London, the UK’s largest city and one of the most visited places in the world, is a vibrant hub of culture, history, and activity. With over 20 million tourists exploring its streets every year, it’s no surprise that London is a top destination for visitors and residents alike.
Whether you’re considering a short visit, a long-term move, leaving a less safe part of the country, or looking to escape some of the more dangerous areas of England & Wales, knowing the safest areas in London is key to making the right choice. Today, we’ll explore the boroughs with the lowest crime rates, providing useful insights backed by statistics. Let’s discuss how safe London really is and discover the areas where safety stands out.
How Safe Is London?
London is a mix of busy streets, peaceful parks, and historic landmarks. It is a city full of life and culture with over 14 million residents. However, like all big cities, it faces challenges with crime.
Recent statistics show London’s overall crime rate is 116 crimes per 1,000 residents (from October 2023 to September 2024). Theft and violent crime are the biggest contributors, with theft accounting for 343,114 offences and violent crime for 262,686 offences over the year. Theft alone has risen by 15%, highlighting ongoing concerns for residents and visitors alike.
Despite these numbers, there’s some good news. Certain types of crime have significantly decreased. For example, weapon possession dropped by 11% compared to the previous year and is down by 23% compared to two years ago. Cases of arson have decreased by 26%, fraud and forgery by 11%, and vehicle interference by 5%. These improvements are steps in the right direction and provide hope for Londoners.
While London overall may face challenges, several boroughs stand out as safer areas with declining crime rates. Let’s explore these safe havens and what makes them ideal for residents and visitors.
The Top 15 Safest Boroughs in London
Let’s explore the 15 safest boroughs in London and see how their crime rates compare.
1- Richmond upon Thames
Overall crime rate of 65.7 crimes per 1,000 people and incidents: 3,260
Richmond upon Thames is the safest borough in London. It’s known for its scenic green spaces, convenient transport links, and affluent population, all of which contribute to its low crime rate of 65.7 crimes per 1,000 residents. This borough has the lowest violent crime rate in the city, with only 3,260 incidents reported. It also has the lowest number of criminal damage cases (961) and consistently low numbers for drug-related crimes (183 incidents) and weapon possession (39 incidents).
2- Harrow
Overall crime rate of 68.2 crimes per 1,000 people
Harrow is a well-connected borough with a strong community feel. It is close to central London, offers excellent transport links, and is known for its educational institutions and green spaces. Harrow’s low crime rate of 68.2 crimes per 1,000 people makes it one of London’s safest areas. It recorded the lowest number of arson cases (31) and impressively low rates of criminal damage (1,069 incidents) and shoplifting (1,763 incidents), which are common issues in London.
3- Kingston upon Thames
Overall crime rate of 68.3 crimes per 1,000 people
Kingston upon Thames, located along the River Thames, is known for its mix of commerce and green spaces like Richmond Park and the Thames Riverside. This balance contributes to its low crime rate of 68.3 crimes per 1,000 residents. The borough has some of the lowest crime figures in London. It recorded just 110 cases of sexual assault and 72 business robberies, the lowest in the city. Thefts from motor vehicles are also on a downward trend, with 438 incidents reported.
4- Sutton
Overall crime rate of 68.7 crimes per 1,000 people
Sutton stands out for its vibrant arts and culture scene. It’s home to some of the most well-known theatres in London, which contributes to its safety and community spirit. With a low crime rate of 68.7 crimes per 1,000 people, Sutton is one of London’s safest boroughs. Business robbery is notably low in Sutton, with only 90 reported incidents, making it the second lowest in London. Other crimes, like personal robbery (282 incidents) and theft from motor vehicles (582 incidents), are also relatively low, reflecting the borough’s strong policing efforts.
5- Merton
Overall crime rate of 72.1 crimes per 1,000 people
Merton ranks among the top five safest boroughs in London. Its lower levels of poverty and improving income rates contribute to its safety, reflected in its crime rate of 72.1 crimes per 1,000 residents. Merton boasts the lowest rate of business burglary in London, with only 198 reported cases. It also has low rates of drug possession (353 offences) and criminal damage (1,144 offences), making it a desirable place to live.
6- Bexley
Overall crime rate of 72.8 crimes per 1,000 people
Bexley is a suburban borough with a good mix of family-friendly neighbourhoods and green spaces like Foots Cray Meadows and Danson Park. This balance helps keep its overall crime rate at 72.8 crimes per 1,000 residents. Bexley has the lowest rate of bicycle theft in London, with just 84 reported cases. Business burglary (279 offences) and theft from vehicles (981 offences) are also among the lowest in the city, making it one of London’s safest areas.
7- Barnet
Overall crime rate of 77.4 crimes per 1,000 people
Barnet, located in North London near the Metropolitan Green Belt, is another safe borough. Its focus on maintaining green spaces and cultural heritage helps keep its crime rate low at 77.4 crimes per 1,000 residents. The borough has the second-lowest rate of weapon possession in the city, with 118 reported offences. Barnet also has low rates of criminal damage (1,938 offences) and arson (75 offences), making it a safe place to live.
8- Bromley
Overall crime rate of 77.6 crimes per 1,000 people
Bromley, located in southeast London, is known for its green spaces and well-preserved historic architecture. These features play a big role in making Bromley one of the safest boroughs in London. Its overall crime rate is 77.6 crimes per 1,000 people. A strong local authority presence and landmarks like Bromley Old Town Hall help keep crime rates low. The borough has fewer cases of business burglary (420 offences) and drug possession (580 offences) compared to other areas in London.
9- Redbridge
Overall crime rate of 84.6 crimes per 1,000 people
Redbridge, known for its lush Hainault Forest Country Park, maintains a strong focus on green spaces and its local economy. This North London borough also emphasises education and arts, which helps keep crime rates low. The overall crime rate of the area is 84.6 crimes per 1,000 people making it one of the safest boroughs in London. Redbridge has London’s lowest rate of criminal damage, with 1,515 offences reported. The borough also has low rates of drug possession (644 offences) and bicycle theft (216 offences), making it a safer area for residents and businesses alike.
10- Havering
Overall crime rate of 87.3 crimes per 1,000 people
Havering is home to over 7,000 businesses and is one of London’s most affordable boroughs, ranked second Trust for London’s latest report. This affordability and its balanced economy contribute to its safety, with a crime rate of 87.3 crimes per 1,000 residents.
Havering has the second-lowest rate of bicycle theft in London, with only 118 incidents. Additionally, it has relatively low rates of business robbery (161 offences) and weapon possession (148 offences), further enhancing its safety profile.
11- Wandsworth
Overall crime rate of 87.3 crimes per 1,000 people
According to a recent report from Trust For London, Wandsworth has one of the lowest unemployment rates in London, with only 4.6% of its population out of work during the 2023/24 fiscal year. This economic stability is one reason why Wandsworth is among London’s safest boroughs. With a crime rate of 87.3 crimes per 1,000 residents, Wandsworth stands out for its low figures in criminal damage (1,710 offences) and drug possession (669 offences). These numbers reflect the borough’s focus on maintaining safety.
12- Waltham Forest
Overall crime rate of 93.9 crimes per 1,000 people
Home to parts of Epping Forest, Waltham Forest combines green spaces with urban living, keeping its crime rate at 93.9 crimes per 1,000 people. This places it among the safer boroughs in London. The borough has a thriving cultural scene and improved policing, leading to some of the city’s lowest rates of shoplifting (1,854 incidents), arson (55 incidents), and criminal damage (1,807 incidents).
13- Enfield
Overall crime rate of 94 crimes per 1,000 people
Located in North London, Enfield has seen substantial redevelopment over the last 20 years, especially in its town centre and Edmonton Green area. These investments have helped reduce the borough’s crime rate to 94 crimes per 1,000 people. Enfield stands out for its low rates of business robbery (149 incidents) and bicycle theft (216 incidents), both well below the London average.
14- Ealing
Overall crime rate of 96.6 crimes per 1,000 people
Ealing, a key nightlife destination in West London, has undergone significant economic growth over the past six decades. With a crime rate of 96.6 crimes per 1,000 residents, areas like Pitshanger and Gunnersbury remain relatively secure. The borough’s focus on retail and cultural development contributes to its safety. Drug possession (686 incidents), pickpocketing (1,247 incidents), and motor vehicle theft (1,305 incidents) are all below the citywide averages.
15- Croydon
Overall crime rate of 97 crimes per 1,000 people
With nearly 400,000 residents, Croydon is one of London’s most populous boroughs. Despite its size, the crime rate is relatively low compared to over half of the capital’s boroughs, standing at 97 crimes per 1,000 people. As a major commercial hub, Croydon benefits from a strong sense of community. This is reflected in the lower-than-expected rates of business burglary (598 incidents), pickpocketing (846 incidents), and bicycle theft (206 incidents).
How Have Guard Mark Security Sourced This Data?
To ensure accuracy and transparency, this data comes directly from the Metropolitan Police’s official records, covering the period from October 2023 to October 2024. For consistency, we’ve calculated crime rates as the number of offences per 1,000 residents. This method accounts for differences in population and area size between boroughs, offering a fair comparison.
Additionally, we’ve broken down crime statistics into specific offence categories. This approach helps provide a clearer understanding of the types of crimes occurring in London’s safest boroughs.
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