Analysis of crime in London provides insight into the prevalence of crime in the capital as well as comparisons with other parts of England and Wales and major cities overseas. Recent data offers a snapshot of trends and patterns of behaviour and an opportunity to see how crime rates in London today compare with figures from previous years. In this guide, we’ll evaluate the data to give you an accurate idea of crime rates in London in 2024.
An overview of crime in London
The most recent data shows that the overall crime rate in London in 2024 is 106 crimes per 1,000 people. The most common crimes are violence and sexual offences, which account for almost 270,000 crimes per year. The annual rate for violent crime in London is approximately 88% of the average rate for England and Wales. Despite the rate of violent crime being lower than the national average in London, there has been an increase in the number of violent and sexual crimes since 2023. Violent crimes in London occupy a share of 23.1% of all crimes in the area, which is lower than the rate for England and Wales (34.3%).
Data linked to crime in London paints a picture of the current situation across the wider metropolitan region, but it also offers a breakdown of crime rates in different boroughs. It is important to note that there are significant variations between boroughs. Some, for example, Hackney and Westminster, have much higher statistics than the national average while others, such as Richmond-upon-Thames, Kingston-upon-Thames and Harrow, are much lower.
What are the most common crimes in London?
Figures from May 2023 to April 2024 suggest that the most common crimes in London include:
- Violent crime and sexual offences
- Antisocial behaviour
- Other theft
In total, there were 226,676 cases of violent crime and sexual offences within the given period, which accounts for 23% of crimes. There were 194,171 cases of antisocial behaviour, which represents 20% of all crimes. A further 12% of crimes were classed as ‘other theft.’
How does London compare to other global cities?
According to Numbeo, London’s crime index is 54.6. The safety index is 45.4. The crime index is an estimation of overall crime rates for a specific city or country. A figure between 20 and 40 is considered low, 40-60 is classed as moderate and over 60 is considered high. The safety index offers insight into how safe people feel. The higher the score, the better. London’s crime index is in the moderate band and it currently stands in 87th place on the list of cities with the highest crime index.
Statistics from 2024 show the following comparisons with other major global cities:
Cities with high crime indices:
- Pietermaritzburg, South Africa: 82.5 (1st place)
- Pretoria, SA: 81.9
- Rio de Janeiro: 77.5
- Memphis, US: 76.5
- Alice Springs, Australia: 72.1
- Lagos, Nigeria: 68.4
- Mexico City: 67.7
- Marseille, France: 65.9
- Buenos Aires, Argentina: 63.5
- Naples, Italy: 62.6
- Nairobi, Kenya: 59.5
- Paris, France: 57.7
UK comparisons with London (54.6)
- Bradford: 68.1
- Coventry: 64.9
- Birmingham: 63.5
- Manchester: 55.3
- Nottingham: 50.8
- Liverpool: 48.4
Cities with high safety indices
- Abu Dhabi: 88.2
- Munich: 79.7
- Bern, Switzerland: 78.9
- Singapore: 77
- Reykjavik: 75.8
The highest rating in the UK is Edinburgh (68.9).
Which London boroughs have the highest crime rates?
Statistics show that the most dangerous boroughs in London are:
- Hackney
- Westminster
- Southwark
This list has been compiled based on analysing the severity of crimes as well as the crime rate. It is important to note that the order changes when basing it on the number of crimes. In this case, Westminster (462.8/1,000 people) tops the list followed by Camden (197.8), Kensington and Chelsea (174.5) and Islington (145.2).
Which London boroughs are the safest?
Based on an analysis of the severity and nature of crimes, in addition to the overall crime rate, the safest boroughs in London include:
- Richmond-upon-Thames
- Kingston-upon-Thames
- Harrow
The order is slightly different when based on the overall crime rate. Richmond remains top (59.54/1,000 people) ahead of Sutton (65.5), Bexley (65.74) and Harrow (66.14).
Crime trends in London
Crime rates have increased in London, but the statistics paint a fairly complex picture. Rates, which provide insight into the total number of crimes, have grown at a steadier rate compared to the national average, but there are significant regional differences. One of the most important points to note is the increase in violent crime in the London region. London currently has the second-lowest rate of all regions in England and Wales. Despite this, case numbers are rising rather than falling, which is bucking the national trend. Rates of violent crime and sexual offences have decreased by over 5% across England and Wales. In London, they have risen by 6.7%.
In addition to increases in violent crimes and sexual offences, these crimes are on the rise:
- Theft: cases of theft in London have risen by 18%
- Shoplifting: cases of shoplifting have increased by 41%
- Robbery: cases of robbery have increased by 21%
The safety index highlights common concerns among Londoners, which include walking alone in the city after dark, worries about theft and burglary, fear of being attacked and concerns about drugs.
Security in London
Rising crime rates have an impact on how safe people feel when they live in or visit London, which affects the decisions they make. For individuals and businesses, it’s wise to be proactive in protecting homes and commercial premises by taking out robust insurance. Business owners should also consider investing in enhanced security measures to tackle problems ranging from violent crime and abuse to theft and robbery.
If you’re looking for cutting-edge security solutions in London, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Conclusion
London is one of the most vibrant cities in the world but it has its problems. Although London has a moderate crime index, which is significantly lower than many other major global cities, overall crime rates have increased. The data shows some particularly worrying trends, including a rise in violent crimes and sexual offences, theft and shoplifting.
Sources:
https://www.plumplot.co.uk/London-violent-crime-statistics.html#
https://crimerate.co.uk/london
https://www.numbeo.com/crime/in/London
https://www.numbeo.com/crime/rankings.jsp
https://www.adt.co.uk/crime-in-my-area/london-crime-rates
https://www.movingwaldo.com/where-to-live/safest-boroughs-in-london
