Crime in Merton: statistics, rates and trends

16,295 crimes were recorded in Merton in the 12 months to July 2026, 74.6 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 7% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 4,926 reports (30% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Merton has the 705th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Merton was highest in the year to July 2020 (19,195 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (16,295). Over the whole period it fell 4%, 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 Merton 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 bicycle theft.

The largest increases were in possession of weapons (+20%) and bicycle theft (+14%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-33%) and criminal damage and arson (-30%).

Violence and sexual offences in Merton

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Merton recorded 4,926 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (22.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 30.2% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Merton

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Merton recorded 3,452 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 21.2% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Merton

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Merton recorded 1,303 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 8.0% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Merton

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Merton recorded 1,273 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 7.8% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Merton

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Merton recorded 1,175 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 1% on the year before. It made up 7.2% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Merton

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Merton recorded 937 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Merton

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Merton recorded 717 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 30% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Merton

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Merton recorded 670 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 4.1% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Merton

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Merton recorded 647 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 4.0% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Merton

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Merton recorded 325 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Merton

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Merton recorded 314 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Merton

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Merton recorded 232 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 up 14% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Merton

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Merton recorded 223 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Merton

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Merton recorded 101 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 20% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

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

20 areas within Merton, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Cricket Green had the highest rate (117.1 per 1,000) and Cannon Hill the lowest (32.5). 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 Merton over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Merton 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.

Merton has an estimated population of 218,539. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Merton sits in decile 6.8, less 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 Merton. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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