Crime in Hackney: statistics, rates and trends

39,179 crimes were recorded in Hackney in the 12 months to July 2026, 146.9 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 violence and sexual offences, with 9,003 reports (23% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Hackney has the 72nd highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Hackney was highest in the year to July 2021 (44,261 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (37,240). Over the whole period it rose 5%, 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 Hackney 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, theft from the person, other theft.

The largest increases were in possession of weapons (+40%) and shoplifting (+14%). The largest falls were in criminal damage and arson (-24%) and vehicle crime (-16%).

Violence and sexual offences in Hackney

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Hackney recorded 9,003 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (33.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 23.0% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Hackney

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Hackney recorded 7,894 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (29.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 20.1% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Hackney

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Hackney recorded 4,101 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 10.5% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Hackney

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Hackney recorded 3,090 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 7.9% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Hackney

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Hackney recorded 2,635 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 6.7% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Hackney

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Hackney recorded 2,233 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Hackney

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Hackney recorded 2,037 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 5.2% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Hackney

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Hackney recorded 1,861 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Hackney

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Hackney recorded 1,809 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 4.6% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Hackney

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Hackney recorded 1,485 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Hackney

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Hackney recorded 1,235 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 24% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Hackney

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Hackney recorded 1,196 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Hackney

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Hackney recorded 318 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 7% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Hackney

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Hackney recorded 282 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 40% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

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

21 areas within Hackney, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Hoxton East & Shoreditch had the highest rate (349.9 per 1,000) and Cazenove the lowest (61.5). 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 Hackney over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Hackney 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.

Hackney has an estimated population of 266,758. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Hackney sits in decile 3.1, more 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 Hackney. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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