Crime in Barnet: statistics, rates and trends

37,299 crimes were recorded in Barnet in the 12 months to July 2026, 92.7 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 5% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 9,178 reports (25% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Barnet has the 442nd highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Barnet was highest in the year to July 2021 (39,569 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (33,653). Over the whole period it rose 11%, 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 Barnet 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, vehicle crime, burglary.

The largest increases were in possession of weapons (+26%) and shoplifting (+24%). The largest falls were in criminal damage and arson (-27%).

Violence and sexual offences in Barnet

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Barnet recorded 9,178 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (22.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 24.6% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Barnet

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Barnet recorded 8,760 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (21.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 23.5% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Barnet

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Barnet recorded 3,755 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 10.1% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Barnet

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Barnet recorded 3,373 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 24% on the year before. It made up 9.0% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Barnet

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Barnet recorded 2,550 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 6.8% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Barnet

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Barnet recorded 2,145 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 2% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Barnet

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Barnet recorded 1,969 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 5.3% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Barnet

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Barnet recorded 1,615 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 4.3% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Barnet

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Barnet recorded 1,405 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 27% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Barnet

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Barnet recorded 946 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Barnet

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Barnet recorded 800 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 23% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Barnet

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Barnet recorded 418 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Barnet

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Barnet recorded 200 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Barnet

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Barnet recorded 185 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 26% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

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

24 areas within Barnet, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Cricklewood had the highest rate (173.6 per 1,000) and Edgwarebury the lowest (61.6). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

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 Barnet over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Barnet 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.

Barnet has an estimated population of 402,167. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Barnet sits in decile 5.3, 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 Barnet. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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