Crime in the Metropolitan Police area: statistics, rates and trends
1,121,123 crimes were recorded in the Metropolitan Police area in the 12 months to July 2026, 123.5 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 2% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in the Metropolitan Police area at a glance
- Crime trends in the Metropolitan Police area
- Types of crime in the Metropolitan Police area
- The Metropolitan Police area compared with nearby police force areas
- Areas within the Metropolitan Police area
- What happened after crimes were reported in the Metropolitan Police area
- Population and deprivation in the Metropolitan Police area
- Questions about crime in the Metropolitan Police area
- About this data
1,121,123 crimes were recorded in the Metropolitan Police area in the 12 months to July 2026, 123.5 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 2% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 279,864 reports (25% of the total).
Of the 42 police force areas covered by this site, the Metropolitan Police area has the 3rd highest crime rate.
| Measure | the Metropolitan Police area | England | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,121,123 | 5,360,756 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 123.5 | 96.4 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -2% | -1% | -1% |
| Population | 9,074,625 | 55,610,437 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in the Metropolitan Police area was highest in the year to July 2025 (1,140,718 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (1,029,764). Over the whole period it rose 9%, 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 | 1,121,123 | 123.5 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,140,718 | 125.7 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,126,576 | 124.1 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,087,968 | 119.9 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,060,355 | 116.8 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,106,866 | 122.0 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,136,814 | 125.3 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,091,509 | 120.3 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,029,764 | 113.5 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 101,719 |
| June 2026 | 95,745 |
| May 2026 | 96,758 |
| April 2026 | 91,209 |
| March 2026 | 92,276 |
| February 2026 | 83,978 |
| January 2026 | 86,056 |
| December 2025 | 90,387 |
| November 2025 | 93,697 |
| October 2025 | 97,955 |
| September 2025 | 92,828 |
| August 2025 | 98,515 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in the Metropolitan Police area 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, vehicle crime.
The largest increases were in possession of weapons (+39%). The largest falls were in criminal damage and arson (-27%) and theft from the person (-23%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 279,864 | 30.8 | 0.90 | +8% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 234,776 | 25.9 | 1.69 | +0% |
| Other theft | 97,203 | 10.7 | 1.68 | -4% |
| Shoplifting | 91,949 | 10.1 | 1.22 | +4% |
| Vehicle crime | 82,279 | 9.1 | 1.84 | -6% |
| Theft from the person | 73,231 | 8.1 | 4.78 | -23% |
| Public order | 60,265 | 6.6 | 1.00 | +8% |
| Drugs | 49,301 | 5.4 | 1.66 | -1% |
| Burglary | 47,292 | 5.2 | 1.47 | -4% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 40,138 | 4.4 | 0.65 | -27% |
| Robbery | 30,815 | 3.4 | 2.51 | -5% |
| Bicycle theft | 13,984 | 1.5 | 1.87 | -3% |
| Other crime | 13,124 | 1.4 | 0.68 | -1% |
| Possession of weapons | 6,902 | 0.8 | 0.78 | +39% |
Violence and sexual offences in the Metropolitan Police area
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. The Metropolitan Police area recorded 279,864 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (30.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 25.0% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in the Metropolitan Police area
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. The Metropolitan Police area recorded 234,776 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (25.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 20.9% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in the Metropolitan Police area
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. The Metropolitan Police area recorded 97,203 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 8.7% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in the Metropolitan Police area
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. The Metropolitan Police area recorded 91,949 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 8.2% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in the Metropolitan Police area
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. The Metropolitan Police area recorded 82,279 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 7.3% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in the Metropolitan Police area
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. The Metropolitan Police area recorded 73,231 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 6.5% of all crime in the area.
Public order in the Metropolitan Police area
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. The Metropolitan Police area recorded 60,265 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 5.4% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in the Metropolitan Police area
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. The Metropolitan Police area recorded 49,301 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in the Metropolitan Police area
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. The Metropolitan Police area recorded 47,292 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in the Metropolitan Police area
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. The Metropolitan Police area recorded 40,138 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 27% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in the Metropolitan Police area
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. The Metropolitan Police area recorded 30,815 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in the Metropolitan Police area
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. The Metropolitan Police area recorded 13,984 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 3% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in the Metropolitan Police area
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. The Metropolitan Police area recorded 13,124 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in the Metropolitan Police area
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. The Metropolitan Police area recorded 6,902 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 39% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the police force areas closest to the Metropolitan Police area, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to the Metropolitan Police area.
| Police force area | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs the Metropolitan Police area |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of London | 9,805 | 648.9 | +425% |
| Hertfordshire | 105,683 | 85.5 | -31% |
| Surrey | 87,826 | 70.3 | -43% |
| Essex | 163,711 | 84.8 | -31% |
| Bedfordshire | 59,529 | 79.4 | -36% |
| Thames Valley | 193,968 | 73.5 | -41% |
| Kent | 175,300 | 90.7 | -27% |
| Sussex | 161,306 | 91.7 | -26% |
32 areas within the Metropolitan Police area, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Westminster had the highest rate (416.0 per 1,000) and Richmond upon Thames the lowest (73.2). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westminster | District | 209,996 | 87,349 | 416.0 |
| Camden | District | 216,943 | 46,860 | 216.0 |
| Islington | District | 223,024 | 41,000 | 183.8 |
| Kensington and Chelsea | District | 144,518 | 25,550 | 176.8 |
| Southwark | District | 314,786 | 49,003 | 155.7 |
| Lambeth | District | 316,920 | 48,559 | 153.2 |
| Hackney | District | 266,758 | 39,179 | 146.9 |
| Tower Hamlets | District | 331,886 | 48,015 | 144.7 |
| Hammersmith and Fulham | District | 188,687 | 26,219 | 139.0 |
| Newham | District | 374,523 | 50,890 | 135.9 |
| Haringey | District | 263,850 | 35,064 | 132.9 |
| Lewisham | District | 301,255 | 36,975 | 122.7 |
| Brent | District | 352,976 | 43,138 | 122.2 |
| Hillingdon | District | 329,185 | 39,446 | 119.8 |
| Greenwich | District | 299,528 | 33,981 | 113.4 |
| Ealing | District | 385,985 | 43,653 | 113.1 |
| Enfield | District | 327,434 | 36,957 | 112.9 |
| Hounslow | District | 299,424 | 33,076 | 110.5 |
| Waltham Forest | District | 279,737 | 29,474 | 105.4 |
| Barking and Dagenham | District | 232,747 | 24,389 | 104.8 |
| Croydon | District | 409,342 | 42,591 | 104.0 |
| Wandsworth | District | 337,655 | 33,499 | 99.2 |
| Redbridge | District | 321,231 | 30,687 | 95.5 |
| Barnet | District | 405,050 | 37,559 | 92.7 |
| Havering | District | 276,274 | 24,479 | 88.6 |
| Bromley | District | 335,319 | 29,229 | 87.2 |
| Kingston upon Thames | District | 172,692 | 14,970 | 86.7 |
| Harrow | District | 270,724 | 22,094 | 81.6 |
| Bexley | District | 256,434 | 20,071 | 78.3 |
| Sutton | District | 214,525 | 16,474 | 76.8 |
| Merton | District | 218,539 | 16,295 | 74.6 |
| Richmond upon Thames | District | 196,678 | 14,398 | 73.2 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in the Metropolitan Police area 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 | 431,693 | 38.5% |
| Not recorded | 234,776 | 20.9% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 220,538 | 19.7% |
| Under investigation | 102,740 | 9.2% |
| Status update unavailable | 48,145 | 4.3% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 39,194 | 3.5% |
| Local resolution | 18,598 | 1.7% |
| Court result unavailable | 11,655 | 1.0% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 5,713 | 0.5% |
| Offender given penalty notice | 2,802 | 0.2% |
| Offender given a caution | 2,017 | 0.2% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 1,883 | 0.2% |
The Metropolitan Police area has an estimated population of 9,074,625. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in the Metropolitan Police area sits in decile 4.9, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | the Metropolitan Police area |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 18.7% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 69.0% |
| Aged 65 and over | 12.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 46.8% |
| Social rented homes | 23.1% |
| Private rented homes | 29.9% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.9 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 4.1% |
Is the Metropolitan Police area a safe place to live?
The Metropolitan Police area recorded 123.5 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 the Metropolitan Police area?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 279,864 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (234,776).
Is crime in the Metropolitan Police area going up or down?
Recorded crime in the Metropolitan Police area was down 2% on the year before: 1,121,123 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,140,718 in the previous 12 months.
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 the Metropolitan Police area. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.