Crime in Bexley: statistics, rates and trends

20,071 crimes were recorded in Bexley in the 12 months to July 2026, 78.3 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 1% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 6,200 reports (31% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Bexley has the 646th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Bexley was highest in the year to July 2020 (22,606 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (19,208). Over the whole period it rose 4%, 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 Bexley 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 vehicle crime.

The largest increases were in possession of weapons (+32%) and robbery (+20%). The largest falls were in criminal damage and arson (-31%) and theft from the person (-20%).

Violence and sexual offences in Bexley

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Bexley recorded 6,200 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (24.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 30.9% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Bexley

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Bexley recorded 4,219 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (16.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 15% on the year before. It made up 21.0% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Bexley

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Bexley recorded 1,626 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 8.1% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Bexley

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Bexley recorded 1,596 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 8.0% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Bexley

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Bexley recorded 1,261 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 11% on the year before. It made up 6.3% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Bexley

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Bexley recorded 1,219 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 1% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Bexley

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Bexley recorded 1,157 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 31% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Bexley

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Bexley recorded 890 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Bexley

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Bexley recorded 806 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 4.0% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Bexley

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Bexley recorded 396 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 20% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Bexley

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Bexley recorded 282 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Bexley

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Bexley recorded 238 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Bexley

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Bexley recorded 119 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 32% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Bexley

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Bexley recorded 62 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

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

17 areas within Bexley, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Bexleyheath had the highest rate (147.8 per 1,000) and Blackfen & Lamorbey the lowest (43.5). 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 Bexley over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Bexley 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.

Bexley has an estimated population of 256,434. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Bexley sits in decile 6.6, less 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 Bexley. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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