Crime in Islington: statistics, rates and trends

41,000 crimes were recorded in Islington in the 12 months to July 2026, 183.8 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 1% on the year before. The most common offence was anti-social behaviour, with 9,187 reports (22% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Islington has the 20th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Islington was highest in the year to July 2025 (41,569 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2022 (35,225). Over the whole period it rose 12%, 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 Islington 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, shoplifting, other theft.

The largest increases were in possession of weapons (+63%) and shoplifting (+27%). The largest falls were in criminal damage and arson (-34%) and vehicle crime (-26%).

Anti-social behaviour in Islington

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Islington recorded 9,187 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (41.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 22.4% of all crime in the area.

Violence and sexual offences in Islington

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Islington recorded 8,863 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (39.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 21.6% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Islington

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Islington recorded 4,262 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (19.1 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.

Other theft in Islington

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Islington recorded 3,722 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (16.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 9.1% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Islington

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Islington recorded 3,621 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (16.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 8.8% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Islington

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Islington recorded 2,317 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Islington

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Islington recorded 1,849 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 4.5% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Islington

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Islington recorded 1,800 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Islington

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Islington recorded 1,537 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 3.7% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Islington

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Islington recorded 1,309 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Islington

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Islington recorded 1,152 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 34% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Islington

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Islington recorded 808 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Islington

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Islington recorded 328 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Islington

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Islington recorded 245 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 63% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

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

17 areas within Islington, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Bunhill had the highest rate (304.0 per 1,000) and Mildmay the lowest (100.4). 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 Islington over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Islington 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.

Islington has an estimated population of 223,024. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Islington sits in decile 3.8, 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 Islington. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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