Croydon has one of the highest crime rates in London, with 3,398 reports of crime in August 2019 alone, according to the Metropolitan Police.

Compared to recent years statistics, Croydon’s rate of crime is on a steady increase from previous years. In August 2019, the Metropolitan Police received 3,398 reports of crime, compared to 3,252 in August 2018. These reports are an accumulation of 14 set categories and touch upon a wide variety of crimes.

The statistics touched upon all of the 28 areas in Croydon, with the most dangerous area seeing 552 reports of crime this August, and the area with the least criminal activity with reports of 33.

Croydon had the eighth highest number of reported crimes in London last year, which involves, anti-social behaviour, violence and sexual offenders, other theft, bicycle theft, burglary, criminal damage and arson, drugs, other crime, possession of weapons, public order, robbery, shoplifting, theft from person and vehicle crime.

5) Waddon – 200 Crime Reports

In August 2019, 200 incidents were reported to police in the Waddon area. Almost 35% of these crimes were related to anti-social social behaviour, amounting to 64 total reports. The second largest number of crimes reported was violent and sexual offences at a total of 28 reports. There was also 24 incidents of vehicle crime.

The other remaining incidents were for bicycle theft (1), burglary (18), criminal damage and arson (17), drugs (8), other crime (3), other theft (11), possession of weapons (3), public order (6), robbery (5), shoplifting (9) and theft from person (3).

4) Thornton Heath – 205 Crime Report

In August, there were a total of 205 reported incidents in Thornton Heath, only slightly above Waddon’s reported incidents with an extra 5 reports. This was for a variety of 13 reports, out of 14. The most crime reported was for violence and sexual offences, with 59 reports.

The highest amount of reports in Thornton Heath was for violent and sexual offences, which stood at a total of 59, resulting at over 28%. A close second of reports was for anti-social behaviour, at a total of 54. The third highest rating was for vehicle crime at a total of 18 reports.

Reports also arose for bicycle theft (1), burglary (15), criminal damage and arson (9), drugs (10), other crime (3), other theft (13), possession of weapons (1), public order (10), robbery (4) and shoplifting (8).

3) West Thornton – 231 Crime Reports

Slightly above the crime rate of Thornton Heath, West Thornton had a total of 231 reported police incidents in August for a variety of 12 crimes, out of a possible 14.

The most reported crime of 51 instances, were for anti-social behaviour. Violence and sexual offences were reported at a second highest of 50 instances, and the third highest was of 35 reports for ‘other’ theft.

The other reported instances included cases of burglary (14), criminal damage and arson (24), drugs (13), other crime (6), public order (7), robbery (13), shoplifting (5) and vehicle crime (13).

2) Broad Green – 256 Crime Reports

The area with the second highest amount of crimes reported is Broad Green. Over the entirety of August, there was a total of 256 crimes reports. 

The highest reported crime, with a total of 63 was for anti-social behaviour. A close second at 58 reports was for violence and sexual offences, and drugs came as a third with 23 reporting’s.

Other reported incidents involved all of the 14 possible variety of crimes, bicycle theft (1), burglary (12), criminal damage and arson (16), other crime (2), other theft (19), possession of weapons (3), public order (17), robbery (5), shoplifting (13), theft from person (3) and vehicle crime (21).

1) Fairfield – 552 Crime Reports

Fairfield was had the highest amount of crimes reported in Croydon. 552 incidents were reported, doubling Broad Green’s reported criminal incidents.

The highest reporting of crime was for anti-social behaviour, at a total of 143 reports. A close second for reports was for violence and sexual offenders, at 132 reports. At quite a significant drop and third for criminal reporting’s was ‘other’ theft at 52. 

All of the crimes reported touched upon all 14 of the variety of crimes. Other crimes included bicycle theft (6), burglary (27), criminal damage and arson (18), drugs (24), other crime (2), possession of weapons (9), public order (26), robbery (19), shoplifting (51), theft from person (23) and vehicle crime (20).

Statistics showed all of 28 areas in Croydon with Selsdon Vale and Forestdale at the lowest rating of 33, at an extremely significant drop compared to Fairfield with a staggering 552 reports.

The Met have also revealed to the public the amount of ‘stop and search’ activities that occurred in August. Waddon was the area with the fewest stop and searches with 48, there were 58 searches in Thornton Heath, 37 in West Thornton, 197 searches in Broad Green and 217 in Fairfield. All of these reported searches have increased since last year.

For specific activity in Waddon, Thornton Heath, West Thornton, Broad Green and Fairfield, visit Met Police website.

Crime levels in this area between September 2018 and August 2019

Police statistics show that the rate of all crime is on a slow but steady increase – by reported crime – in the Croydon area. Despite low reporting in April this year, the graph shows a stead incline in numbered reports.

Further details revealed the outcomes of these crimes within Croydon between September 2018 and August 2019. The highest outcome of the crimes were still under investigation at a total of 69.71%, no further action is needed on 19.44% of crimes, for 6.54% of crimes the offender was dealt with by police, 1.97% of offenders were sent to court and 2.33% of the offenders were dealt with at court.

Anti-social behaviour was the most reported crime – it is defined as ‘behaviour’ by a person which causes, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to a person.

Despite a significant drop in the number of reports for anti-social behaviour in February this year, the data clearly indicates a higher increase of reporting’s of supposable anti-social behaviour compared to last year statistics. Despite a very small drop in the number of reporting’s this August, numbered reporting’s for anti-social behaviour are still on a steady increase for 2019.

Due to the high reporting’s of anti-social behaviour within London, among any other report of crime, Met Police has published tips for the public. They have released articles for staying safe, traveling safe, staying safe whilst visiting, what to do about harassment and dealing with drugs.