London Boroughs with the Highest Crime Rates Revealed
Recent crime data shows which London boroughs are facing the most challenges
London, UK, Crime Rates, Westminster, Camden, Kensington, Islington, Hackney, Hammersmith, Southwark
London: The Metropolitan Police have released some eye-opening crime stats. They show which boroughs in London are struggling the most with crime. The data covers everything from January 2021 to December 2024.
Overall, crime in London has been on the rise since 2021. Many think this spike is linked to the pandemic and the restrictions that came with it.
So, let’s dive into the boroughs with the highest crime rates. First up is Westminster. It’s a hotspot for tourists, which might explain its high theft rates. With famous landmarks like the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace, it’s no wonder criminals are drawn to the area. Out of nearly 305,000 crimes reported, over 178,000 were theft-related. The crime rate here is about 1,169.7 per 1,000 people.
Next is Camden, known for its vibrant markets and music scene. It’s also got a high crime rate, especially for theft and violence. Out of 144,495 reported crimes, around 64,000 were thefts. The crime rate stands at 582.6 per 1,000 people.
Kensington and Chelsea, despite being the smallest borough, has a high crime rate too. Theft and violence are the main issues, with a crime rate of 536.9 per 1,000 people. Its wealth makes it a target for criminals.
Then there’s Islington, which has seen a mix of crime trends. It reported 38,501 thefts out of 110,338 total crimes. The crime rate here is 463.4 per 1,000 people, but it’s been on a downward trend since last October.
Hackney is also in the top five, with a crime rate of 449.4 per 1,000 residents. It had the highest burglary rate in London last year, with 235 burglaries recorded in January 2024.
Hammersmith and Fulham follow closely behind, with a crime rate of 445.9 per 1,000 residents. The most common crimes here are sexual and violent offences, which increased by seven percent from the previous year.
Lastly, Southwark had the highest shoplifting rate in London as of September 2024, with a crime rate of 439 per 1,000 residents. It’s been a tough time for residents, especially during a spike in robberies back in June 2022.