes was up 9% on the year before: 764 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 699 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers West Barnes?
West Barnes 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 West Barnes. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.