Crime in West End, Westminster: statistics, rates and trends
25,568 crimes were recorded in West End, Westminster in the 12 months to July 2026, 2,244.6 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 25% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in West End, Westminster at a glance
- Crime trends in West End, Westminster
- Types of crime in West End, Westminster
- West End, Westminster compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in West End, Westminster
- What happened after crimes were reported in West End, Westminster
- Population and deprivation in West End, Westminster
- Questions about crime in West End, Westminster
- About this data
25,568 crimes were recorded in West End, Westminster in the 12 months to July 2026, 2,244.6 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 25% on the year before. The most common offence was theft from the person, with 7,917 reports (31% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, West End, Westminster has the 1st highest crime rate.
| Measure | West End, Westminster | Westminster | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 25,568 | 87,349 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 2,244.6 | 416.0 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -25% | -14% | -1% |
| Population | 11,391 | 209,996 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in West End, Westminster was highest in the year to July 2024 (37,036 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (13,167). Over the whole period it rose 20%, 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 | 25,568 | 2,244.6 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 34,038 | 2,988.1 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 37,036 | 3,251.3 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 33,201 | 2,914.7 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 25,998 | 2,282.3 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 13,167 | 1,155.9 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 19,632 | 1,723.5 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 27,193 | 2,387.2 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 21,235 | 1,864.2 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 1,962 |
| June 2026 | 1,770 |
| May 2026 | 1,701 |
| April 2026 | 1,846 |
| March 2026 | 1,842 |
| February 2026 | 1,943 |
| January 2026 | 2,051 |
| December 2025 | 2,982 |
| November 2025 | 2,974 |
| October 2025 | 2,305 |
| September 2025 | 2,022 |
| August 2025 | 2,170 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in West End, Westminster 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, shoplifting.
The largest increases were in possession of weapons (+106%) and drugs (+49%). The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-51%) and theft from the person (-47%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Theft from the person | 7,917 | 695.0 | 411.44 | -47% |
| Other theft | 5,620 | 493.4 | 77.16 | -21% |
| Shoplifting | 3,317 | 291.2 | 35.15 | +30% |
| Violence and sexual offences | 2,598 | 228.1 | 6.66 | -2% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 2,050 | 180.0 | 11.73 | -2% |
| Robbery | 959 | 84.2 | 62.32 | -29% |
| Public order | 729 | 64.0 | 9.63 | +19% |
| Drugs | 698 | 61.3 | 18.74 | +49% |
| Vehicle crime | 551 | 48.4 | 9.82 | -51% |
| Burglary | 508 | 44.6 | 12.61 | -21% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 276 | 24.2 | 3.57 | -25% |
| Bicycle theft | 157 | 13.8 | 16.74 | +7% |
| Other crime | 116 | 10.2 | 4.82 | +4% |
| Possession of weapons | 72 | 6.3 | 6.51 | +106% |
Theft from the person in West End, Westminster
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. West End, Westminster recorded 7,917 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (695.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 47% on the year before. It made up 31.0% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in West End, Westminster
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. West End, Westminster recorded 5,620 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (493.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 22.0% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in West End, Westminster
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. West End, Westminster recorded 3,317 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (291.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 30% on the year before. It made up 13.0% of all crime in the area.
Violence and sexual offences in West End, Westminster
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. West End, Westminster recorded 2,598 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (228.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 10.2% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in West End, Westminster
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. West End, Westminster recorded 2,050 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (180.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 8.0% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in West End, Westminster
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. West End, Westminster recorded 959 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (84.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.
Public order in West End, Westminster
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. West End, Westminster recorded 729 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (64.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in West End, Westminster
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. West End, Westminster recorded 698 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (61.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 49% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in West End, Westminster
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. West End, Westminster recorded 551 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (48.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 51% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in West End, Westminster
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. West End, Westminster recorded 508 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (44.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in West End, Westminster
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. West End, Westminster recorded 276 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (24.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in West End, Westminster
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. West End, Westminster recorded 157 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in West End, Westminster
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. West End, Westminster recorded 116 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in West End, Westminster
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. West End, Westminster recorded 72 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 106% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to West End, Westminster, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to West End, Westminster.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs West End, Westminster |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marylebone | 9,442 | 647.0 | -71% |
| St James's | 20,455 | 1,786.2 | -20% |
| Hyde Park | 2,490 | 269.6 | -88% |
| Church Street | 2,156 | 176.5 | -92% |
| Regent's Park | 2,446 | 188.5 | -92% |
| Knightsbridge & Belgravia | 4,173 | 350.5 | -84% |
| Vincent Square | 2,580 | 248.6 | -89% |
| Lancaster Gate | 2,751 | 243.7 | -89% |
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 End, Westminster over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Nightclub | 3,555 |
| On or near Further/Higher Educational Building | 1,953 |
| On or near Hills Place | 1,118 |
| On or near Dering Street | 896 |
| On or near John Prince'S Street | 839 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 637 |
| On or near Argyll Street | 620 |
| On or near Theatre/Concert Hall | 611 |
| On or near Red Place | 592 |
| On or near Great Windmill Street | 507 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in West End, Westminster 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 | 17,081 | 66.8% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 2,259 | 8.8% |
| Not recorded | 2,050 | 8.0% |
| Under investigation | 1,985 | 7.8% |
| Status update unavailable | 843 | 3.3% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 654 | 2.6% |
| Local resolution | 343 | 1.3% |
| Court result unavailable | 192 | 0.8% |
| Offender given penalty notice | 58 | 0.2% |
| Offender given a caution | 44 | 0.2% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 31 | 0.1% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 16 | 0.1% |
West End, Westminster has an estimated population of 11,391. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in West End, Westminster sits in decile 5.0, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | West End, Westminster |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 7.5% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 79.0% |
| Aged 65 and over | 13.5% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 23.5% |
| Social rented homes | 25.4% |
| Private rented homes | 50.9% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.0 |
Is West End, Westminster a safe place to live?
West End, Westminster recorded 2,244.6 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 West End, Westminster?
Theft from the person was the most common category, with 7,917 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by other theft (5,620).
Is crime in West End, Westminster going up or down?
Recorded crime in West End, Westminster was down 25% on the year before: 25,568 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 34,038 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers West End, Westminster?
West End, Westminster 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 End, Westminster. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.