Crime Rate in Poplar: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Poplar

The total recorded crimes in Poplar, Tower Hamlets, UK in May 2025 are around 88 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Poplar crime rate of 1.51 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 Poplar, encompassing approximately 58,403 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during May were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (30) incidents (7.14% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (23) incidents (15.00% increase)
  • Vehicle crime: (12) incidents (20.00% increase)
Poplar Crime Hotspots

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

  • Aspen Way with total crimes: 18
  • Shirbutt Street with total crimes: 9
  • Harrow Lane with total crimes: 6

How safe is Poplar?

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

  • Relative to Tower Hamlets:

    • In 2024, Poplar demonstrated a lower crime volume than the Tower Hamlets average, with 533 crimes compared to 1383.0. This suggests a relatively safer position within the region for the year. Additionally, Poplar recorded fewer crimes than 18 out of 19 other areas in the Tower Hamlets.

    • In 2023, Poplar had fewer crimes than the Tower Hamlets average, with 1,018 crimes compared to 2,243. This reflects a relatively lower crime rate for the area within the region that year. Additionally, Poplar recorded fewer crimes than 17 out of 19 other areas in the Tower Hamlets.

  • Overall Assessment:

    • Compared to other areas in Tower Hamlets, Poplar has a lower crime rate and is considered safer in 2024.

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

Poplar Crime Statstics

In May 2025 the Poplar has recorded 88 crimes with crime rate of 1.51 ranking 19th out of 19 in the Tower Hamlets, UK

In 2024, the total Poplar crimes were 533. The crime rate of Poplar in 2024 was 15.03 (year) or 1.25 (month) ranking it 19 dangerous area in the Tower Hamlets.

In 2023, the total crimes in Poplar were around 1,018 crimes with yearly crime rate of 17.43 (year) or 1.45 (month) ranking 18 most dangerous area in the Tower Hamlets.

AreaMay 202520242023
CrimesRank (Poplar)CrimesRank (Poplar)CrimesRank (Poplar)
Bethnal Green389 12,650 14,443 1
Spitalfields & Banglatown291 42,414 23,795 2
Canary Wharf343 22,137 33,670 3
Whitechapel342 32,057 43,199 5
St Peter's268 51,736 63,482 4
Mile End241 61,738 52,229 9
Shadwell191 111,478 82,719 6
Weavers200 101,616 72,308 7
St Katharine's & Wapping222 71,207 121,785 14
Bow East218 81,456 102,277 8
Lansbury211 91,476 92,133 11
Bow West155 141,176 132,137 10
Blackwall & Cubitt Town185 131,246 111,970 13
Stepney Green186 121,078 151,990 12
Bromley North141 151,088 141,550 15
Island Gardens109 17595 181,300 16
St Dunstan's118 16789 161,269 17
Bromley South100 18746 17889 19
Limehouse65 20450 20700 20

Poplar Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (30 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (23 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (28 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (20 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (25 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (14 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Anti-social behaviour saw the largest number of reported crimes with 18 incidents, and Violence and sexual offences was another prevalent crime category with 16 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (20 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (16 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Anti-social behaviour saw the largest number of reported crimes with 18 incidents, and Violence and sexual offences was another prevalent crime category with 17 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (16 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (16 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (19 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (15 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (36 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (17 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Anti-social behaviour (18 incidents) and then Violence and sexual offences showed a substantial number of incidents (16 incidents).

In July 2024, Criminal damage and arson recorded the highest number of incidents, totaling 2

In May 2024, Other theft dominated crime reports (1 incidents), followed by Public order also remained a significant concern (1 incidents).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 27 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 2.70 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 4 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20252
April 20251
March 20253
January 20253
December 20244
November 20244
October 20242
September 20244
August 20243
May 20241

A total of 224 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 20.36 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 36 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202530
April 202528
March 202525
February 202516
January 202520
December 202417
November 202416
October 202419
September 202436
August 202416
May 20241

A total of 175 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 17.50 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 23 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202523
April 202520
March 202514
February 202518
January 202516
December 202418
November 202416
October 202415
September 202417
August 202418

A total of 49 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 4.45 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 11 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20255
April 202511
March 20253
February 20252
January 20251
December 20243
November 20244
October 20244
September 20248
August 20247
May 20241

A total of 82 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 8.20 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 16 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202512
April 202510
March 20254
February 20252
January 202512
December 202416
November 202410
October 20244
September 202411
August 20241

A total of 31 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 3.88 incidents per month. January 2025 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 6 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20255
April 20254
March 20255
February 20253
January 20256
November 20242
October 20243
August 20243

A total of 52 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 4.73 incidents per month. January 2025 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 10 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20253
April 20257
March 20256
February 20255
January 202510
December 20244
November 20244
October 20246
September 20244
August 20242
May 20241

A total of 38 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 3.45 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 6 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20252
April 20254
March 20256
February 20256
January 20254
December 20244
November 20241
October 20243
September 20242
August 20245
May 20241

A total of 7 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.40 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 3 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20251
April 20251
March 20251
January 20251
December 20243

A total of 35 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 3.50 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 9 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20251
April 20253
March 20252
February 20252
December 20249
November 20242
October 20245
September 20248
August 20241
July 20242

A total of 61 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 6.10 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 9 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20254
April 20259
March 20257
February 20254
January 20258
December 20244
November 20249
October 20245
September 20249
August 20242

A total of 3 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.00 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 1 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20251
February 20251
October 20241

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

MonthCount
March 20251
February 20251
January 20251
November 20242

A total of 8 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 2.00 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 3 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 20251
January 20251
October 20243
August 20243

High Crime Locations Poplar in May 2025

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

1. Aspen Way (Map)
Total18
Violence and sexual offences7
Drugs4
Anti-social behaviour3
Burglary1
Robbery1
Theft from the person1
Vehicle crime1
2. Shirbutt Street (Map)
Total9
Violence and sexual offences5
Anti-social behaviour3
Vehicle crime1
3. Harrow Lane (Map)
Total6
Anti-social behaviour3
Theft from the person1
Vehicle crime1
Violence and sexual offences1
4. Stoneyard Lane (Map)
Total5
Violence and sexual offences4
Anti-social behaviour1
5. Poplar High Street (Map)
Total5
Anti-social behaviour2
Burglary1
Public order1
Violence and sexual offences1
6. Further/Higher Educational Building (Map)
Total4
Violence and sexual offences2
Burglary1
Other theft1
7. Petrol Station (Map)
Total4
Bicycle theft1
Other theft1
Theft from the person1
Vehicle crime1
8. Clove Crescent (Map)
Total4
Anti-social behaviour1
Other theft1
Public order1
Violence and sexual offences1
9. Saltwell Street (Map)
Total3
Violence and sexual offences2
Anti-social behaviour1
10. Lawless Street (Map)
Total3
Violence and sexual offences2
Anti-social behaviour1

  • 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.