London, the capital of England, is one of the most popular tourist locations in the world. With a population of nearly 9,748,033 and nearly 30 million tourists each year, London has seen its own fair share of crowds.
But even though, many people live and visit the city – crime is an ongoing problem. This causes many people to wonder which London areas to avoid and whether the city is really safe. In this article, we’ll be counting down the top 10 most dangerous areas in London.
Is London A Dangerous City?
According to Crimerate, last year London had an overall crime rate of 105 crimes per 1,000 people. But when compared to the UK crime rate, London’s is 31% worse. Last year, London’s most common crime was violent and sexual crimes, which was estimated to happen to at least 30 people out of the 1,000 daytime population.
London’s crime rate might be higher than other UK places due to its large population and status as a major tourist attraction. However, like any city, London has both safe areas and more dangerous ones with higher crime levels. So, which are the most dangerous places in London?
Most Common Crimes In London
Plenty of crimes are committed in London, but what are the city’s most common crimes? We’ve looked at 2023 crime statistics from the Metropolitan Police to get a better idea of what the worst crime in London is.
Crime | Figure |
Theft | 282,069 |
Violence Against The Person | 251,819 |
Other Accepted Crime | 106,355 |
Vehicle Offences | 105,937 |
Public Order Offences | 60,382 |
Criminal Damage and Arson | 57,512 |
Burglary | 56,777 |
Drug Offences | 39,099 |
Robbery | 33,862 |
Sexual Offences | 24,405 |
Miscellaneous Crimes Against Society | 11,521 |
Possessions Of Weapons | 6,276 |
The statistics reveal that the most common crime in London is currently theft. Theft crime significantly impacts businesses the most. They can lead to financial losses, increased security costs, and potential harm to their reputation.
We’ve discussed a little about London’s overall crime rates, now let’s move on to the most dangerous parts of London.
Most Dangerous Areas In London
We’ve used data collected by the Metropolitan Police to discover which London areas are the most dangerous. The data we’ve included is from January 2023 to December 2023, and it shows the average crime rate and offences reported for each borough.
Brent
10th on the list of the most dangerous areas in London is Brent with 35,408 crimes. Brent is a borough located in north London. Last year, the area had an overall crime count of 108 crimes committed per 1,000 people. The worst crime in this area was violence against persons, which was reported over 9,580 times.
Hackney
Hackney, located in east London, was voted as the 9th most dangerous area to live in London. Last year, Hackney had over 36,120 crimes reported and an average crime of 128.6 crimes per 1,000 people. Hackney’s worst crime is currently theft. Last year theft crimes were reported over 10,296 times.
Ealing
Ealing is a borough located in west London. This area was voted as the 8th most dangerous area in London. Last year, Ealing had over 37,060 crimes reported, and an average crime rate of 108.9 crimes per 1,000 people. Ealing’s worst crime was violent crimes which were committed over 10,670 times.
Lambeth
Lambeth, located in south London, was voted as the 7th most dangerous borough in London. Last year Lambeth had an average crime rate of 124 crimes per 1,000 people. The borough also had over 39,918 crimes reported. Lambeth’s worst crime last year was violent crimes which were reported over 11,509 times.
Croydon
Croydon, located in the southern district, is the 6th most dangerous area in London. In 2023, Croydon had over 40,247 crimes reported. It also had an average crime rate of 103.6 crimes per 1,000 people. Last year, Croydon’s worst crime was violence against people crimes, which were reported over 11,579 times.
Tower Hamlets
Tower Hamlets, located in the heart of London city, ranks as the 5th most dangerous area in London. Last year, this area had an average crime rate of 126.7 crimes per 1,000 people and a crime count of 42,058 crimes reported. Tower Hamlets’ worst crime in 2023 was theft which was reported over 10,965 times.
Southwark
Southwark, nown for its iconic attractions like The Shard, London Bridge, and Shakespeare’s Globe, comes in as the 4th most dangerous part of London. In 2023, Southwark had over 42,202 crimes reported – making its average crime rate 131.9 crimes per 1,000 people. Southwark’s worst crime is currently theft. Last year, theft crimes were reported over 14,515 times.
Camden
Camden was voted as the 3rd most dangerous area in London with a record-breaking 42,886 crimes committed. The borough also had an average crime rate of 156.7 crimes per 1,000 people. During 2023, Camden’s worst crime was theft, which was reported 18,648 times.
Newham
Newham, situated in the eastern end of London, was voted the 2nd most dangerous area to live in London with a reported number of 43,866 crimes. The borough also had an average crime rate of 123.5 crimes per 1,000 people. Last year, Newham theft crimes were at an all-time high. These types of crimes were reported over 11,951 times.
Westminister
Westminister, is home to the UK’s most famous buildings, like Westminster Abbey, the House of Parliament and Buckingham Palace. Westminsters ranks as London’s most dangerous area, with over 97,764 crimes committed and an average crime rate of 352.6 crimes per 1,000 people. During 2023, the borough’s worst crime was theft crimes, which were reported over 57,802 times.
Here is a table summary of the top 10 most dangerous areas in London.
Boroughs |
Total Crimes |
Crime Rate |
Westminster |
97,764 |
352.6 |
Newham |
43,866 |
123.5 |
Camden |
42,886 |
156.7 |
Southwark |
42,202 |
131.9 |
Tower Hamlets |
42,058 |
126.7 |
Croydon |
40,247 |
103.6 |
Lambeth |
39,918 |
124 |
Ealing |
37,060 |
108.9 |
Hackney |
36,120 |
128.6 |
Brent |
35,408 |
108 |
What Is The Most Dangerous Area In London?
Statistics indicate that Westminster has the highest crime rate, making it the most dangerous area in London. This could be due to its proximity to Parliament and major attractions, leading to high tourist traffic and, consequently, higher crime rates.
However, the large police presence and extensive CCTV coverage in key areas can make Westminster safer at times. Despite being a significant crime hotspot, this does not necessarily mean that Westminster is one of the worst places to live in London.
Why Is London So Dangerous?
The high crime rates from the unsafe areas in London contributes to the city’s reputation of being dangerous. As a global city, London not only has a large population but also attracts a high number of tourists daily, creating more opportunities for crime.
In addition to being busy, London has many financial institutions and political buildings. These places can often attract vandals and criminals, making the city more of a target for specific types of crimes.
So, What Are The Worst Areas For Crime In London?
Overall, the worst areas in London for crimes are Westminster, Newham and Camden. These places are busier tourist areas so it’s no wonder that crime is more predominant in these areas. These busy tourist areas naturally experience more crime, making it crucial for businesses to implement strong security measures, such as hiring security guards.
Hiring a security firm can help reduce the risk of criminal activity. Firms can install CCTV cameras to monitor the premises or provide security personnel to deter potential thieves. Additionally, they can evaluate your current security measures and offer recommendations to enhance the safety of your organisation.
If you’re interested in staying up to date with the latest London news, why not take a look at our blog? Where you can find articles about whether Manchester is safer than London.
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