As a safety expert and consultant, it is important to know which areas in London have the highest crime rates. Safety is a crucial factor in any city, but particularly in a bustling and diverse city like London. In this blog post, we will provide you with a comprehensive list of the top 10 London boroughs with the highest crime rates, along with relevant statistics and data.

Methodology

To arrive at our list of the top 10 London boroughs with the highest crime rates, we collected data from various reliable sources. We looked at the official crime statistics provided by the Metropolitan Police, as well as data from the Office for National Statistics. We used a variety of metrics to measure crime rates, including theft, burglary, robbery, violence, and sexual offences.

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Top 10 London Boroughs with the Highest Crime Rates

1. Westminster – With 96,267 reported crimes in 2021, Westminster tops the list of London’s boroughs with the highest crime rates. The borough has the highest number of thefts and violent crimes, with 27,063 and 16,437 reported cases respectively.

2. Camden – With 60,794 reported crimes, Camden is the second borough with the highest crime rates. The borough is known for its high rates of burglary, with 10,793 reported cases in 2021.

3. Southwark – With 58,059 reported crimes, Southwark comes in third on the list. The borough has the highest number of robbery cases, with 4,541 reported incidents in 2021.

4. Newham – With 56,617 reported crimes, Newham is the fourth borough with the highest crime rates. The borough has the highest number of vehicle crimes, with 17,747 reported incidents in 2021.

5. Tower Hamlets – With 55,547 reported crimes, Tower Hamlets is the fifth borough with the highest crime rates. The borough is known for its high rates of theft, with 12,987 reported incidents in 2021.

6. Hackney – With 54,784 reported crimes, Hackney is the sixth borough with the highest crime rates. The borough has the second-highest number of violent crimes, with 13,358 reported incidents in 2021.

7. Lambeth – With 54,127 reported crimes, Lambeth is the seventh borough with the highest crime rates. The borough has the third-highest number of violent crimes, with 12,978 reported incidents in 2021.

8. Islington – With 53,308 reported crimes, Islington is the eighth borough with the highest crime rates. The borough has the highest number of bicycle thefts, with 4,097 reported incidents in 2021.

9. Haringey – With 51,881 reported crimes, Haringey is the ninth borough with the highest crime rates. The borough has the second-highest number of burglary cases, with 8,946 reported incidents in 2021.

10. Ealing – With 50,316 reported crimes, Ealing is the tenth borough with the highest crime rates. The borough is known for its high rates of theft, with 10,934 reported incidents in 2021.

While the top 10 boroughs have the highest crime rates, the rest of London’s boroughs have relatively lower crime rates. Notable safety initiatives or measures are in place in each borough to address crime, such as increased police presence, community safety initiatives, and CCTV systems. It’s also important to note that crime can occur in any area, and it is important to remain vigilant and aware of your surroundings.

If you would like to take a look at the boroughs with the lowest crime rates, read our guide here. 

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