Crime Rate in Balham: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Balham

The total recorded crimes in Balham, Wandsworth, UK in May 2025 are around 182 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Balham crime rate of 1.36 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 Balham, encompassing approximately 133,367 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during May were:

  • Shoplifting: (43) incidents (2.38% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (34) incidents (13.33% increase)
  • Violence and sexual offences: (32) incidents (45.45% increase)
Balham Crime Hotspots

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

  • Supermarket with total crimes: 33
  • Supermarket with total crimes: 25
  • Clapham South with total crimes: 10

How safe is Balham?

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

  • Relative to Wandsworth:

    • In 2024, Balham reported a higher crime volume than the Wandsworth average, with 1,226 crimes compared to 851. This indicates a potentially challenging safety environment in the region for the year. Furthermore, Balham witnessed more crimes than 19 out of 21 other areas in the Wandsworth.

    • In 2023, Balham experienced a greater number of crimes than the Wandsworth average, with 2,205 crimes compared to 1,522. This indicates a higher crime burden for the area in the region during this period. Furthermore, Balham witnessed more crimes than 19 out of 21 other areas in the Wandsworth.

  • Overall Assessment:

    • Compared to other areas in Wandsworth, Balham has a higher crime rate and is considered more dangerous in 2024.

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

Balham Crime Statstics

In May 2025 the Balham has recorded 182 crimes with crime rate of 1.36 ranking 5th out of 21 in the Wandsworth, UK

In 2024, the total Balham crimes were 1,226. The crime rate of Balham in 2024 was 9.19 (year) or 0.77 (month) ranking it 3 dangerous area in the Wandsworth.

In 2023, the total crimes in Balham were around 2,205 crimes with yearly crime rate of 16.53 (year) or 1.38 (month) ranking 3 most dangerous area in the Wandsworth.

AreaMay 202520242023
CrimesRank (Balham)CrimesRank (Balham)CrimesRank (Balham)
Tooting Broadway210 31,612 23,350 1
Lavender214 11,712 12,750 2
Roehampton210 21,214 42,084 5
Battersea Park162 81,168 62,105 4
Wandsworth Town207 41,202 51,935 6
Nine Elms174 6767 11925 17
Thamesfield144 9998 71,923 7
St Mary's169 7995 81,490 8
Tooting Bec104 14707 151,473 9
Wandsworth Common110 12795 91,436 11
Furzedown104 15746 131,469 10
Falconbrook113 11789 101,428 12
Trinity118 10752 121,225 15
East Putney92 17645 171,268 13
West Hill110 13652 161,236 14
Shaftesbury & Queenstown97 16736 141,153 16
West Putney64 20462 18905 18
South Balham81 18453 19835 19
Northcote65 19390 20736 22
Wandle56 22376 21809 20
Southfields57 21332 22747 21

Balham Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

In May 2025, Shoplifting dominated crime reports (43 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (34 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Shoplifting were the most frequent (42 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (30 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Anti-social behaviour (40 incidents) and then Shoplifting showed a substantial number of incidents (36 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Anti-social behaviour saw the largest number of reported crimes with 33 incidents, and Vehicle crime was another prevalent crime category with 26 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Anti-social behaviour (33 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (22 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 31 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 28 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Shoplifting (31 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (28 cases).

In October 2024, Anti-social behaviour dominated crime reports (42 incidents), followed by Violence and sexual offences also remained a significant concern (33 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (30 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Shoplifting (27 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (27 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (22 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Public order saw the largest number of reported crimes with 3 incidents, and Theft from the person was another prevalent crime category with 3 incidents.

In May 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (7 incidents), followed by Drugs also remained a significant concern (5 incidents).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 276 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 23.00 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 35 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202532
April 202522
March 202535
February 202515
January 202519
December 202431
November 202423
October 202433
September 202430
August 202427
July 20242
May 20247

A total of 301 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 30.10 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 42 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202534
April 202530
March 202540
February 202533
January 202533
December 202413
November 202428
October 202442
September 202426
August 202422

A total of 167 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 15.18 incidents per month. February 2025 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 26 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202522
April 202513
March 202512
February 202526
January 202513
December 202416
November 202421
October 202419
September 202421
August 20243
July 20241

A total of 135 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 11.25 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 26 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202513
April 20257
March 202512
February 202512
January 202513
December 202417
November 202418
October 202426
September 20248
August 20245
July 20243
May 20241

A total of 134 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 11.17 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 23 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202513
April 202516
March 20259
February 20258
January 202511
December 202411
November 202416
October 202423
September 202412
August 20249
July 20241
May 20245

A total of 287 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 28.70 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 43 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202543
April 202542
March 202536
February 202525
January 202522
December 202428
November 202431
October 202423
September 202427
August 202410

A total of 63 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 5.73 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 11 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20256
April 20256
March 20256
February 20251
January 20255
December 20249
November 20246
October 202411
September 20245
August 20247
July 20241

A total of 32 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 2.67 incidents per month. May 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 5 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20252
April 20252
March 20254
February 20251
January 20253
December 20243
November 20244
October 20243
September 20242
August 20242
July 20241
May 20245

A total of 91 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 9.10 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 13 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20255
April 20253
March 202512
February 20257
January 20257
December 20249
November 202412
October 202412
September 202411
August 202413

A total of 24 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 2.67 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 6 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20253
April 20251
March 20254
February 20251
December 20242
November 20244
October 20241
September 20246
August 20242

A total of 79 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 6.58 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 11 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20257
April 202511
March 20258
February 20255
January 20253
December 20244
November 202411
October 20248
September 20245
August 202410
July 20243
May 20244

A total of 8 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.60 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20252
February 20252
January 20252
December 20241
September 20241

A total of 47 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 4.70 incidents per month. January 2025 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 8 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 20254
March 20252
February 20254
January 20258
December 20246
November 20244
October 20248
September 20245
August 20245
July 20241

A total of 5 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.00 incidents per month. February 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 1 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 20251
December 20241
September 20241
July 20241
May 20241

High Crime Locations Balham in May 2025

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

1. Supermarket (Map)
Total33
Shoplifting22
Theft from the person3
Violence and sexual offences3
Public order2
Anti-social behaviour1
Bicycle theft1
Robbery1
2. Supermarket (Map)
Total25
Shoplifting12
Anti-social behaviour8
Other theft2
Burglary1
Theft from the person1
Violence and sexual offences1
3. Clapham South (Map)
Total10
Burglary2
Other theft2
Public order2
Shoplifting2
Theft from the person1
Violence and sexual offences1
4. Petrol Station (Map)
Total7
Shoplifting4
Violence and sexual offences3
5. Balham Grove (Map)
Total6
Violence and sexual offences3
Anti-social behaviour2
Burglary1
6. Supermarket (Map)
Total6
Bicycle theft2
Robbery2
Theft from the person1
Violence and sexual offences1
7. Norgrove Street (Map)
Total5
Vehicle crime2
Violence and sexual offences2
Anti-social behaviour1
8. Balham (Map)
Total5
Other theft2
Theft from the person1
Vehicle crime1
Violence and sexual offences1
9. Caistor Road (Map)
Total4
Anti-social behaviour4
10. Hildreth Street (Map)
Total4
Drugs1
Public order1
Theft from the person1
Violence and sexual offences1

  • 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.