Crime Rate in London England 2025: Where It’s Rising and How to Stay Safe

The crime rate in London England is a topic of growing interest for residents, visitors, and anyone planning to move to the city. As one of Europe’s busiest capitals, London sees a wide range of criminal activity across its many boroughs. While some areas feel relatively safe, others experience higher levels of crime.

Understanding how crime affects different parts of the city helps you stay informed and prepared. In this article, we break down the latest crime trends, highlight hotspots, and share practical tips to help you navigate the city confidently.

Is Crime Really Rising in London?

It’s the question on everyone’s mind: is London getting more dangerous, or is it just the headlines making it seem that way?

The truth is a little more nuanced. Some types of crime are creeping up, while others are actually falling. And compared to other UK cities, London’s overall crime rate isn’t as extreme as you might think.

According to the latest annual data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), in the 12 months to December 2024, London recorded 957,481 crimes, which is a 2.6% increase (around 24,000 more offences than the previous year).

When you factor in London’s population of roughly 8.9 million, that works out at 107 crimes per 1,000 residents. To put that in context, it’s lower than Greater Manchester’s 109.9 per 1,000 and well below hotspots like Cleveland (124.6) or West Yorkshire (115).

Here’s where it gets interesting:

• Shoplifting has surged in London, up 54% year-on-year as footfall in shops and high streets returned post-pandemic.
• Theft from the person (think pickpocketing and bag snatches) is also up 41%, fuelled by phone thefts and crowded tourist zones.
• On the flip side, some serious crimes are down: violent offences with injury dropped 15%, possession of weapons fell 20%, and stalking/harassment dropped 10%.

Now, to look at the long-term trend, CrimeRate UK’s London crime risk scores reveal that the capital’s crime risk is actually down by 63 points over the last decade, and down by 8.19 points over the last 5 years.

This contradiction means crime rate in London England is improving overall—but headlines often spotlight short-term spikes, which understandably cause concern.

What Are the Most Common Crimes?

When you break it down, London’s crime picture is dominated by theft, followed by violence and vehicle offences.

Here’s what the latest Met Police data (Jan–June 2025) shows:

London’s crowds, thriving tourism, and high smartphone usage make it a prime target for petty criminals.

Shoplifting is up sharply, with 45,224 offences in just last six months. According to ONS’s data, shoplifting is up by 54% year on year in the 12 months to Dec 2024, reporting 10 crimes per 1,000 residents.

Mobile phone theft is a major driver. In 2024 alone, the Met Police reported around 80,000 stolen phones in London, a huge jump from 64,000 in 2023 (that’s a 25% increase).

This uptick in theft reflects a nationwide trend, too. Across England and Wales, ONS data for December 2024 showed shoplifting up 20%, reaching the highest levels since modern records began in 2003.

Where Are the Crime Hotspots?

Not all parts of London face the same crime pressures. The highest volumes tend to cluster in busy, central boroughs with heavy foot traffic, nightlife, and major transport hubs.

London’s Highest-Volume Boroughs (Jan–Jun 2025)

Here’s a look at the top boroughs for reported crime in early 2025:

High-Street & Transport Hotspots to Watch

The Met and City Hall have flagged 32 priority areas for extra policing this summer, covering high streets and town centres where theft, robbery and anti-social behaviour are most concentrated.

These include:

• Stratford
• Woolwich Town Centre
• Finsbury Park
• Croydon Town Centre
• Shepherd’s Bush Green
• Elephant & Castle
• Seven Sisters
• The West End

Together, these locations account for around:

• 10% of all knife crime in London
• 24% of theft from person incidents
• 6% of all anti-social behaviour reports

Is London Safe Compared to Other UK Cities?

So how does London stack up against the rest of the UK when it comes to crime? The short answer: it’s somewhere in the middle.

While some parts of the capital have high crime levels, the overall rate is not as extreme as you might think, and in fact, London isn’t the most “dangerous” city in the country.

Here’s how London compares:

Source: ONS police-recorded crime statistics, year ending Dec 2024

So, while London’s crime rate isn’t insignificant, it’s far from the highest in the UK. Acquisitive crimes like theft push the numbers up, especially in crowded central areas.

What’s Being Done to Address Crime?

London’s authorities are throwing plenty of resources at tackling crime, especially the surge in phone thefts, shoplifting, and anti-social behaviour in busy areas.

More police in high-crime zones

The Met Police has launched extra patrols and plain-clothes operations across 32 hotspot areas, including Stratford, Croydon, and the West End. These efforts have already led to over 200 arrests and 1,000 stolen phones recovered in the West End alone.

Cracking down on phone theft

A new national phone-theft taskforce is working with Apple, Google and UK networks to introduce a “kill-switch”, making stolen devices useless to thieves. Meanwhile, Met detectives recently busted a gang linked to 13 violent phone-shop robberies after months of surveillance.

Tackling retail crime

Retailers have warned that shoplifting is “spiralling out of control.” In response, the government is planning tougher penalties and a new offence to protect retail workers from abuse and assault.

Youth programmes to prevent violence

The Mayor’s Violence Reduction Unit secured an extra £9.4m for 2025/26 to fund mentoring programmes, after-school activities and community projects proven to reduce knife crime.

National fund schemes

At a national level, schemes like the Safer Streets Fund and Hotspot Policing Fund are paying for better lighting, CCTV and alley gating in problem areas.

Smart technology integration

London’s boroughs are adopting advanced surveillance tools, including facial recognition cameras, license plate recognition (ANPR) systems, and real-time AI analytics to monitor patterns and respond quickly to crime hotspots. Enhanced CCTV networks are also helping to increase both prevention and prosecution rates.

Tips for Staying Safe in London

London is generally safe for most people, but like any big city, it pays to be cautious, especially in busy areas or late at night. Here are some practical tips to help you stay secure:

Personal Safety Tips

• Keep your belongings close and secure. Use zipped bags and don’t leave phones or wallets in easily accessible pockets.
• Avoid wearing headphones or becoming distracted while walking alone, particularly at night.
• Choose well-lit streets and avoid shortcuts through alleys or parks after dark.
• Remain alert in busy areas such as public transport hubs, markets, and nightlife districts where pickpocketing is common.

Transport Safety Tips

• Use official and licensed transport services. Black cabs and verified ride-hailing apps like Uber or Bolt are recommended.
• If traveling late at night, opt for Transport for London (TfL) night buses or well-populated train carriages.
• Avoid isolated sections of Tube stations and bus stops, especially during off-peak hours.

Digital and Identity Safety Tips

• Be cautious when using public Wi-Fi. Avoid entering sensitive information or accessing banking apps without a secure connection.
• Enable two-factor authentication and use a password manager for online accounts.
• Shield your PIN when using ATMs and avoid machines located in low-traffic or poorly lit areas.

Home Safety Tips

Keeping yourself safe on London’s streets is important, but it’s just as vital to make sure your home is secure too. Simple steps like double-locking doors, fitting key-operated window locks, and using timer switches for lights or radios can make a big difference.

Once you’ve nailed those basics, adding smart home security cameras and sensors can take things to the next level. eufy’s range is ideal here. It’s designed to give you full control and peace of mind without locking you into expensive monthly fees.

Here’s how you can layer up your home protection:

eufy SoloCam S340

This solar-powered eufy SoloCam S340 is perfect for outdoor spaces. It combines a 3K wide-angle lens and a 2K telephoto lens, giving you crisp detail even at 8× zoom, while its 360° pan and 70° tilt means it can track movement across your whole garden.

The built-in solar panel keeps the battery topped up, so you don’t need to worry about cables or constant recharging. With 8GB local storage and on-device AI, your footage stays private, and you avoid ongoing costs.

eufy Indoor Cam S350

For indoors, the eufy Indoor Cam S350 is a powerful all-rounder. It pairs a 4K wide-angle lens with a 2K telephoto to give a sharp, close-up view wherever you need it. The camera can pan 360° and tilt 75° to cover an entire room and features 8× hybrid zoom for pinpoint detail.

Thanks to its f/1.6 aperture and infrared LEDs, it delivers clear images even up to 10 metres in the dark. And because the AI runs on-device, your private moments stay private.

eufy Video Doorbell E340

The eufy Video Doorbell E340 is ideal for keeping an eye on your front door. It uses two lenses —a 2K front camera and a downward-facing camera for packages—so you can see visitors and deliveries at the same time. Colour night vision, two-way audio, and smart AI detection mean you’re alerted to people, faces or packages instantly.

You can run it on battery (lasting up to six months per charge) or hardwire it, and its 8GB onboard storage ensures you never miss a moment, even if your Wi-Fi drops.

eufy 5-Piece Home Alarm Kit

This simple but effective eufy Home Alarm Kit includes a HomeBase, a keypad, a motion sensor and two entry sensors, all of which can be installed in minutes. The motion sensor and door/window sensors have impressive battery life, up to two years for the sensors and about six months for the keypad. You can arm or disarm the system from your phone or directly on the keypad, and customise sensor sensitivity to avoid false alarms from pets.

Conclusion

The crime rate in London England reflects both long-term improvement and short-term challenges. While incidents like theft and robbery remain common in busy districts, the overall crime risk has declined over the past decade. With renewed police investment, technology-driven surveillance, and community engagement, London remains safer than several other major UK cities. Whether you’re living in or visiting the capital, staying informed and taking basic safety precautions can make a meaningful difference.

FAQs

What is the crime level in London?

According to ONS’s latest data, London’s overall crime rate sits around 107 offences per 1,000 residents in the year to December 2024, putting it mid-table among UK police areas. It’s lower than Manchester (109.9) and West Yorkshire (115), but above West Midlands (105.3). That number reflects a mix: acquisitive crimes like shoplifting and phone theft are up, but serious offences such as violent crime and weapons possession have fallen.

Which area in London has the lowest crime rate?

Safest areas are predominantly outer boroughs. Richmond upon Thames consistently tops safety charts at around 54–61 recorded crimes per 1,000 residents. Kingston upon Thames and Sutton also feature low crime rates, with roughly 62 per 1,000. These leafy, suburban boroughs offer a calmer, family‑friendly atmosphere with significantly fewer incidents than inner‑city areas.

Which part of London has the highest crime rate?

Central London boroughs report the highest crime levels. Westminster has the highest recorded crime—over 40,000 incidents in the first half of 2025, equivalent to roughly 432 per 1,000 residents. Camden and Newham follow closely, with around 195 and nearly 20,000 reported offences respectively in the same period. These areas see elevated theft, violent crime, and anti-social behaviour, driven in part by high tourist and commuter footfall.

Related Blogs

Check out more articles about crime data in UK

• Top 10 Most Dangerous Boroughs in London
• Crime Rates in Britain 2025: Trends, Hotspots & Safety Tips
• Top 10 UK Cities with the Highest Knife Crime Rates