Crime in Tower Hamlets: statistics, rates and trends

48,015 crimes were recorded in Tower Hamlets in the 12 months to July 2026, 144.7 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 2% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 11,922 reports (25% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Tower Hamlets has the 77th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Tower Hamlets was highest in the year to July 2021 (53,072 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (44,505). Over the whole period it rose 8%, 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 Tower Hamlets 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, other theft, shoplifting.

The largest increases were in shoplifting (+40%) and possession of weapons (+31%). The largest falls were in criminal damage and arson (-24%).

Violence and sexual offences in Tower Hamlets

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Tower Hamlets recorded 11,922 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (35.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 24.8% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Tower Hamlets

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Tower Hamlets recorded 10,691 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (32.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 22.3% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Tower Hamlets

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Tower Hamlets recorded 3,824 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 8.0% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Tower Hamlets

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Tower Hamlets recorded 3,752 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 40% on the year before. It made up 7.8% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Tower Hamlets

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Tower Hamlets recorded 2,798 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Tower Hamlets

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Tower Hamlets recorded 2,735 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Tower Hamlets

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Tower Hamlets recorded 2,625 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 5.5% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Tower Hamlets

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Tower Hamlets recorded 2,596 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 5.4% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Tower Hamlets

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Tower Hamlets recorded 2,435 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 up 11% on the year before. It made up 5.1% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Tower Hamlets

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Tower Hamlets recorded 1,542 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 24% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Tower Hamlets

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Tower Hamlets recorded 1,297 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Tower Hamlets

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Tower Hamlets recorded 1,045 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Tower Hamlets

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Tower Hamlets recorded 470 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 8% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Tower Hamlets

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Tower Hamlets recorded 283 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 31% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

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

20 areas within Tower Hamlets, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Spitalfields & Banglatown had the highest rate (250.9 per 1,000) and Island Gardens the lowest (79.2). 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 Tower Hamlets over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Tower Hamlets 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.

Tower Hamlets has an estimated population of 331,886. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Tower Hamlets sits in decile 3.4, 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 Tower Hamlets. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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