Crime Rate in Kensington and Chelsea: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Kensington and Chelsea

The total recorded crimes in Kensington and Chelsea, UK in May 2025 are around 2,395 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Kensington and Chelsea crime rate of 16.70 per 1,000 population.

It's important to note that this crime data is based on the Geographic Boundry data provided by the ONS around Kensington and Chelsea, encompassing approximately 143,373 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during May were:

  • Anti-social behaviour: (500) incidents (13.90% increase)
  • Violence and sexual offences: (468) incidents (0.21% increase)
  • Shoplifting: (321) incidents (32.10% increase)
Kensington and Chelsea Crime Hotspots

The surrounding areas of below locations have emerged as crime hotspots,

  • Supermarket with total crimes: 75
  • Shopping Area with total crimes: 66
  • Fenelon Place with total crimes: 30

Kensington and Chelsea Police Info:

Metropolitan Police Service

How safe is Kensington and Chelsea?

To understand the safety of Kensington and Chelsea, we need to analyze Kensington and Chelsea crime statistics in relation to both national and regional averages. This report will examine the available data and provide a balanced assessment.

  • Relative to the UK:

    • Kensington and Chelsea has recorded 17,023 crimes in the current year, resulting in a crime rate of 118.73 per 1,000 residents. This places it at rank 79 out of 331 in the UK, indicating it is more dangerous than average.

    • Yearly trends show that in the previous year, the city recorded 28,947 crimes with a crime rate of 201.90, ranking it 8 in the UK. This a decrease in crime suggests Positive changes.

  • Relative to Inner London:

    • In 2024, Kensington and Chelsea demonstrated a lower crime volume than the Inner London average, with 17023 crimes compared to 41876.0. This suggests a relatively safer position within the region for the year. Furthermore, Kensington and Chelsea witnessed more crimes than 12 out of 13 other cities.

    • In 2023, Kensington and Chelsea had fewer crimes than the Inner London average, with 28,947 crimes compared to 65,978. This reflects a relatively lower crime rate for the city within the region that year. Furthermore, Kensington and Chelsea witnessed more crimes than 12 out of 13 other cities.

  • Overall Assessment:

    • Based on the available data, Kensington and Chelsea is considered more dangerous compared to the national averages.

    • Compared to other cities in Inner London, Kensington and Chelsea has a lower crime rate in 2024.

    • The trend in crime rates suggests Positive changes in overall safety.

Kensington and Chelsea Crime Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, Royal Hospital (292 crimes), and the safest, Abingdon (63 crimes), is 229 crimes. This noticeable difference indicates a clear disparity in safety across Kensington and Chelsea.

Similarly, the area of Hans Town (319 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to West Brompton (57 crimes), with a difference of 262 crimes. This noticeable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Kensington and Chelsea.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Royal Hospital292
Earl's Court197
Brompton & Hans Town197
Colville169
Notting Dale167

Safest Wards:

St. Helen's97
Redcliffe91
Dalgarno82
Norland68
Abingdon63

Most Dangerous Areas:

Hans Town319
Earl's Court193
Portobello152
Notting Dale151
Chelsea Riverside East138

Safest Areas:

Chelsea Riverside West82
Kensington Abingdon71
Holland Park60
Ladbroke Grove58
West Brompton57

Kensington and Chelsea Crime Statstics

In May 2025 the Kensington and Chelsea has recorded 2,395 crimes with crime rate of 16.70 ranking 10th out of 331 in the UK and ranked 13 out 331 in terms of total crimes and 5 in terms of crime rate in Inner London.

In 2024, the total Kensington and Chelsea crimes were 17,023. The crime rate of Kensington and Chelsea in 2024 was 118.73 (year) or 9.89 (month) ranking it 79 danzarous in the UK. Kensington and Chelsea ranked 13 in terms of total crimes and 5 in terms of crime rate in Inner London.

In 2023, the total crimes in Kensington and Chelsea were around 28,947 crimes with yearly crime rate of 201.90 (year) or 16.82 (month) ranking 8 out 331 most dangerous city in the UK. As compared to neighboring cities in Inner London, Kensington and Chelsea ranked 13 out 331 in terms of total crimes or 4 as per crime rate of Kensington and Chelsea

CityMay 202520242023
CrimesRank (Inner London)CrimesRank (Inner London)CrimesRank (Inner London)
Wandsworth2,843 1518,729 1433,487 14
Lewisham3,186 1421,182 1336,745 13
Newham4,094 1329,113 1145,081 12
Haringey3,195 1219,939 1237,871 11
Tower Hamlets4,063 1127,666 744,863 10
Hammersmith and Fulham2,347 815,789 1027,203 7
Lambeth4,079 1027,602 946,516 9
Hackney3,362 923,027 838,373 8
Southwark4,413 729,850 646,312 6
Islington3,928 626,124 441,409 5
Camden7,246 455,577 390,410 3
Westminster26,564 2237,090 2370,073 2
City of London2,845 137,556 136,404 1

Kensington and Chelsea Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

In May 2025, Anti-social behaviour dominated crime reports (500 incidents), followed by Violence and sexual offences also remained a significant concern (468 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (467 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (439 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Anti-social behaviour (434 incidents) and then Violence and sexual offences showed a substantial number of incidents (433 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 431 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 383 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Anti-social behaviour (384 reports) and Violence and sexual offences incidents were also notably high (358 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 405 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 400 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (453 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (372 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (441 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (424 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (463 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (429 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (554 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (484 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Theft from the person saw the largest number of reported crimes with 12 incidents, and Violence and sexual offences was another prevalent crime category with 10 incidents.

In June 2024, Violence and sexual offences recorded the highest number of incidents, totaling 2

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 2618 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 238.00 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 332 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025274
April 2025229
March 2025238
February 2025239
January 2025233
December 2024268
November 2024332
October 2024331
September 2024257
August 2024211
July 20246

A total of 1061 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 96.45 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 132 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025114
April 2025127
March 202599
February 202583
January 202582
December 2024100
November 2024106
October 2024114
September 202496
August 2024132
July 20248

A total of 2259 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 225.90 incidents per month. February 2025 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 300 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025210
April 2025189
March 2025258
February 2025300
January 2025260
December 2024243
November 2024273
October 2024233
September 2024177
August 2024116

A total of 628 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 57.09 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 78 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202578
April 202561
March 202551
February 202562
January 202561
December 202475
November 202465
October 202459
September 202454
August 202461
July 20241

A total of 2272 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 206.55 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 307 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025183
April 2025213
March 2025228
February 2025179
January 2025221
December 2024236
November 2024307
October 2024256
September 2024193
August 2024244
July 202412

A total of 107 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 10.70 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 37 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20259
April 202512
March 20258
February 20258
January 20255
December 20246
November 20244
October 202410
September 20248
August 202437

A total of 837 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 76.09 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 272 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202568
April 202570
March 202551
February 202547
January 202558
December 202446
November 202464
October 202474
September 202486
August 2024272
July 20241

A total of 4485 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 373.75 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 554 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025468
April 2025467
March 2025433
February 2025431
January 2025358
December 2024405
November 2024453
October 2024441
September 2024463
August 2024554
July 202410
June 20242

A total of 1211 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 121.10 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 154 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025113
April 2025100
March 2025107
February 202593
January 2025123
December 2024154
November 2024127
October 2024146
September 2024135
August 2024113

A total of 4249 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 424.90 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 500 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025500
April 2025439
March 2025434
February 2025383
January 2025384
December 2024400
November 2024372
October 2024424
September 2024429
August 2024484

A total of 2528 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 252.80 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 321 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025321
April 2025243
March 2025291
February 2025247
January 2025218
December 2024287
November 2024245
October 2024277
September 2024243
August 2024156

A total of 171 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 17.10 incidents per month. February 2025 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 23 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202510
April 202514
March 202520
February 202523
January 202516
December 202416
November 202417
October 202419
September 202417
August 202419

A total of 881 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 80.09 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 107 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20256
April 202580
March 202597
February 2025102
January 202588
December 2024107
November 2024103
October 2024102
September 202493
August 2024102
July 20241

A total of 295 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 29.50 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 63 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202541
April 202533
March 202516
February 202517
January 202521
December 202414
November 202433
October 202429
September 202463
August 202428

High Crime Locations Kensington and Chelsea in May 2025

A detailed breakdown of crime incidents by location within the Kensington and Chelsea postcode area is presented below.

1. Supermarket (Map)
Total75
Shoplifting75
2. Shopping Area (Map)
Total66
Shoplifting30
Theft from the person12
Other theft9
Public order6
Violence and sexual offences3
Vehicle crime3
Bicycle theft3
3. Fenelon Place (Map)
Total30
Violence and sexual offences21
Public order6
Burglary3
4. Lincoln Street (Map)
Total27
Shoplifting9
Violence and sexual offences6
Theft from the person6
Other theft3
Burglary3
5. Penywern Road (Map)
Total22
Violence and sexual offences10
Anti-social behaviour9
Theft from the person2
Public order1
6. Symons Street (Map)
Total21
Shoplifting9
Theft from the person6
Other theft6

To know about postcode areas in Kensington and Chelsea, visit Kensington and Chelsea information

  • Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2021. This data is licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
  • Contains Office for National Statistics data licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0
  • Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.