Crime in Kensington and Chelsea: statistics, rates and trends

25,550 crimes were recorded in Kensington and Chelsea in the 12 months to July 2026, 176.8 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 6% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 5,081 reports (20% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Kensington and Chelsea has the 25th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Kensington and Chelsea was highest in the year to July 2025 (27,217 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (25,550). Over the whole period it fell 1%, 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 Kensington and Chelsea 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 drugs (+18%) and shoplifting (+16%). The largest falls were in criminal damage and arson (-33%) and theft from the person (-29%).

Violence and sexual offences in Kensington and Chelsea

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Kensington and Chelsea recorded 5,081 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (35.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 19.9% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Kensington and Chelsea

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Kensington and Chelsea recorded 4,988 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (34.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 19.5% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Kensington and Chelsea

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Kensington and Chelsea recorded 3,282 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (22.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 12.8% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Kensington and Chelsea

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Kensington and Chelsea recorded 2,880 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (19.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 11.3% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Kensington and Chelsea

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Kensington and Chelsea recorded 2,086 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (14.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 8.2% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Kensington and Chelsea

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Kensington and Chelsea recorded 1,707 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 6.7% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Kensington and Chelsea

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Kensington and Chelsea recorded 1,282 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Kensington and Chelsea

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Kensington and Chelsea recorded 1,200 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Kensington and Chelsea

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Kensington and Chelsea recorded 1,143 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 18% on the year before. It made up 4.5% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Kensington and Chelsea

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Kensington and Chelsea recorded 766 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Kensington and Chelsea

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Kensington and Chelsea recorded 515 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Kensington and Chelsea

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Kensington and Chelsea recorded 329 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Kensington and Chelsea

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Kensington and Chelsea recorded 177 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 10% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Kensington and Chelsea

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Kensington and Chelsea recorded 114 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 down 14% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

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

18 areas within Kensington and Chelsea, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Colville had the highest rate (281.7 per 1,000) and Holland the lowest (89.8). 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 Kensington and Chelsea over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Kensington and Chelsea 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.

Kensington and Chelsea has an estimated population of 144,518. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Kensington and Chelsea sits in decile 5.4, 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 Kensington and Chelsea. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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