Crime Rate in Merton: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Merton

The total recorded crimes in Merton, UK in May 2025 are around 1,418 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Merton crime rate of 6.59 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 Merton, encompassing approximately 215,187 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during May were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (399) incidents (5.84% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (336) incidents (9.45% increase)
  • Shoplifting: (145) incidents (-16.67% decrease)
Merton Crime Hotspots

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

  • Supermarket with total crimes: 34
  • Wimbledon Bridge with total crimes: 17
  • Supermarket with total crimes: 14

Merton Police Info:

Metropolitan Police Service

How safe is Merton?

To understand the safety of Merton, we need to analyze Merton 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:

    • Merton has recorded 9,994 crimes in the current year, resulting in a crime rate of 46.44 per 1,000 residents. This places it at rank 317 out of 331 in the UK, indicating it is safer than average.

    • Yearly trends show that in the previous year, the city recorded 17,989 crimes with a crime rate of 83.60, ranking it 189 in the UK. This a decrease in crime suggests Positive changes.

  • Relative to Outer London:

    • In 2024, Merton demonstrated a lower crime volume than the Outer London average, with 9994 crimes compared to 16705.0. This suggests a relatively safer position within the region for the year. Furthermore, Merton witnessed more crimes than 15 out of 18 other cities.

    • In 2023, Merton had fewer crimes than the Outer London average, with 17,989 crimes compared to 28,746. This reflects a relatively lower crime rate for the city within the region that year. Furthermore, Merton witnessed more crimes than 15 out of 18 other cities.

  • Overall Assessment:

    • Based on the available data, Merton is considered safer compared to the national averages.

    • Compared to other cities in Outer London, Merton has a lower crime rate in 2024.

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

Merton Crime Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, Wimbledon Town & Dundonald (136 crimes), and the safest, Cannon Hill (28 crimes), is 108 crimes. This measurable difference indicates a some disparity in safety across Merton.

Similarly, the area of Wimbledon Broadway South (97 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Cannon Hill (19 crimes), with a difference of 78 crimes. This measurable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Merton.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Wimbledon Town & Dundonald136
Cricket Green127
Graveney96
Lavender Fields94
Colliers Wood88

Safest Wards:

Wandle49
Hillside48
Village47
Lower Morden34
Cannon Hill28

Most Dangerous Areas:

Wimbledon Broadway South97
Mitcham West93
Wimbledon Broadway North89
Morden Central88
Mitcham South85

Safest Areas:

Wimbledon Chase30
Wimbledon Common27
Lower Morden25
Merton Park22
Cannon Hill19

Merton Crime Statstics

In May 2025 the Merton has recorded 1,418 crimes with crime rate of 6.59 ranking 227th out of 331 in the UK and ranked 16 out 331 in terms of total crimes and 16 in terms of crime rate in Outer London.

In 2024, the total Merton crimes were 9,994. The crime rate of Merton in 2024 was 46.44 (year) or 3.87 (month) ranking it 317 danzarous in the UK. Merton ranked 16 in terms of total crimes and 16 in terms of crime rate in Outer London.

In 2023, the total crimes in Merton were around 17,989 crimes with yearly crime rate of 83.60 (year) or 6.97 (month) ranking 189 out 331 most dangerous city in the UK. As compared to neighboring cities in Outer London, Merton ranked 16 out 331 in terms of total crimes or 15 as per crime rate of Merton

CityMay 202520242023
CrimesRank (Outer London)CrimesRank (Outer London)CrimesRank (Outer London)
Harrow1,796 2012,311 1519,636 19
Sutton1,369 198,988 1915,828 18
Richmond upon Thames1,406 188,641 1815,748 17
Bexley1,599 1711,384 1720,257 16
Bromley2,386 1416,680 1328,760 14
Kingston upon Thames1,293 128,165 1415,645 12
Barnet2,942 1320,339 1236,190 13
Havering2,030 1113,869 1125,160 11
Redbridge2,500 1016,685 1029,930 10
Barking and Dagenham1,981 913,850 924,133 9
Waltham Forest2,605 818,043 730,955 8
Hounslow2,862 418,366 832,912 4
Croydon4,013 727,293 343,781 7
Ealing3,471 623,905 641,271 6
Greenwich2,958 519,510 432,543 5
Enfield3,198 322,077 538,814 3
Hillingdon3,436 222,638 136,086 2
Brent3,821 124,651 240,527 1

Merton Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (399 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (336 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (377 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (307 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (434 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (325 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 309 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 258 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (346 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (242 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 371 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 263 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (341 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (262 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (345 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (322 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (378 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (309 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Anti-social behaviour (388 incidents) and then Violence and sexual offences showed a substantial number of incidents (341 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Other theft saw the largest number of reported crimes with 7 incidents, and Violence and sexual offences was another prevalent crime category with 6 incidents.

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 347 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 31.55 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 54 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202539
April 202530
March 202537
February 202530
January 202530
December 202441
November 202454
October 202425
September 202440
August 202418
July 20243

A total of 3647 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 331.55 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 434 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025399
April 2025377
March 2025434
February 2025309
January 2025346
December 2024371
November 2024341
October 2024345
September 2024378
August 2024341
July 20246

A total of 152 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 15.20 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 22 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202516
April 202522
March 20257
February 202516
January 202511
December 202417
November 202411
October 202420
September 202421
August 202411

A total of 597 Drugs incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 59.70 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 80 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202555
April 202580
March 202570
February 202555
January 202561
December 202461
November 202472
October 202454
September 202459
August 202430

A total of 60 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 6.00 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 9 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20259
April 20258
March 20258
February 20254
January 20258
December 20241
November 20245
October 20247
September 20249
August 20241

A total of 3012 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 301.20 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 388 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025336
April 2025307
March 2025325
February 2025258
January 2025242
December 2024263
November 2024262
October 2024322
September 2024309
August 2024388

A total of 775 Public order incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 70.45 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 105 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202585
April 202567
March 202573
February 202567
January 202570
December 202488
November 202472
October 2024105
September 202472
August 202470
July 20246

A total of 726 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 66.00 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 98 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20255
April 202595
March 202592
February 202555
January 202575
December 202473
November 202493
October 202498
September 202474
August 202465
July 20241

A total of 308 Robbery incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 30.80 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 40 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202535
April 202536
March 202540
February 202527
January 202528
December 202438
November 202429
October 202422
September 202425
August 202428

A total of 1582 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 158.20 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 221 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025145
April 2025174
March 2025221
February 2025176
January 2025145
December 202493
November 2024220
October 2024208
September 2024160
August 202440

A total of 1135 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 113.50 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 162 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025114
April 2025119
March 2025121
February 2025102
January 2025114
December 202481
November 2024120
October 2024159
September 2024162
August 202443

A total of 723 Burglary incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 72.30 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 85 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202564
April 202567
March 202554
February 202566
January 202579
December 202485
November 202485
October 202468
September 202470
August 202485

A total of 167 Other crime incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 16.70 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 22 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202513
April 202522
March 202513
February 202519
January 202522
December 202420
November 202417
October 202414
September 202415
August 202412

A total of 958 Other theft incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 87.09 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 121 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025103
April 202593
March 202584
February 202595
January 2025110
December 2024104
November 2024101
October 202499
September 2024121
August 202441
July 20247

High Crime Locations Merton in May 2025

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

1. Supermarket (Map)
Total34
Shoplifting17
Violence and sexual offences3
Public order3
Vehicle crime2
Theft from the person2
Other theft2
Drugs2
Robbery1
Criminal damage and arson1
Bicycle theft1
2. Wimbledon Bridge (Map)
Total17
Shoplifting8
Violence and sexual offences6
Public order3
3. Supermarket (Map)
Total14
Shoplifting10
Public order2
Other theft2
4. Sadler Close (Map)
Total13
Violence and sexual offences8
Anti-social behaviour3
Drugs2
5. Rural Way (Map)
Total12
Violence and sexual offences6
Vehicle crime3
Anti-social behaviour3
6. Supermarket (Map)
Total12
Shoplifting11
Robbery1

To know about postcode areas in Merton, visit Merton 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
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