Crime in City and County of the City of London: statistics, rates and trends
9,805 crimes were recorded in City and County of the City of London in the 12 months to July 2026, 648.9 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 City and County of the City of London at a glance
- Crime trends in City and County of the City of London
- Types of crime in City and County of the City of London
- City and County of the City of London compared with nearby towns
- Areas within City and County of the City of London
- Streets with the most crime in City and County of the City of London
- What happened after crimes were reported in City and County of the City of London
- Population and deprivation in City and County of the City of London
- Questions about crime in City and County of the City of London
- About this data
9,805 crimes were recorded in City and County of the City of London in the 12 months to July 2026, 648.9 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 other theft, with 2,395 reports (24% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, City and County of the City of London has the 1st highest crime rate.
| Measure | City and County of the City of London | City of London | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 9,805 | 9,805 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 648.9 | 648.9 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -2% | -2% | -1% |
| Population | 15,111 | 15,111 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in City and County of the City of London was highest in the year to July 2024 (10,075 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (5,208). Over the whole period it rose 24%, 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 | 9,805 | 648.9 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 10,012 | 662.6 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 10,075 | 666.7 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 9,276 | 613.9 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 8,903 | 589.2 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 5,208 | 344.6 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 7,735 | 511.9 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 9,218 | 610.0 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 7,889 | 522.1 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 738 |
| June 2026 | 764 |
| May 2026 | 717 |
| April 2026 | 795 |
| March 2026 | 816 |
| February 2026 | 821 |
| January 2026 | 830 |
| December 2025 | 919 |
| November 2025 | 805 |
| October 2025 | 907 |
| September 2025 | 779 |
| August 2025 | 914 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in City and County of the City of 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 other theft, shoplifting, violence and sexual offences.
The largest increases were in bicycle theft (+54%) and vehicle crime (+50%). The largest falls were in other crime (-45%) and possession of weapons (-36%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other theft | 2,395 | 158.5 | 24.79 | +12% |
| Shoplifting | 1,634 | 108.1 | 13.05 | -0% |
| Violence and sexual offences | 1,500 | 99.3 | 2.90 | -11% |
| Theft from the person | 1,272 | 84.2 | 49.83 | -26% |
| Public order | 629 | 41.6 | 6.27 | -8% |
| Burglary | 475 | 31.4 | 8.89 | +12% |
| Drugs | 461 | 30.5 | 9.33 | +16% |
| Bicycle theft | 364 | 24.1 | 29.27 | +54% |
| Robbery | 305 | 20.2 | 14.94 | +31% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 299 | 19.8 | 2.92 | -11% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 194 | 12.8 | 0.84 | -23% |
| Vehicle crime | 184 | 12.2 | 2.47 | +50% |
| Other crime | 49 | 3.2 | 1.54 | -45% |
| Possession of weapons | 44 | 2.9 | 3.00 | -36% |
Other theft in City and County of the City of London
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. City and County of the City of London recorded 2,395 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (158.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 24.4% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in City and County of the City of London
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. City and County of the City of London recorded 1,634 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (108.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 16.7% of all crime in the area.
Violence and sexual offences in City and County of the City of London
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. City and County of the City of London recorded 1,500 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (99.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 15.3% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in City and County of the City of London
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. City and County of the City of London recorded 1,272 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (84.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 13.0% of all crime in the area.
Public order in City and County of the City of London
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. City and County of the City of London recorded 629 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (41.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 6.4% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in City and County of the City of London
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. City and County of the City of London recorded 475 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (31.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in City and County of the City of London
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. City and County of the City of London recorded 461 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (30.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in City and County of the City of London
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. City and County of the City of London recorded 364 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (24.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 54% on the year before. It made up 3.7% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in City and County of the City of London
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. City and County of the City of London recorded 305 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (20.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 31% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in City and County of the City of London
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. City and County of the City of London recorded 299 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (19.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in City and County of the City of London
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. City and County of the City of London recorded 194 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in City and County of the City of London
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. City and County of the City of London recorded 184 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 50% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in City and County of the City of London
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. City and County of the City of London recorded 49 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 45% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in City and County of the City of London
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. City and County of the City of London recorded 44 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 36% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to City and County of the City of London, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to City and County of the City of London.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs City and County of the City of London |
|---|---|---|---|
| Islington | 41,000 | 183.8 | -72% |
| Tower Hamlets | 48,015 | 144.7 | -78% |
| Southwark | 49,003 | 155.7 | -76% |
| Hackney | 39,179 | 146.9 | -77% |
| Camden | 46,655 | 218.2 | -66% |
| City of Westminster | 87,349 | 416.0 | -36% |
| Lambeth | 48,427 | 153.6 | -76% |
| Kensington and Chelsea | 25,550 | 176.8 | -73% |
5 areas within City and County of the City of London, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Walbrook had the highest rate (1,779.8 per 1,000) and Aldersgate the lowest (98.5). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walbrook | Neighbourhood | 3,679 | 6,548 | 1,779.8 |
| Farringdon Without | Neighbourhood | 2,381 | 1,480 | 621.6 |
| Portsoken | Neighbourhood | 2,391 | 853 | 356.8 |
| Cripplegate | Neighbourhood | 4,488 | 710 | 158.2 |
| Aldersgate | Neighbourhood | 2,172 | 214 | 98.5 |
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 City and County of the City of London over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Shopping Area | 457 |
| On or near Bishopsgate | 261 |
| On or near Supermarket | 246 |
| On or near Liverpool Street | 242 |
| On or near Holborn | 225 |
| On or near Victoria Avenue | 204 |
| On or near Southampton Buildings | 201 |
| On or near New Street | 192 |
| On or near Circus Place | 191 |
| On or near Little Somerset Street | 176 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in City and County of the City of 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.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 5,079 | 51.8% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 1,761 | 18.0% |
| Under investigation | 869 | 8.9% |
| Status update unavailable | 758 | 7.7% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 626 | 6.4% |
| Court result unavailable | 227 | 2.3% |
| Not recorded | 194 | 2.0% |
| Local resolution | 186 | 1.9% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 41 | 0.4% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 23 | 0.2% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 20 | 0.2% |
| Offender given a caution | 8 | 0.1% |
City and County of the City of London has an estimated population of 15,111. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in City and County of the City of London sits in decile 7.8, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | City and County of the City of London |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 4.7% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 86.0% |
| Aged 65 and over | 9.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 36.7% |
| Social rented homes | 14.8% |
| Private rented homes | 48.4% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 7.8 |
Is City and County of the City of London a safe place to live?
City and County of the City of London recorded 648.9 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 City and County of the City of London?
Other theft was the most common category, with 2,395 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by shoplifting (1,634).
Is crime in City and County of the City of London going up or down?
Recorded crime in City and County of the City of London was down 2% on the year before: 9,805 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 10,012 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers City and County of the City of London?
City and County of the City of London is policed by City of London. Non-emergency crimes can be reported online to the force or by calling 101; in an emergency call 999.
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 City and County of the City of London. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.