Islington Crime Rate

Islington presents a complex urban safety profile with an overall crime rate of 183.9 per 1,000 people, which is substantially higher than the UK average of 91.7. As a central London borough, it experiences high levels of activity, resulting in a safety score of 62/100. While this is below the UK average of 79, it reflects the typical challenges of a densely populated metropolitan area. The recent trend shows a stable environment, with crime increasing by only 1.5% year-over-year. Much of the borough's criminal activity is driven by anti-social behaviour and opportunistic theft. This guide provides a detailed look at Islington's crime data to help residents and businesses understand their local safety context.

Islington is a densely populated and diverse London borough, characterized by a mix of affluent residential areas, significant commercial zones, and vibrant nightlife hubs like Upper Street and Angel. As a central London authority, it serves as a major transport gateway with hubs such as Highbury & Islington and Farringdon, which attract a high volume of transient population. These factors, combined with significant economic disparity across the borough, contribute to its complex crime statistics. The high density of retail spaces and the active night-time economy are primary drivers for offences such as shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. Additionally, its central location makes it a target for opportunistic crimes like theft from the person, which are more prevalent in areas with high footfall. Understanding these urban dynamics is key to interpreting the borough's crime rate and safety score.

In Islington, the crime profile is led by anti-social behaviour, which accounts for 21.9% of all reported incidents with 9,003 cases. This is followed closely by violence and sexual offences at 20.2% (8,287 crimes) and theft from the person at 9.6% (3,939 crimes). The high prevalence of these crime types reflects the borough's dense urban environment and active social scene.

Property crime in Islington—including burglary, robbery, theft, and vehicle crime—is high at 84.3 per 1,000 people. This is more than double the UK average property crime rate of 32.3. Within this category, 'other theft' and shoplifting are major contributors. For residents and business owners, these figures indicate a high frequency of acquisitive crime. While burglary accounts for a relatively small percentage (4.2%), the absolute number of 1,704 incidents remains significant. The high rate of vehicle crime (9.8 per 1,000) also highlights the need for robust protection of personal property in this busy metropolitan area.

Islington’s crime rate has remained remarkably stable over the last 12 months, with a negligible increase of just 1.5%. This indicates a consistent safety profile for the borough. Monthly data from Dec 2024 to Nov 2025 shows a steady volume of criminal activity, with rates fluctuating between 13.5 and 16.6 per 1,000 people.

The year saw a peak in activity during the spring and summer, with May recording the highest rate of 16.6 and July following closely at 16.5. The lowest point was in February at 13.5. Towards the end of the year, the rate settled back to 14.8 in November. This pattern suggests that while there is a slight seasonal increase in crime during the warmer months—typical for urban areas with high footfall—the overall level of crime in Islington is predictable and consistent, allowing residents to plan their security needs accordingly.

In the context of Central London, Islington’s crime rate of 183.9 per 1,000 people is lower than that of neighbouring Camden, which records a rate of 227.6. Other nearby areas like Hackney, Haringey, and Tower Hamlets also feature in the regional comparison, though several report much lower rates in specific datasets. Islington offers a high-activity urban environment that is characteristic of the city's core, where crime volumes are naturally elevated compared to suburban or rural regions. For those living or working in the area, understanding these local variations is crucial for maintaining personal and property security.

Islington’s property crime rate of 84.3 per 1,000 people is exceptionally high, more than double the national average. In such a dense urban environment, traditional security measures like basic CCTV or DIY doorbell cameras often fall short. These systems are reactive; they record a crime as it happens, but they rarely stop it, and in a busy city, footage of a masked intruder can be of limited use to the police.

For Islington residents and businesses, proactive protection is the most effective way to stay safe. The scOS AI-powered security system is designed to prevent crime before it occurs. By monitoring property boundaries in real-time, scOS can identify potential threats and trigger autonomous responses—such as activating high-intensity lighting or audible warnings—to deter a criminal before they enter. Its multi-camera intelligence learns your routines, ensuring it only alerts you to genuine threats. In an area with high rates of theft and vehicle crime, scOS offers a sophisticated alternative that prioritises prevention over recording, ensuring your property is truly protected by advanced AI.

How To Keep Safe in Islington

Anti-social behaviour and violence are the most common crime types in Islington, reflecting its busy urban nature. Theft from the person is also a significant concern in high-footfall areas.

• Be aware of your surroundings in busy areas like Upper Street and transport hubs, and keep valuables like phones and wallets secure and out of sight to prevent 'theft from the person'.
• Stick to well-lit, busy roads when walking at night and avoid isolated shortcuts or poorly lit residential streets.
• Ensure your home and vehicle are always locked and consider using visible security deterrents to discourage opportunistic theft.
• If you are out socialising, stay with friends and plan your journey home in advance using reputable transport services.
• Report any incidents of anti-social behaviour or suspicious activity to the local authorities to help them target hotspots and improve borough-wide safety.