Crime Rate in Tower Hamlets: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Tower Hamlets

The total recorded crimes in Tower Hamlets, UK in May 2025 are around 4,063 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Tower Hamlets crime rate of 13.09 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 Tower Hamlets, encompassing approximately 310,306 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during May were:

  • Anti-social behaviour: (1097) incidents (17.70% increase)
  • Violence and sexual offences: (1059) incidents (6.33% increase)
  • Other theft: (361) incidents (1.40% increase)
Tower Hamlets Crime Hotspots

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

  • Canary Wharf with total crimes: 43
  • Petrol Station with total crimes: 39
  • Rhondda Grove with total crimes: 33

Tower Hamlets Police Info:

Metropolitan Police Service

How safe is Tower Hamlets?

To understand the safety of Tower Hamlets, we need to analyze Tower Hamlets 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:

    • Tower Hamlets has recorded 27,666 crimes in the current year, resulting in a crime rate of 89.16 per 1,000 residents. This places it at rank 175 out of 331 in the UK, indicating it is safer than average.

    • Yearly trends show that in the previous year, the city recorded 44,863 crimes with a crime rate of 144.58, ranking it 29 in the UK. This a decrease in crime suggests Positive changes.

  • Relative to Inner London:

    • In 2024, Tower Hamlets demonstrated a lower crime volume than the Inner London average, with 27666 crimes compared to 41876.0. This suggests a relatively safer position within the region for the year. Additionally, Tower Hamlets recorded fewer crimes than 8 out of 13 other cities.

    • In 2023, Tower Hamlets had fewer crimes than the Inner London average, with 44,863 crimes compared to 65,978. This reflects a relatively lower crime rate for the city within the region that year. Additionally, Tower Hamlets recorded fewer crimes than 8 out of 13 other cities.

  • Overall Assessment:

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

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

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

Tower Hamlets Crime Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, Bethnal Green (389 crimes), and the safest, Limehouse (65 crimes), is 324 crimes. This noticeable difference indicates a clear disparity in safety across Tower Hamlets.

Similarly, the area of Spitalfields (244 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Leamouth (45 crimes), with a difference of 199 crimes. This noticeable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Tower Hamlets.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Bethnal Green389
Canary Wharf343
Whitechapel342
Spitalfields & Banglatown291
St Peter's268

Safest Wards:

St Dunstan's118
Island Gardens109
Bromley South100
Poplar88
Limehouse65

Most Dangerous Areas:

Spitalfields244
Canary Wharf226
Bethnal Green South221
Aldgate218
St George in the East & Wapping North200

Safest Areas:

Cubitt Town78
Mudchute66
Shadwell North57
Millwall South54
Leamouth45

Tower Hamlets Crime Statstics

In May 2025 the Tower Hamlets has recorded 4,063 crimes with crime rate of 13.09 ranking 9464th out of 331 in the UK and ranked 2 out 331 in terms of total crimes and 11 in terms of crime rate in Inner London.

In 2024, the total Tower Hamlets crimes were 27,666. The crime rate of Tower Hamlets in 2024 was 89.16 (year) or 7.43 (month) ranking it 175 danzarous in the UK. Tower Hamlets ranked 6 in terms of total crimes and 7 in terms of crime rate in Inner London.

In 2023, the total crimes in Tower Hamlets were around 44,863 crimes with yearly crime rate of 144.58 (year) or 12.05 (month) ranking 29 out 331 most dangerous city in the UK. As compared to neighboring cities in Inner London, Tower Hamlets ranked 6 out 331 in terms of total crimes or 10 as per crime rate of Tower Hamlets

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
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
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

Tower Hamlets Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

In May 2025, Anti-social behaviour dominated crime reports (1097 incidents), followed by Violence and sexual offences also remained a significant concern (1059 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (996 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (932 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (994 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (937 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 876 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 683 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (820 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (759 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 881 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 800 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Anti-social behaviour (950 reports) and Violence and sexual offences incidents were also notably high (943 cases).

In October 2024, Anti-social behaviour dominated crime reports (1046 incidents), followed by Violence and sexual offences also remained a significant concern (947 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Anti-social behaviour were the most frequent (964 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Violence and sexual offences (933 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Anti-social behaviour (1216 incidents) and then Violence and sexual offences showed a substantial number of incidents (790 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 31 incidents, and Public order was another prevalent crime category with 17 incidents.

During June 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (14 reports) and Drugs incidents were also notably high (6 cases).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 421 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 38.27 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 53 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202539
April 202540
March 202539
February 202547
January 202546
December 202436
November 202453
October 202449
September 202436
August 202434
July 20242

A total of 2031 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 169.25 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 239 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025213
April 2025199
March 2025239
February 2025161
January 2025180
December 2024187
November 2024189
October 2024237
September 2024205
August 2024202
July 202417
June 20242

A total of 2592 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 216.00 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 307 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025237
April 2025277
March 2025259
February 2025228
January 2025184
December 2024240
November 2024307
October 2024292
September 2024291
August 2024257
July 202416
June 20244

A total of 2167 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 197.00 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 312 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025192
April 2025206
March 2025164
February 2025171
January 2025208
December 2024227
November 2024312
October 2024270
September 2024295
August 2024120
June 20242

A total of 1116 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 101.45 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 139 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202585
April 2025104
March 2025118
February 2025104
January 202594
December 2024118
November 2024122
October 2024125
September 2024139
August 2024106
July 20241

A total of 3191 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 290.09 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 369 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025361
April 2025356
March 2025369
February 2025301
January 2025307
December 2024357
November 2024346
October 2024365
September 2024293
August 2024123
July 202413

A total of 1496 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 124.67 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 189 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202511
April 2025187
March 2025186
February 2025133
January 2025141
December 2024178
November 2024180
October 2024165
September 2024189
August 2024118
July 20246
June 20242

A total of 1914 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 159.50 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 242 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025242
April 2025223
March 2025172
February 2025138
January 2025179
December 2024158
November 2024190
October 2024214
September 2024167
August 2024223
July 20242
June 20246

A total of 9384 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 938.40 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 1216 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20251097
April 2025932
March 2025937
February 2025683
January 2025759
December 2024800
November 2024950
October 20241046
September 2024964
August 20241216

A total of 882 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 80.18 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 148 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202580
April 202585
March 2025112
February 202569
January 202566
December 202474
November 2024117
October 2024148
September 202497
August 202432
July 20242

A total of 1968 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 164.00 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 294 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025294
April 2025190
March 2025171
February 2025162
January 2025241
December 2024211
November 2024220
October 2024207
September 2024176
August 202487
July 20243
June 20246

A total of 9284 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 773.67 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 1059 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20251059
April 2025996
March 2025994
February 2025876
January 2025820
December 2024881
November 2024943
October 2024947
September 2024933
August 2024790
July 202431
June 202414

A total of 172 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 15.64 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 24 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202522
April 202516
March 202523
February 20257
January 202518
December 202412
November 202424
October 202416
September 202416
August 202417
July 20241

A total of 1933 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 175.73 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 258 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025131
April 2025167
March 2025156
February 2025139
January 2025256
December 2024254
November 2024258
October 2024241
September 2024198
August 2024132
July 20241

High Crime Locations Tower Hamlets in May 2025

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

1. Canary Wharf (Map)
Total43
Shoplifting19
Other theft7
Violence and sexual offences5
Theft from the person3
Vehicle crime2
Public order2
Burglary2
Robbery1
Other crime1
Criminal damage and arson1
2. Petrol Station (Map)
Total39
Other theft15
Violence and sexual offences12
Theft from the person3
Shoplifting3
Robbery3
Public order3
3. Rhondda Grove (Map)
Total33
Shoplifting33
4. Limehouse (Map)
Total27
Anti-social behaviour12
Public order6
Vehicle crime3
Theft from the person3
Other theft3
5. Stepney Green (Map)
Total26
Shoplifting26
6. Shopping Area (Map)
Total21
Violence and sexual offences15
Theft from the person3
Bicycle theft3

To know about postcode areas in Tower Hamlets, visit Tower Hamlets 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.