Crime Rate in Forest Hill: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Forest Hill

The total recorded crimes in Forest Hill, Lewisham, UK in May 2025 are around 104 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Forest Hill crime rate of 1.46 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 May were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (27) incidents (-3.57% decrease)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (22) incidents (-21.43% decrease)
  • Vehicle crime: (15) incidents (15.38% increase)
Forest Hill Crime Hotspots

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

  • Supermarket with total crimes: 9
  • Dartmouth Place with total crimes: 5
  • Bird-In-Hand Passage with total crimes: 5

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 May 2025 the Forest Hill has recorded 104 crimes with crime rate of 1.46 ranking 17th 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.

AreaMay 202520242023
CrimesRank (Forest Hill)CrimesRank (Forest Hill)CrimesRank (Forest Hill)
Rushey Green293 12,002 13,346 1
Brockley251 21,616 33,087 2
Lewisham Central233 41,653 22,304 5
Deptford246 31,613 42,934 3
Perry Vale229 51,599 52,661 4
Blackheath204 61,231 62,180 6
Downham157 101,128 82,111 7
Hither Green170 81,155 72,051 8
Sydenham170 71,059 101,806 9
Catford South151 111,096 91,805 10
Evelyn159 9582 191,181 19
Bellingham124 14825 141,628 11
Ladywell128 13862 111,271 17
Telegraph Hill108 16828 131,441 12
New Cross Gate102 19841 121,424 15
Lee Green136 12746 181,412 16
Crofton Park104 18802 151,436 13
Grove Park117 15759 171,232 18

Forest Hill Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

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).

In July 2024, Robbery recorded the highest number of incidents, totaling 1

In May 2024, Robbery dominated crime reports (1 incidents), followed by Violence and sexual offences also remained a significant concern (1 incidents).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 293 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 26.64 incidents per month. February 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 42 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202527
April 202528
March 202521
February 202542
January 202527
December 202427
November 202435
October 202436
September 202431
August 202418
May 20241

A total of 254 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 25.40 incidents per month. February 2025 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 34 reported cases.

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

A total of 119 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 11.90 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 18 reported cases.

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

A total of 94 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 9.40 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 17 reported cases.

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

A total of 57 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 5.70 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 10 reported cases.

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

A total of 41 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 4.10 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 9 reported cases.

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

A total of 64 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 6.40 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 10 reported cases.

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

A total of 9 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.29 incidents per month. February 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 2 reported cases.

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

A total of 28 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 2.80 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 6 reported cases.

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

A total of 50 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 5.00 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 10 reported cases.

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

A total of 38 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 3.80 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 8 reported cases.

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

A total of 16 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 2.29 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 3 reported cases.

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

A total of 26 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 2.36 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 6 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 20251
March 20255
February 20253
January 20251
December 20246
November 20241
October 20241
September 20241
August 20245
July 20241
May 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 May 2025

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

1. Supermarket (Map)
Total9
Shoplifting4
Anti-social behaviour3
Burglary1
Violence and sexual offences1
2. Dartmouth Place (Map)
Total5
Anti-social behaviour3
Violence and sexual offences2
3. Bird-In-Hand Passage (Map)
Total5
Violence and sexual offences5
4. Petrol Station (Map)
Total4
Shoplifting2
Anti-social behaviour1
Other theft1
5. Kirkdale (Map)
Total4
Anti-social behaviour2
Other theft1
Public order1
6. Parking Area (Map)
Total4
Violence and sexual offences2
Criminal damage and arson1
Public order1
7. David'S Road (Map)
Total4
Anti-social behaviour4
8. Woodcombe Crescent (Map)
Total4
Other theft2
Anti-social behaviour1
Violence and sexual offences1
9. Heathedge (Map)
Total3
Burglary1
Other theft1
Violence and sexual offences1
10. Glynwood Court (Map)
Total3
Other theft1
Theft from the person1
Violence and sexual offences1

  • 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.