Crime in Woolwich Arsenal: statistics, rates and trends

2,586 crimes were recorded in Woolwich Arsenal in the 12 months to July 2026, 198.8 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 8% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 689 reports (27% of the total).

Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Woolwich Arsenal has the 198th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Woolwich Arsenal was highest in the year to July 2020 (2,648 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (2,344). Over the whole period it rose 10%, 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 Woolwich Arsenal 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 violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour, other theft.

The largest increases were in shoplifting (+50%) and burglary (+44%). The largest falls were in bicycle theft (-39%) and possession of weapons (-36%).

Violence and sexual offences in Woolwich Arsenal

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Woolwich Arsenal recorded 689 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (53.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 26.6% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Woolwich Arsenal

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Woolwich Arsenal recorded 560 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (43.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 21.7% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Woolwich Arsenal

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Woolwich Arsenal recorded 228 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 8.8% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Woolwich Arsenal

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Woolwich Arsenal recorded 212 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (16.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 23% on the year before. It made up 8.2% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Woolwich Arsenal

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Woolwich Arsenal recorded 206 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 50% on the year before. It made up 8.0% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Woolwich Arsenal

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Woolwich Arsenal recorded 146 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 5.6% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Woolwich Arsenal

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Woolwich Arsenal recorded 114 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 44% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Woolwich Arsenal

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Woolwich Arsenal recorded 100 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 3.9% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Woolwich Arsenal

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Woolwich Arsenal recorded 90 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Woolwich Arsenal

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Woolwich Arsenal recorded 89 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Woolwich Arsenal

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Woolwich Arsenal recorded 89 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Woolwich Arsenal

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Woolwich Arsenal recorded 28 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 56% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Woolwich Arsenal

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Woolwich Arsenal recorded 19 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 39% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Woolwich Arsenal

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Woolwich Arsenal recorded 16 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 36% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

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

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 Woolwich Arsenal over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Woolwich Arsenal 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.

Woolwich Arsenal has an estimated population of 13,005. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Woolwich Arsenal sits in decile 5.1, close to the middle. 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 Woolwich Arsenal. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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