Crime in City of Westminster: statistics, rates and trends

87,349 crimes were recorded in City of Westminster in the 12 months to July 2026, 416.0 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 14% on the year before. The most common offence was theft from the person, with 17,843 reports (20% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, City of Westminster has the 2nd highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in City of Westminster was highest in the year to July 2024 (103,512 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (58,771). Over the whole period it rose 23%, 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 City of Westminster 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 theft from the person, other theft, anti-social behaviour.

The largest increases were in possession of weapons (+66%) and drugs (+36%). The largest falls were in theft from the person (-40%) and vehicle crime (-29%).

Theft from the person in City of Westminster

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. City of Westminster recorded 17,843 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (85.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 40% on the year before. It made up 20.4% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in City of Westminster

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. City of Westminster recorded 15,148 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (72.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 17.3% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in City of Westminster

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. City of Westminster recorded 13,474 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (64.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 15.4% of all crime in the area.

Violence and sexual offences in City of Westminster

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. City of Westminster recorded 12,949 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (61.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 14.8% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in City of Westminster

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. City of Westminster recorded 9,116 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (43.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 27% on the year before. It made up 10.4% of all crime in the area.

Public order in City of Westminster

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. City of Westminster recorded 3,875 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (18.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in City of Westminster

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. City of Westminster recorded 3,072 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (14.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 36% on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in City of Westminster

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. City of Westminster recorded 2,836 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in City of Westminster

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. City of Westminster recorded 2,787 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in City of Westminster

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. City of Westminster recorded 2,558 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in City of Westminster

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. City of Westminster recorded 1,765 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 27% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in City of Westminster

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. City of Westminster recorded 1,008 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in City of Westminster

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. City of Westminster recorded 494 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in City of Westminster

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. City of Westminster recorded 424 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 66% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

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

18 areas within City of Westminster, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. West End had the highest rate (2,244.6 per 1,000) and Abbey Road the lowest (75.9). 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 City of Westminster over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in City of Westminster 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.

City of Westminster has an estimated population of 209,996. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in City of Westminster sits in decile 4.7, 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 City of Westminster. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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