Crime Rate in Waltham Forest: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Waltham Forest

The total recorded crimes in Waltham Forest, UK in February 2026 are around 2,272 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Waltham Forest crime rate of 8.16 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 Feb were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (594) incidents (-0.34% decrease)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (456) incidents (-6.17% decrease)
  • Vehicle crime: (189) incidents (6.78% increase)
Waltham Forest Crime Hotspots

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

  • Further/Higher Educational Building with total crimes: 35
  • Evanston Avenue with total crimes: 31
  • St James'S Street with total crimes: 21

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 Statstics

In February 2026 the Waltham Forest has recorded 2,272 crimes with crime rate of 8.16 ranking 84th out of 331 in the UK and ranked 10 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

CityFebruary 202620242023
CrimesRank (Outer London)CrimesRank (Outer London)CrimesRank (Outer London)
Harrow1,774 2012,311 1519,636 19
Sutton1,266 198,988 1915,828 18
Richmond upon Thames1,105 188,641 1815,748 17
Bexley1,494 1711,384 1720,257 16
Merton1,269 169,994 1617,989 15
Bromley2,253 1416,680 1328,760 14
Kingston upon Thames1,193 128,165 1415,645 12
Barnet3,100 1320,339 1236,190 13
Havering1,879 1113,869 1125,160 11
Redbridge2,287 1016,685 1029,930 10
Barking and Dagenham1,819 913,850 924,133 9
Hounslow2,415 418,366 832,912 4
Croydon3,532 727,293 343,781 7
Ealing3,435 623,905 641,271 6
Greenwich2,642 519,510 432,543 5
Enfield2,978 322,077 538,814 3
Hillingdon3,158 222,638 136,086 2
Brent3,312 124,651 240,527 1

Waltham Forest Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

February 2026 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 594 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 456 incidents.

During January 2026, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (596 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (486 cases).

December 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 560 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 482 incidents.

During November 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (613 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (590 cases).

In October 2025, Anti-social behaviour dominated crime reports (640 incidents), followed by Violence and sexual offences also remained a significant concern (620 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (584 incidents) were the most common in September 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (562 incidents) also being high.

For August 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Anti-social behaviour (630 incidents) and then Violence and sexual offences showed a substantial number of incidents (528 incidents).

July 2025 crime data shows Anti-social behaviour saw the largest number of reported crimes with 697 incidents, and Violence and sexual offences was another prevalent crime category with 628 incidents.

During June 2025, The highest incident rate was for Anti-social behaviour (645 reports) and Violence and sexual offences incidents were also notably high (631 cases).

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.

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 2448 Other theft incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 188.31 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 223 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 2026148
January 2026179
December 2025208
November 2025219
October 2025191
September 2025199
August 2025184
July 2025187
June 2025167
May 2025181
April 2025191
March 2025223
February 2025171

A total of 1423 Burglary incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 109.46 incidents per month. September 2025 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 125 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 2026121
January 2026124
December 2025124
November 2025118
October 2025100
September 2025125
August 2025105
July 202578
June 202576
May 2025123
April 202599
March 2025113
February 2025117

A total of 7585 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 583.46 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 631 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 2026594
January 2026596
December 2025560
November 2025613
October 2025620
September 2025584
August 2025528
July 2025628
June 2025631
May 2025572
April 2025569
March 2025598
February 2025492

A total of 1653 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 127.15 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 168 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 2026115
January 2026132
December 2025146
November 2025110
October 2025119
September 202592
August 2025104
July 2025140
June 2025134
May 2025168
April 2025141
March 2025129
February 2025123

A total of 872 Robbery incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 67.08 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 87 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 202660
January 202659
December 202567
November 202570
October 202556
September 202538
August 202574
July 202570
June 202586
May 202581
April 202563
March 202587
February 202561

A total of 7437 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 572.08 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 697 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 2026456
January 2026486
December 2025482
November 2025590
October 2025640
September 2025562
August 2025630
July 2025697
June 2025645
May 2025647
April 2025546
March 2025580
February 2025476

A total of 2837 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 218.23 incidents per month. November 2025 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 249 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 2026189
January 2026177
December 2025194
November 2025249
October 2025203
September 2025238
August 2025193
July 2025227
June 2025235
May 2025238
April 2025239
March 2025215
February 2025240

A total of 2368 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 182.15 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 221 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 2026181
January 2026188
December 2025136
November 2025140
October 2025191
September 2025180
August 2025184
July 2025205
June 2025186
May 2025221
April 2025192
March 2025207
February 2025157

A total of 1616 Public order incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 124.31 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 180 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 2026111
January 2026112
December 2025127
November 2025114
October 2025122
September 2025127
August 202599
July 2025180
June 2025143
May 2025136
April 2025132
March 2025127
February 202586

A total of 173 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 13.31 incidents per month. December 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 20 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 202614
January 202614
December 202520
November 202514
October 202513
September 202515
August 20255
July 202512
June 202514
May 202512
April 202518
March 202512
February 202510

A total of 323 Other crime incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 24.85 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 38 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 202620
January 202628
December 202526
November 202525
October 202515
September 202534
August 202522
July 202523
June 202520
May 202526
April 202526
March 202538
February 202520

A total of 1874 Drugs incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 144.15 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 163 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 2026113
January 2026159
December 2025158
November 2025138
October 2025144
September 2025160
August 2025131
July 2025146
June 2025163
May 2025145
April 2025160
March 2025131
February 2025126

A total of 1564 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 120.31 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 142 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 2026137
January 2026125
December 2025120
November 2025141
October 2025141
September 2025116
August 2025120
July 2025137
June 2025125
May 20255
April 2025119
March 2025142
February 2025136

A total of 435 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 33.46 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 50 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 202613
January 202626
December 202525
November 202535
October 202534
September 202537
August 202540
July 202529
June 202533
May 202550
April 202536
March 202542
February 202535

High Crime Locations Waltham Forest in February 2026

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

1. Further/Higher Educational Building (Map)
Total35
Shoplifting35
2. Evanston Avenue (Map)
Total31
Violence and sexual offences29
Other theft2
3. St James'S Street (Map)
Total21
Shoplifting15
Robbery2
Criminal damage and arson2
Theft from the person1
Other crime1
4. Lea Bridge Road (Map)
Total18
Anti-social behaviour10
Violence and sexual offences7
Robbery1
5. Lynn Road (Map)
Total16
Shoplifting11
Violence and sexual offences4
Robbery1
6. Parking Area (Map)
Total16
Violence and sexual offences8
Public order3
Other theft2
Criminal damage and arson2
Robbery1

  • 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.