Crime Rate in Waltham Forest: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Waltham Forest

The total recorded crimes in Waltham Forest, UK in March 2025 are around 2,644 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Waltham Forest crime rate of 9.50 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 Mar were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (598) incidents (21.54% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (580) incidents (21.85% increase)
  • Other theft: (223) incidents (30.41% increase)
Waltham Forest Crime Hotspots

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

  • Devonshire Close with total crimes: 36
  • Further/Higher Educational Building with total crimes: 28
  • Supermarket with total crimes: 24

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, High Street (227 crimes), and the safest, Endlebury (43 crimes), is 184 crimes. This measurable difference indicates a some disparity in safety across Waltham Forest.

Similarly, the area of Walthamstow Market & South Grove (237 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Larkswood (31 crimes), with a difference of 206 crimes. This noticeable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Waltham Forest.

Most Dangerous Wards:

High Street227
Valley222
Lea Bridge207
Leytonstone183
Hoe Street174

Safest Wards:

Chingford Green57
Larkswood54
Upper Walthamstow54
Markhouse52
Endlebury43

Most Dangerous Areas:

Walthamstow Market & South Grove237
South Chingford170
Leytonstone East163
Leyton South147
Lloyd Park133

Safest Areas:

Friday Hill55
Highams Park West51
Leyton East50
Chingford Green West36
Larkswood31

Waltham Forest Crime Statstics

In March 2025 the Waltham Forest has recorded 2,644 crimes with crime rate of 9.50 ranking 8211th out of 331 in the UK and ranked 8 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

CityMarch 202520242023
CrimesRank (Outer London)CrimesRank (Outer London)CrimesRank (Outer London)
Sutton20 278,988 1915,828 18
Brent85 2224,651 240,527 1
Harrow1,686 2012,311 1519,636 19
Richmond upon Thames1,291 188,641 1815,748 17
Bexley1,755 1711,384 1720,257 16
Merton1,579 169,994 1617,989 15
Redbridge2,425 1516,685 1029,930 10
Bromley2,441 1416,680 1328,760 14
Kingston upon Thames1,312 128,165 1415,645 12
Barnet3,090 1320,339 1236,190 13
Havering2,043 1113,869 1125,160 11
Barking and Dagenham2,070 913,850 924,133 9
Hounslow2,580 418,366 832,912 4
Croydon3,913 727,293 343,781 7
Ealing3,658 623,905 641,271 6
Greenwich2,932 519,510 432,543 5
Enfield3,196 322,077 538,814 3
Hillingdon3,299 222,638 136,086 2

Waltham Forest Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

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

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

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 1193 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 149.12 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 207 reported cases.

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

A total of 1055 Drugs incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 117.22 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 159 reported cases.

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

A total of 255 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 28.33 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 43 reported cases.

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

A total of 867 Public order incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 96.33 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 132 reported cases.

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

A total of 1055 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 117.22 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 190 reported cases.

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

A total of 2180 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 242.22 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 422 reported cases.

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

A total of 1474 Other theft incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 163.78 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 225 reported cases.

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

A total of 4588 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 573.50 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 664 reported cases.

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

A total of 4393 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 439.30 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 622 reported cases.

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

A total of 232 Other crime incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 25.78 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 38 reported cases.

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

A total of 93 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 10.33 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 21 reported cases.

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

A total of 641 Robbery incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 80.12 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 103 reported cases.

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

A total of 1206 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 134.00 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 214 reported cases.

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

A total of 918 Burglary incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 114.75 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 136 reported cases.

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

High Crime Locations Waltham Forest in March 2025

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

1. Devonshire Close (Map)
Total36
Anti-social behaviour30
Robbery3
Burglary3
2. Further/Higher Educational Building (Map)
Total28
Shoplifting23
Other theft3
Criminal damage and arson2
3. Supermarket (Map)
Total24
Shoplifting21
Vehicle crime3
4. Petrol Station (Map)
Total20
Shoplifting18
Public order2
5. Supermarket (Map)
Total20
Shoplifting20
6. Bus/Coach Station (Map)
Total19
Anti-social behaviour5
Violence and sexual offences4
Theft from the person4
Robbery3
Other theft2
Bicycle theft1

  • 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.