Crime in London: statistics, rates and trends

1,130,928 crimes were recorded in London in the 12 months to July 2026, 124.4 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 281,364 reports (25% of the total).

Of the 9 regions covered by this site, London has the 1st highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in London was highest in the year to July 2025 (1,150,730 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (1,037,653). 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.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in London 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 (+38%). The largest falls were in criminal damage and arson (-26%) and theft from the person (-23%).

Violence and sexual offences in London

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. London recorded 281,364 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (31.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 24.9% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in London

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. London recorded 234,970 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 20.8% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in London

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. London recorded 99,598 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 8.8% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in London

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. London recorded 93,583 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 8.3% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in London

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. London recorded 82,463 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 London

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. London recorded 74,503 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 6.6% of all crime in the area.

Public order in London

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. London recorded 60,894 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 5.4% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in London

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. London recorded 49,762 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.5 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 London

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. London recorded 47,767 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.3 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 London

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. London recorded 40,437 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 26% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in London

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. London recorded 31,120 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 2.8% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in London

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. London recorded 14,348 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in London

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. London recorded 13,173 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 down 1% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in London

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. London recorded 6,946 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 38% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

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

33 areas within London, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. City of London had the highest rate (648.9 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.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in London 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.

London has an estimated population of 9,089,736. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in London sits in decile 4.9, 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 London. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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