Crime in Lewisham: statistics, rates and trends

36,975 crimes were recorded in Lewisham in the 12 months to July 2026, 122.7 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 3% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 11,128 reports (30% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Lewisham has the 163rd highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Lewisham was highest in the year to July 2020 (37,501 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (31,474). Over the whole period it rose 17%, 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 Lewisham 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, vehicle crime.

The largest increases were in shoplifting (+64%) and possession of weapons (+57%). The largest falls were in criminal damage and arson (-28%) and theft from the person (-23%).

Violence and sexual offences in Lewisham

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Lewisham recorded 11,128 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (36.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 30.1% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Lewisham

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Lewisham recorded 7,190 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (23.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 19.4% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Lewisham

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Lewisham recorded 3,220 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 64% on the year before. It made up 8.7% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Lewisham

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Lewisham recorded 2,612 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 7.1% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Lewisham

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Lewisham recorded 2,474 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 6.7% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Lewisham

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Lewisham recorded 2,250 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Lewisham

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Lewisham recorded 1,686 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 4.6% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Lewisham

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Lewisham recorded 1,575 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 4.3% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Lewisham

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Lewisham recorded 1,469 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 28% on the year before. It made up 4.0% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Lewisham

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Lewisham recorded 1,216 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Lewisham

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Lewisham recorded 1,037 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Lewisham

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Lewisham recorded 423 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 1% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Lewisham

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Lewisham recorded 351 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 57% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Lewisham

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Lewisham recorded 344 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

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

19 areas within Lewisham, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Lewisham Central had the highest rate (264.2 per 1,000) and Telegraph Hill the lowest (81.1). 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 Lewisham over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Lewisham 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.

Lewisham has an estimated population of 301,255. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Lewisham sits in decile 4.1, 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 Lewisham. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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