Crime in Southwark: statistics, rates and trends

49,003 crimes were recorded in Southwark in the 12 months to July 2026, 155.7 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 violence and sexual offences, with 10,189 reports (21% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Southwark has the 49th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Southwark was highest in the year to July 2025 (49,528 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2022 (42,073). Over the whole period it rose 15%, 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 Southwark 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 (+34%). The largest falls were in criminal damage and arson (-25%) and shoplifting (-16%).

Violence and sexual offences in Southwark

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Southwark recorded 10,189 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (32.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 20.8% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Southwark

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Southwark recorded 9,551 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (30.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 1% on the year before. It made up 19.5% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Southwark

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Southwark recorded 7,037 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (22.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 14.4% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Southwark

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Southwark recorded 5,041 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (16.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 10.3% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Southwark

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Southwark recorded 3,203 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 6.5% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Southwark

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Southwark recorded 2,421 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 4.9% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Southwark

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Southwark recorded 2,287 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Southwark

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Southwark recorded 2,133 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Southwark

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Southwark recorded 1,995 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 4.1% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Southwark

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Southwark recorded 1,842 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Southwark

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Southwark recorded 1,460 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 25% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Southwark

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Southwark recorded 1,108 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Southwark

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Southwark recorded 406 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Southwark

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Southwark recorded 330 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 34% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

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

23 areas within Southwark, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Borough & Bankside had the highest rate (448.9 per 1,000) and Peckham Rye the lowest (56.2). 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 Southwark over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Southwark 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.

Southwark has an estimated population of 314,786. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Southwark sits in decile 4.5, 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 Southwark. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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