Crime Rate in Southwark: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Southwark

The total recorded crimes in Southwark, UK in May 2025 are around 4,413 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Southwark crime rate of 14.34 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 Southwark, encompassing approximately 307,640 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during May were:

  • Anti-social behaviour: (932) incidents (12.29% increase)
  • Violence and sexual offences: (919) incidents (19.51% increase)
  • Theft from the person: (693) incidents (8.28% increase)
Southwark Crime Hotspots

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

  • Sydenham Hill with total crimes: 36
  • Old Kent Road with total crimes: 24
  • Hospital with total crimes: 24

Southwark Police Info:

Metropolitan Police Service

How safe is Southwark?

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

    • Southwark has recorded 29,850 crimes in the current year, resulting in a crime rate of 97.03 per 1,000 residents. This places it at rank 145 out of 331 in the UK, indicating it is safer than average.

    • Yearly trends show that in the previous year, the city recorded 46,312 crimes with a crime rate of 150.54, ranking it 22 in the UK. This a decrease in crime suggests Positive changes.

  • Relative to Inner London:

    • In 2024, Southwark demonstrated a lower crime volume than the Inner London average, with 29850 crimes compared to 41876.0. This suggests a relatively safer position within the region for the year. Additionally, Southwark recorded fewer crimes than 10 out of 13 other cities.

    • In 2023, Southwark had fewer crimes than the Inner London average, with 46,312 crimes compared to 65,978. This reflects a relatively lower crime rate for the city within the region that year. Additionally, Southwark recorded fewer crimes than 10 out of 13 other cities.

  • Overall Assessment:

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

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

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

Southwark Crime Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, Borough & Bankside (451 crimes), and the safest, Peckham Rye (47 crimes), is 404 crimes. This noticeable difference indicates a clear disparity in safety across Southwark.

Similarly, the area of Borough & Southwark Street (440 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Nunhead South & Newlands (36 crimes), with a difference of 404 crimes. This substantial difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Southwark.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Borough & Bankside451
Rye Lane367
London Bridge & West Bermondsey349
Chaucer283
North Walworth254

Safest Wards:

Champion Hill97
Dulwich Village97
Dulwich Hill95
Surrey Docks66
Peckham Rye47

Most Dangerous Areas:

Borough & Southwark Street440
Peckham North247
Elephant & Castle234
Southwark St George's220
London Bridge & Bermondsey West202

Safest Areas:

Camberwell North69
Dulwich Hill60
Rotherhithe46
East Dulwich42
Nunhead South & Newlands36

Southwark Crime Statstics

In May 2025 the Southwark has recorded 4,413 crimes with crime rate of 14.34 ranking 17th out of 331 in the UK and ranked 3 out 331 in terms of total crimes and 7 in terms of crime rate in Inner London.

In 2024, the total Southwark crimes were 29,850. The crime rate of Southwark in 2024 was 97.03 (year) or 8.09 (month) ranking it 145 danzarous in the UK. Southwark ranked 4 in terms of total crimes and 6 in terms of crime rate in Inner London.

In 2023, the total crimes in Southwark were around 46,312 crimes with yearly crime rate of 150.54 (year) or 12.54 (month) ranking 22 out 331 most dangerous city in the UK. As compared to neighboring cities in Inner London, Southwark ranked 4 out 331 in terms of total crimes or 6 as per crime rate of Southwark

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
Islington3,928 626,124 441,409 5
Kensington and Chelsea2,395 517,023 528,947 4
Camden7,246 455,577 390,410 3
Westminster26,564 2237,090 2370,073 2
City of London2,845 137,556 136,404 1

Southwark Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

In May 2025, Anti-social behaviour dominated crime reports (932 incidents), followed by Violence and sexual offences also remained a significant concern (919 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Anti-social behaviour were the most frequent (830 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Violence and sexual offences (769 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (852 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (828 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 755 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 635 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (769 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (686 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 839 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 701 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (829 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (783 cases).

In October 2024, Anti-social behaviour dominated crime reports (966 incidents), followed by Violence and sexual offences also remained a significant concern (857 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Anti-social behaviour were the most frequent (905 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Violence and sexual offences (774 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Anti-social behaviour (949 incidents) and then Violence and sexual offences showed a substantial number of incidents (661 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Theft from the person saw the largest number of reported crimes with 19 incidents, and Other theft was another prevalent crime category with 18 incidents.

During June 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (8 reports) and Possession of weapons incidents were also notably high (4 cases).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 8045 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 670.42 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 919 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025919
April 2025769
March 2025852
February 2025755
January 2025769
December 2024839
November 2024829
October 2024857
September 2024774
August 2024661
July 202413
June 20248

A total of 1723 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 156.64 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 193 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025181
April 2025185
March 2025167
February 2025151
January 2025143
December 2024169
November 2024186
October 2024193
September 2024155
August 2024179
July 202414

A total of 2278 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 227.80 incidents per month. January 2025 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 262 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025227
April 2025228
March 2025257
February 2025210
January 2025262
December 2024252
November 2024217
October 2024250
September 2024222
August 2024153

A total of 2229 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 222.90 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 267 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025252
April 2025197
March 2025235
February 2025255
January 2025219
December 2024262
November 2024206
October 2024236
September 2024267
August 2024100

A total of 3940 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 358.18 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 500 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025468
April 2025372
March 2025375
February 2025365
January 2025376
December 2024500
November 2024440
October 2024470
September 2024416
August 2024140
July 202418

A total of 198 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 16.50 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 31 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202526
April 202517
March 202514
February 202511
January 202522
December 202431
November 202416
October 202416
September 202420
August 202419
July 20242
June 20244

A total of 5764 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 524.00 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 693 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025693
April 2025640
March 2025662
February 2025533
January 2025437
December 2024444
November 2024602
October 2024688
September 2024594
August 2024452
July 202419

A total of 1795 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 163.18 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 240 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025162
April 2025171
March 2025194
February 2025179
January 2025222
December 2024240
November 2024228
October 2024174
September 2024129
August 202493
July 20243

A total of 319 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 29.00 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 45 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202532
April 202545
March 202531
February 202532
January 202537
December 202429
November 202429
October 202431
September 202427
August 202425
July 20241

A total of 3220 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 292.73 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 528 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025226
April 2025237
March 2025290
February 2025216
January 2025271
December 2024358
November 2024513
October 2024528
September 2024496
August 202483
July 20242

A total of 847 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 77.00 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 150 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202593
April 202584
March 202580
February 202568
January 202561
December 202478
November 202477
October 2024117
September 2024150
August 202437
July 20242

A total of 1734 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 157.64 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 225 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025195
April 2025173
March 2025173
February 2025138
January 2025162
December 2024176
November 2024179
October 2024225
September 2024166
August 2024145
July 20242

A total of 8215 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 821.50 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 966 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025932
April 2025830
March 2025828
February 2025635
January 2025686
December 2024701
November 2024783
October 2024966
September 2024905
August 2024949

A total of 1609 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 146.27 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 241 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20257
April 2025180
March 2025172
February 2025162
January 2025193
December 2024201
November 2024186
October 2024241
September 2024184
August 202480
July 20243

High Crime Locations Southwark in May 2025

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

1. Sydenham Hill (Map)
Total36
Violence and sexual offences24
Other theft12
2. Old Kent Road (Map)
Total24
Anti-social behaviour12
Violence and sexual offences6
Possession of weapons3
Drugs3
3. Hospital (Map)
Total24
Theft from the person9
Anti-social behaviour6
Other theft5
Shoplifting3
Bicycle theft1
4. Elephant Road (Map)
Total21
Shoplifting9
Violence and sexual offences7
Public order3
Bicycle theft2
5. Horselydown Lane (Map)
Total21
Other theft9
Theft from the person6
Shoplifting4
Public order2
6. Elephant And Castle (Map)
Total21
Theft from the person10
Anti-social behaviour10
Other crime1

To know about postcode areas in Southwark, visit Southwark information

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  • Contains Office for National Statistics data licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0
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