Lewisham Crime Rate

About Lewisham Crime Rates

Lewisham, a vibrant London borough with a population of 301,255, experiences an overall crime rate of 119.7 per 1,000 residents per year. This figure is higher than the UK average crime rate of 93.4 per 1,000, indicating a comparatively higher incidence of reported crimes within the area. The property crime rate in Lewisham stands at 45.6 per 1,000 people, also exceeding the national average of 33.2 per 1,000. Despite these figures, Lewisham holds a safety score of 73 out of 100, which is slightly below the UK average safety score of 78/100, suggesting room for improvement in perceived and actual safety. Over the past year, crime trends in Lewisham have remained stable, with a marginal decrease of -0.8% year-over-year, providing a stable context for the detailed crime data presented.

Understanding Crime in Lewisham

Lewisham, situated in South East London, is a densely populated urban borough characterised by a mix of residential areas, bustling town centres, and significant transport links. Its urban nature and high population density, coupled with a diverse and sometimes transient population owing to its connectivity to central London, can contribute to its crime statistics. The borough hosts various commercial activities, including shopping districts and a vibrant nightlife in certain areas, which can naturally lead to increased opportunities for theft, anti-social behaviour, and public order offences. As a major transport hub, with numerous railway stations and bus routes, there is a constant flow of people through the area, which can also influence crime patterns. Economic factors, such as varying levels of socio-economic deprivation within different neighbourhoods, can also play a role in the overall crime rate. These characteristics collectively shape the environment in which crime occurs, helping to explain why Lewisham's crime rate and safety score compare as they do to national averages.

Lewisham Crime Type Analysis

An analysis of crime types in Lewisham reveals that 'Violence and sexual offences' constitute the most significant category, accounting for 10,155 crimes, or 33.7 per 1,000 residents, representing 28.2% of all offences. This is followed by 'Anti-social behaviour' with 7,206 crimes (23.9 per 1,000, 20.0% of total), and 'Vehicle crime' with 2,809 incidents (9.3 per 1,000, 7.8% of total). These three categories collectively represent a substantial portion of the criminal activity in the borough. Beyond these specific types, property-related crime is a notable concern for residents and homeowners. This broad category, encompassing burglary (1,495 crimes), theft from the person (1,442 crimes), criminal damage and arson (2,037 crimes), bicycle theft (323 crimes), vehicle crime (2,809 crimes), other theft (2,605 crimes), and robbery (988 crimes), collectively contributes significantly to the overall crime rate. The prevalence of these property-related offences underscores the importance of robust security measures for both homes and vehicles within the Lewisham area.

Crime Trends in Lewisham

Lewisham's crime landscape has shown a stable trend over the past year, with a slight decrease of -0.8% in the overall crime rate year-over-year. This stability suggests that while crime levels are not rapidly escalating, they are also not significantly declining. Examining the monthly trend data reveals some fluctuations throughout the year. For instance, crime rates per 1,000 residents saw a peak in October 2024 at 10.7, and again in May 2025 and July 2025, both at 10.7 and 10.8 respectively. Conversely, the lowest points were observed in February 2025 (8.8) and January 2025 (9.3). These monthly variations indicate seasonal or periodic patterns in criminal activity that residents should be aware of. The generally stable trend implies that the underlying factors contributing to crime in Lewisham have remained consistent, and residents can expect similar patterns of criminal activity in the near future unless significant interventions are made.

Comparing Lewisham with Neighbouring Areas

Understanding Lewisham's crime statistics benefits from a comparison with its neighbouring local authority districts. When looking at areas such as Southwark, Greenwich, Lambeth, Tower Hamlets, Bromley, and Croydon, a regional context emerges. Lewisham's overall crime rate of 119.7 per 1,000 is often comparable to other inner London boroughs, which typically experience higher rates than more suburban or rural areas due to population density and urban characteristics. For instance, areas like Lambeth and Southwark, also central London boroughs, may exhibit similar crime profiles with a focus on types such as violence, theft, and anti-social behaviour. Conversely, more outer London boroughs such as Bromley or Croydon might present different crime distributions, potentially with lower rates in some categories. This comparison highlights that while Lewisham's crime rate is above the national average, it aligns with patterns observed in similar urban environments within the capital, providing a broader perspective for residents.

Enhancing Security in Lewisham

Given Lewisham's property crime rate of 45.6 per 1,000 people, which is higher than the UK average, residents and homeowners should prioritise robust security measures. While traditional CCTV systems can record incidents, they often provide footage after a burglary has occurred. For genuine protection, a proactive approach is essential. Consider an AI-powered home security operating system like scOS, designed to prevent crime before it happens by detecting threats at your property boundary, rather than merely documenting a break-in. This shifts the focus from reactive recording to real-time intervention.

Professional-grade security systems offer a significant deterrent. Most burglars make a decision within 60 seconds of approaching a property; visible and intelligent deterrence, such as that provided by scOS, can make them move on. Unlike DIY systems that notify you after the fact, scOS intervenes autonomously with features like multi-camera intelligence, DVLA vehicle verification, pattern learning to distinguish routines from threats, and an autonomous response system that activates lights and engages speakers. This element of surprise can be crucial in thwarting potential criminals, offering a level of prevention that traditional systems simply cannot match. If you are seeking to move beyond simply recording crime to actively stopping threats at your property line, investing in advanced, professional security is a prudent choice for protecting your home in Lewisham.