Crime Rate in Forest Hill: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Forest Hill

The total recorded crimes in Forest Hill, Lewisham, UK in July 2025 are around 133 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Forest Hill crime rate of 1.87 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 Forest Hill, encompassing approximately 71,106 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during Jul were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (38) incidents (-11.63% decrease)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (36) incidents (80.00% increase)
  • Vehicle crime: (15) incidents (66.67% increase)
Forest Hill Crime Hotspots

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

  • Supermarket with total crimes: 12
  • Devonshire Road with total crimes: 11
  • Bird-In-Hand Passage with total crimes: 8

How safe is Forest Hill?

To understand the safety of Forest Hill, we need to analyze Forest Hill crime statistics in relation to regional averages. Lets examine the available data and provide a balanced assessment.

  • Relative to Lewisham:

    • In 2024, Forest Hill demonstrated a lower crime volume than the Lewisham average, with 785 crimes compared to 1115.0. This suggests a relatively safer position within the region for the year. Additionally, Forest Hill recorded fewer crimes than 15 out of 18 other areas in the Lewisham.

    • In 2023, Forest Hill had fewer crimes than the Lewisham average, with 1,435 crimes compared to 1,934. This reflects a relatively lower crime rate for the area within the region that year. Additionally, Forest Hill recorded fewer crimes than 13 out of 18 other areas in the Lewisham.

  • Overall Assessment:

    • Compared to other areas in Lewisham, Forest Hill has a lower crime rate and is considered safer in 2024.

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

Forest Hill Crime Statstics

In July 2025 the Forest Hill has recorded 133 crimes with crime rate of 1.87 ranking 14th out of 18 in the Lewisham, UK

In 2024, the total Forest Hill crimes were 785. The crime rate of Forest Hill in 2024 was 11.04 (year) or 0.92 (month) ranking it 16 dangerous area in the Lewisham.

In 2023, the total crimes in Forest Hill were around 1,435 crimes with yearly crime rate of 20.18 (year) or 1.68 (month) ranking 14 most dangerous area in the Lewisham.

AreaJuly 202520242023
CrimesRank (Forest Hill)CrimesRank (Forest Hill)CrimesRank (Forest Hill)
Rushey Green351 12,002 13,346 1
Brockley273 31,616 33,087 2
Lewisham Central221 61,653 22,304 5
Blackheath277 21,231 62,180 6
Deptford228 51,613 42,934 3
Perry Vale250 41,599 52,661 4
Downham166 81,128 82,111 7
Hither Green159 91,155 72,051 8
Sydenham190 71,059 101,806 9
Catford South145 101,096 91,805 10
Bellingham140 12825 141,628 11
Ladywell140 13862 111,271 17
Evelyn141 11582 191,181 19
Telegraph Hill123 16828 131,441 12
New Cross Gate96 19841 121,424 15
Crofton Park125 15802 151,436 13
Lee Green112 18746 181,412 16
Grove Park120 17759 171,232 18

Forest Hill Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

July 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 38 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 36 incidents.

During June 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (43 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (20 cases).

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (27 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (22 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Anti-social behaviour were the most frequent (28 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Violence and sexual offences (28 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Anti-social behaviour (27 incidents) and then Violence and sexual offences showed a substantial number of incidents (21 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 42 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 34 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Anti-social behaviour (28 reports) and Violence and sexual offences incidents were also notably high (27 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 27 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 21 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (35 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (19 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (36 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (29 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (31 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (25 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Anti-social behaviour (21 incidents) and then Violence and sexual offences showed a substantial number of incidents (18 incidents).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 310 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 25.83 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 36 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202536
June 202520
May 202522
April 202528
March 202527
February 202534
January 202528
December 202421
November 202419
October 202429
September 202425
August 202421

A total of 143 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 11.92 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 18 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202515
June 20259
May 202515
April 202513
March 202511
February 202510
January 202510
December 202413
November 202412
October 202418
September 20249
August 20248

A total of 373 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 31.08 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 43 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202538
June 202543
May 202527
April 202528
March 202521
February 202542
January 202527
December 202427
November 202435
October 202436
September 202431
August 202418

A total of 109 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 9.08 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 17 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20256
June 20259
May 202513
April 20259
March 20255
February 20257
January 20258
December 202417
November 20249
October 202415
September 20248
August 20243

A total of 91 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 7.58 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 15 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202515
June 202512
May 20256
April 20256
March 202510
February 20253
January 20251
December 202410
November 20244
October 20247
September 20248
August 20249

A total of 68 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 5.67 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 10 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20256
June 20255
May 202510
April 20253
March 20254
February 20257
January 20253
December 20244
November 20247
October 20248
September 20249
August 20242

A total of 34 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 2.83 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 6 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20252
June 20254
May 20251
April 20252
March 20254
February 20253
January 20251
December 20242
November 20243
October 20246
September 20245
August 20241

A total of 29 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 2.64 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 6 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20251
June 20254
April 20251
March 20255
February 20253
January 20251
December 20246
November 20241
October 20241
September 20241
August 20245

A total of 51 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 4.25 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 9 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20254
June 20259
May 20251
April 20257
March 20257
February 20251
January 20252
December 20243
November 20243
October 20248
September 20244
August 20242

A total of 51 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 4.64 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 10 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20251
May 20251
April 20255
March 20255
February 20255
January 20258
December 202410
November 20247
October 20247
September 20241
August 20241

A total of 12 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.33 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20251
June 20252
May 20251
April 20251
March 20251
February 20252
January 20251
November 20241
October 20242

A total of 20 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 2.22 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 3 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20252
June 20252
April 20253
March 20252
January 20253
December 20241
November 20243
October 20242
September 20242

A total of 50 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 4.17 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 9 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20256
June 20253
May 20257
April 20251
March 20255
February 20253
January 20256
December 20244
November 20244
October 20249
September 20241
August 20241

A total of 5 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.25 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 20251
October 20241
September 20241
August 20242

High Crime Locations Forest Hill in July 2025

A detailed breakdown of crime incidents by location within the Forest Hill postcode area is presented below.

1. Supermarket (Map)
Total12
Shoplifting6
Anti-social behaviour2
Public order2
Violence and sexual offences2
2. Devonshire Road (Map)
Total11
Violence and sexual offences5
Criminal damage and arson2
Vehicle crime2
Burglary1
Public order1
3. Bird-In-Hand Passage (Map)
Total8
Public order4
Violence and sexual offences3
Other theft1
4. Boveney Road (Map)
Total7
Anti-social behaviour7
5. Fransfield Grove (Map)
Total7
Violence and sexual offences3
Anti-social behaviour1
Public order1
Robbery1
Vehicle crime1
6. Kirkdale (Map)
Total6
Anti-social behaviour4
Violence and sexual offences2
7. Parking Area (Map)
Total6
Anti-social behaviour2
Bicycle theft1
Burglary1
Other crime1
Theft from the person1
8. Willow Way (Map)
Total5
Violence and sexual offences3
Public order2
9. Greystead Road (Map)
Total5
Violence and sexual offences2
Anti-social behaviour1
Burglary1
Other crime1
10. Petrol Station (Map)
Total4
Anti-social behaviour4

  • 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.