Crime in Croydon: statistics, rates and trends

42,277 crimes were recorded in Croydon in the 12 months to July 2026, 104.2 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 3% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 12,708 reports (30% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Croydon has the 313th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Croydon was highest in the year to July 2020 (44,092 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (37,157). Over the whole period it rose 14%, 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 Croydon 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, drugs.

The largest increases were in possession of weapons (+44%). The largest falls were in criminal damage and arson (-26%) and other crime (-17%).

Violence and sexual offences in Croydon

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Croydon recorded 12,708 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (31.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 30.1% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Croydon

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Croydon recorded 8,753 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (21.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 20.7% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Croydon

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Croydon recorded 3,658 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 8.7% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Croydon

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Croydon recorded 3,545 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 8.4% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Croydon

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Croydon recorded 2,650 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 6.3% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Croydon

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Croydon recorded 2,394 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Croydon

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Croydon recorded 2,102 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Croydon

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Croydon recorded 1,926 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 4.6% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Croydon

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Croydon recorded 1,693 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 4.0% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Croydon

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Croydon recorded 999 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Croydon

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Croydon recorded 802 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Croydon

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Croydon recorded 501 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Croydon

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Croydon recorded 341 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 44% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Croydon

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Croydon recorded 205 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.

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

28 areas within Croydon, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Fairfield had the highest rate (315.9 per 1,000) and Sanderstead the lowest (36.0). 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 Croydon over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Croydon 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.

Croydon has an estimated population of 405,659. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Croydon sits in decile 5.0, 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 Croydon. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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