Hackney Crime Rate

Hackney is a high-activity inner-London borough with a crime rate of 149.1 per 1,000 people, which is significantly higher than the UK average of 91.6. The area currently holds a safety score of 68/100, placing it below the national average of 79/100. Despite these figures, the crime trend in Hackney is stable, having seen a minor 2.7% decrease over the last year. This indicates that while the borough faces substantial challenges, the situation is not escalating. As a densely populated urban area with a vibrant nightlife, Hackney's crime profile is dominated by violence, anti-social behaviour, and various forms of theft. The following analysis provides a detailed breakdown of these statistics and offers practical advice for residents to enhance their personal and property safety.

About Hackney

Hackney is a vibrant and densely populated inner-London borough known for its cultural diversity, creative industries, and significant gentrification. Its crime statistics are heavily influenced by its urban intensity, major commercial centres, and its reputation as a nightlife destination, particularly in areas like Shoreditch and Dalston. The borough features a mix of high-density social housing, affluent residential streets, and bustling high streets, which creates a complex and varied crime profile.

The high concentration of bars, clubs, and restaurants naturally contributes to elevated levels of anti-social behaviour and public order offences. As a popular destination for both Londoners and tourists, opportunistic crimes such as theft from the person are also more prevalent. Economic disparities and the transient nature of its nightlife population are significant factors that influence per-capita crime figures. Understanding these inner-city dynamics is essential to interpreting the safety score and crime rates for Hackney, which remains a busy and active part of the capital.

Crime in Hackney

Hackney experiences a high crime rate of 149.1 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly above the UK average of 91.6. The most frequent crime category is violence and sexual offences, accounting for 22.1% of all reported incidents. This is followed closely by anti-social behaviour at 20.1% and theft from the person at 10.8%. Other theft and drug offences also feature prominently in the borough's statistics.

Property-related crime in Hackney, which includes burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and criminal damage, occurs at a rate of 67.5 per 1,000 people, more than double the UK average of 32.2. Specifically, theft from the person and other theft are the most significant property concerns. Burglary and vehicle crime each account for approximately 5% of total crime. For residents and homeowners, this means that property security is a critical priority. The combined rates of various theft types, robbery (4.0%), and criminal damage (4.1%) suggest that personal belongings, homes, and vehicles require constant and robust protection in this high-activity urban environment.

Crime Trends in Hackney

The crime trend in Hackney is currently described as stable, with a minor year-over-year decrease of 2.7%. This suggests that crime levels are holding steady. Analysis of the monthly data for 2025 shows a clear seasonal pattern. The crime rate peaked in the summer months, reaching its highest point in July at 14.7 per 1,000 people, followed by June at 13.7. These months coincide with longer daylight hours and increased public activity in the borough.

The lowest crime rates were recorded at the beginning of the year, with February seeing the lowest rate of 9.9 per 1,000, and January at 10.9. From March onwards, the rate remained consistently above 11.0 per 1,000, reflecting the borough's busy inner-city nature. The fact that the trend is stable despite these fluctuations is a positive sign that long-term safety is not deteriorating. However, the consistently high monthly figures mean that residents should maintain a high level of vigilance and property protection throughout the year.

Comparing Hackney to its neighbouring London boroughs reveals its position as a major inner-city hub. While its crime rate of 149.1 per 1,000 is lower than Islington (184.0), it is slightly higher than Haringey (138.2). Other adjacent areas like Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, and Newham show remarkably lower crime rates in this specific comparison, reflecting Hackney's unique combination of high-density residential areas and intense commercial activity. For those considering the region, Hackney offers a dynamic urban environment but requires a higher level of safety awareness and more robust property security than the quieter parts of the capital.

With a property crime rate of 67.5 per 1,000, Hackney residents face a significant risk of burglary, theft, and vehicle crime. In this high-intensity urban environment, traditional security measures often fall short because they are reactive. A standard alarm or camera system only alerts you or records footage after an intruder has already breached your property's perimeter.

scOS offers a proactive alternative by using AI-powered multi-camera intelligence to monitor your home's boundaries 24/7. It is designed to prevent crime before it happens. By identifying potential threats in real-time and distinguishing them from normal activity, scOS can trigger autonomous responses such as activating high-intensity lighting or audio alerts. This immediate intervention can disrupt a criminal's plan before they even reach your door. For Hackney homeowners, the visible deterrence of a professional-grade system like scOS is a powerful tool in protecting assets and ensuring peace of mind in a busy inner-London borough.

How To Keep Safe in Hackney

The most prevalent crime type in Hackney is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for 22% of all reported incidents, followed closely by anti-social behaviour and theft from the person. Personal safety in a busy urban area is a key priority.

1. When moving around the borough, especially in the evenings, stick to well-lit main roads and avoid shortcuts through isolated parks or poorly lit alleyways.
2. Be particularly vigilant in nightlife hubs like Shoreditch and Dalston, where opportunistic theft from the person and anti-social behaviour are more likely to occur.
3. Ensure your home is as secure as possible by using high-quality deadlocks on all external doors and keeping windows locked when you are not in the room.
4. Do not leave any valuables in your vehicle. In a busy area like Hackney, even small items left on display can attract opportunistic thieves.
5. Be extremely mindful of your personal belongings, especially mobile phones and bags, in crowded areas to prevent opportunistic theft from the person, which accounts for over 10% of local crime.
6. Engage with local community policing teams and neighbourhood watch schemes to stay informed about safety initiatives and any specific crime trends in your local neighbourhood.