Crime Rate in Waltham Forest: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Waltham Forest

The total recorded crimes in Waltham Forest, UK in May 2025 are around 2,605 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Waltham Forest crime rate of 9.36 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 Waltham Forest, encompassing approximately 278,428 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during May were:

  • Anti-social behaviour: (647) incidents (18.50% increase)
  • Violence and sexual offences: (572) incidents (0.53% increase)
  • Vehicle crime: (238) incidents (-0.42% decrease)
Waltham Forest Crime Hotspots

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

  • Further/Higher Educational Building with total crimes: 48
  • Cork Tree Way with total crimes: 21
  • Hanbury Drive with total crimes: 17

Waltham Forest Police Info:

Metropolitan Police Service

How safe is Waltham Forest?

To understand the safety of Waltham Forest, we need to analyze Waltham Forest 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:

    • Waltham Forest has recorded 18,043 crimes in the current year, resulting in a crime rate of 64.80 per 1,000 residents. This places it at rank 276 out of 331 in the UK, indicating it is safer than average.

    • Yearly trends show that in the previous year, the city recorded 30,955 crimes with a crime rate of 111.18, ranking it 92 in the UK. This a decrease in crime suggests Positive changes.

  • Relative to Outer London:

    • In 2024, Waltham Forest reported a higher crime volume than the Outer London average, with 18,043 crimes compared to 16,705. This indicates a potentially challenging safety environment in the region for the year. Additionally, Waltham Forest recorded fewer crimes than 10 out of 18 other cities.

    • In 2023, Waltham Forest experienced a greater number of crimes than the Outer London average, with 30,955 crimes compared to 28,746. This indicates a higher crime burden for the city in the region during this period. Additionally, Waltham Forest recorded fewer crimes than 10 out of 18 other cities.

  • Overall Assessment:

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

    • Compared to other cities in Outer London, Waltham Forest has a higher crime rate in 2024.

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

Waltham Forest Crime Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, Leytonstone (239 crimes), and the safest, Upper Walthamstow (43 crimes), is 196 crimes. This measurable difference indicates a some disparity in safety across Waltham Forest.

Similarly, the area of Walthamstow Market & South Grove (222 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Highams Park West (49 crimes), with a difference of 173 crimes. This noticeable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Waltham Forest.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Leytonstone239
High Street216
Forest178
Lea Bridge177
Valley171

Safest Wards:

Hale End & Highams Park South73
Markhouse57
Endlebury57
Cathall56
Upper Walthamstow43

Most Dangerous Areas:

Walthamstow Market & South Grove222
Leytonstone East199
Baker's Arms140
Leyton South133
Lloyd Park123

Safest Areas:

Larkswood58
Upper Walthamstow55
Leytonstone South West55
Chingford Green West52
Highams Park West49

Waltham Forest Crime Statstics

In May 2025 the Waltham Forest has recorded 2,605 crimes with crime rate of 9.36 ranking 103th out of 331 in the UK and ranked 9 out 331 in terms of total crimes and 8 in terms of crime rate in Outer London.

In 2024, the total Waltham Forest crimes were 18,043. The crime rate of Waltham Forest in 2024 was 64.80 (year) or 5.40 (month) ranking it 276 danzarous in the UK. Waltham Forest ranked 9 in terms of total crimes and 7 in terms of crime rate in Outer London.

In 2023, the total crimes in Waltham Forest were around 30,955 crimes with yearly crime rate of 111.18 (year) or 9.26 (month) ranking 92 out 331 most dangerous city in the UK. As compared to neighboring cities in Outer London, Waltham Forest ranked 9 out 331 in terms of total crimes or 8 as per crime rate of Waltham Forest

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
Merton1,418 169,994 1617,989 15
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
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

Waltham Forest Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

In May 2025, Anti-social behaviour dominated crime reports (647 incidents), followed by Violence and sexual offences also remained a significant concern (572 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (569 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (546 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (598 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (580 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 492 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 476 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Anti-social behaviour (486 reports) and Violence and sexual offences incidents were also notably high (458 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 589 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 499 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Anti-social behaviour (657 reports) and Violence and sexual offences incidents were also notably high (622 cases).

In October 2024, Anti-social behaviour dominated crime reports (629 incidents), followed by Violence and sexual offences also remained a significant concern (558 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Anti-social behaviour were the most frequent (597 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Violence and sexual offences (541 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Anti-social behaviour (664 incidents) and then Violence and sexual offences showed a substantial number of incidents (513 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Theft from the person saw the largest number of reported crimes with 8 incidents, and Violence and sexual offences was another prevalent crime category with 8 incidents.

During June 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (14 reports) and Other crime incidents were also notably high (2 cases).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 1135 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 103.18 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 136 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025136
April 2025132
March 2025127
February 202586
January 202586
December 202479
November 2024131
October 2024131
September 2024132
August 202488
July 20247

A total of 2657 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 241.55 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 422 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025238
April 2025239
March 2025215
February 2025240
January 2025251
December 2024275
November 2024356
October 2024422
September 2024327
August 202493
July 20241

A total of 1140 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 114.00 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 136 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025123
April 202599
March 2025113
February 2025117
January 2025112
December 2024103
November 2024102
October 2024120
September 2024115
August 2024136

A total of 1179 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 107.18 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 190 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20255
April 2025119
March 2025142
February 2025136
January 2025137
December 2024118
November 2024123
October 2024190
September 2024138
August 202470
July 20241

A total of 1846 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 167.82 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 225 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025181
April 2025191
March 2025223
February 2025171
January 2025198
December 2024225
November 2024216
October 2024185
September 2024188
August 202464
July 20244

A total of 785 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 78.50 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 103 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202581
April 202563
March 202587
February 202561
January 202567
December 202484
November 202492
October 2024103
September 202482
August 202465

A total of 341 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 31.00 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 50 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202550
April 202536
March 202542
February 202535
January 202534
December 202411
November 202437
October 202439
September 202443
August 202413
July 20241

A total of 123 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 11.18 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 21 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202512
April 202518
March 202512
February 202510
January 20255
December 202410
November 202415
October 202421
September 20249
August 202410
July 20241

A total of 1360 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 123.64 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 160 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025145
April 2025160
March 2025131
February 2025126
January 2025136
December 2024134
November 2024147
October 2024159
September 2024138
August 202482
June 20242

A total of 5534 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 461.17 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 622 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025572
April 2025569
March 2025598
February 2025492
January 2025458
December 2024589
November 2024622
October 2024558
September 2024541
August 2024513
July 20248
June 202414

A total of 284 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 25.82 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 38 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202526
April 202526
March 202538
February 202520
January 202532
December 202430
November 202437
October 202428
September 202422
August 202423
June 20242

A total of 1606 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 160.60 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 221 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025221
April 2025192
March 2025207
February 2025157
January 2025184
December 2024172
November 2024166
October 2024163
September 2024109
August 202435

A total of 5781 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 578.10 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 664 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025647
April 2025546
March 2025580
February 2025476
January 2025486
December 2024499
November 2024657
October 2024629
September 2024597
August 2024664

A total of 1515 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 137.73 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 214 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025168
April 2025141
March 2025129
February 2025123
January 2025118
December 2024157
November 2024214
October 2024185
September 2024146
August 2024126
July 20248

High Crime Locations Waltham Forest in May 2025

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

1. Further/Higher Educational Building (Map)
Total48
Shoplifting41
Robbery3
Public order2
Other theft2
2. Cork Tree Way (Map)
Total21
Shoplifting20
Other theft1
3. Hanbury Drive (Map)
Total17
Shoplifting9
Anti-social behaviour8
4. Parking Area (Map)
Total16
Violence and sexual offences11
Public order4
Other crime1
5. Supermarket (Map)
Total16
Shoplifting14
Robbery2
6. Blackhorse Road (Map)
Total15
Theft from the person5
Bicycle theft5
Other theft2
Robbery1
Possession of weapons1
Other crime1

To know about postcode areas in Waltham Forest, visit Waltham Forest 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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