Crime in Whitechapel: statistics, rates and trends

3,156 crimes were recorded in Whitechapel in the 12 months to July 2026, 151.6 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 6% on the year before. The most common offence was anti-social behaviour, with 829 reports (26% of the total).

Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Whitechapel has the 419th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Whitechapel was highest in the year to July 2020 (3,752 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2023 (3,146). Over the whole period it fell 7%, 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.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Whitechapel 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, shoplifting.

The largest increases were in public order (+26%). The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-29%) and bicycle theft (-22%).

Anti-social behaviour in Whitechapel

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Whitechapel recorded 829 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (39.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 26.3% of all crime in the area.

Violence and sexual offences in Whitechapel

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Whitechapel recorded 687 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (33.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 21.8% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Whitechapel

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Whitechapel recorded 269 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 8.5% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Whitechapel

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Whitechapel recorded 241 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 7.6% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Whitechapel

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Whitechapel recorded 206 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 6.5% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Whitechapel

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Whitechapel recorded 191 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 26% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Whitechapel

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Whitechapel recorded 176 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 5.6% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Whitechapel

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Whitechapel recorded 147 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Whitechapel

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Whitechapel recorded 116 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 3.7% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Whitechapel

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Whitechapel recorded 90 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Whitechapel

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Whitechapel recorded 85 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Whitechapel

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Whitechapel recorded 73 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Whitechapel

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Whitechapel recorded 27 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Whitechapel

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Whitechapel recorded 19 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 27% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Whitechapel, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Whitechapel.

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 Whitechapel over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Whitechapel 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.

Whitechapel has an estimated population of 20,812. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Whitechapel sits in decile 3.9, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

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 Whitechapel. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.