Local Area Crime Statistics

Merton Crime Rate

Crime is stable and LOW in Merton

Merton's crime rate is 79.1 per 1,000, lower than the UK average. Discover detailed crime statistics and safety insights for Merton.

Overall Crime Rate

79.1
per 1,000 people
15% lower than UK avg

Property Crime Rate

32.2
per 1,000 people
3% lower than UK avg

Based on population of 218,539 over 12 months

Crime Statistics Summary for Merton

Data last updated: September 2025. Source: Police.uk, ONS, Home Office.

Crime rates per 1,000 people in Merton
Overall Crime Rate79.1 per 1,000 people
Property Crime Rate32.2 per 1,000 people
UK Average Crime Rate93.4 per 1,000 people
UK Average Property Crime Rate33.2 per 1,000 people
Safety Score83 out of 100
Population218,539
Trendstable
Comparisonsignificantly lower than UK average
Crime Breakdown by Type in Merton
Crime TypeTotal CountPer 1,000 PeoplePercentage of Total
Violence and sexual offences4,5872127%
Anti-social behaviour3,7081721%
Shoplifting1,7738.110%
Vehicle crime1,31268%
Other theft1,1585.37%
Criminal damage and arson1,0464.86%
Public order9554.46%
Burglary8103.75%
Drugs6813.14%
Theft from the person3841.82%
Robbery3581.62%
Other crime21511%
Bicycle theft2030.91%
Possession of weapons890.41%

Introduction to Crime in Merton

Merton, with a population of 218,539, reports an overall crime rate of 79.1 per 1,000 people per year. This figure places Merton below the national average crime rate of 93.4 per 1,000, indicating a comparatively safer environment. The area's safety score stands at 83 out of 100, which is notably higher than the UK average of 78, further reinforcing its position as a relatively secure locality. In terms of recent trends, Merton's crime rate has remained stable, experiencing a minor decrease of 3.3% year-over-year. This stability suggests a consistent crime landscape, which will be further explored in the detailed analysis of crime types and trends below.

Merton Safety Score

83
Safe
Safety Score out of 100

Merton has a relatively good safety score compared to the UK average (78).

0-20
20-40
40-60
60-80
80-100

Crime Rates Across Merton

Merton

79.0
per 1,000
Low Risk

Crime Rate Risk Levels

Very Low
Low
Moderate
High
Very High

About Merton

Merton is a vibrant London borough, characterised by a mix of suburban residential areas, bustling town centres like Wimbledon and Mitcham, and significant green spaces. Its diverse nature, encompassing both affluent residential neighbourhoods and more urbanised commercial hubs, contributes to a varied crime profile. Major transport links, including train and Underground stations, facilitate high volumes of daily commuters and visitors, which can influence certain crime types such as theft and anti-social behaviour in and around transport hubs. The presence of retail districts and nightlife venues also creates opportunities for shoplifting, public order offences, and other forms of crime associated with commercial activity and higher population density. While generally considered a desirable place to live, like any urban area, Merton's varied demographics and activity centres play a role in shaping its overall crime statistics and safety score.

Crime Types Breakdown

Violence and sexual offences
4,587 incidents (21 per 1,000)
Anti-social behaviour
3,708 incidents (17 per 1,000)
Shoplifting
1,773 incidents (8.1 per 1,000)
Vehicle crime
1,312 incidents (6 per 1,000)
Other theft
1,158 incidents (5.3 per 1,000)
Criminal damage and arson
1,046 incidents (4.8 per 1,000)
Public order
955 incidents (4.4 per 1,000)
Burglary
810 incidents (3.7 per 1,000)
Drugs
681 incidents (3.1 per 1,000)
Theft from the person
384 incidents (1.8 per 1,000)
Robbery
358 incidents (1.6 per 1,000)
Other crime
215 incidents (1 per 1,000)
Bicycle theft
203 incidents (0.9 per 1,000)
Possession of weapons
89 incidents (0.4 per 1,000)

Crime Rate Trend

↓ 14.3% change(over 12 months)
Merton
UK Average

Compare Merton with similar populations

Merton has a 15.3% lower crime rate than the UK average.

Crime Type Analysis in Merton

An analysis of crime types in Merton reveals that Violence and sexual offences, Anti-social behaviour, and Shoplifting are the three most prevalent categories. Violence and sexual offences account for 26.6% of all crimes, with a rate of 21.0 per 1,000 residents. Anti-social behaviour follows, making up 21.5% of the total at 17.0 per 1,000. Shoplifting is the third most common, representing 10.3% of crimes at 8.1 per 1,000. Considering property-related crime, which encompasses burglary, robbery, theft from person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft, Merton records a rate of 32.2 per 1,000 people per year. This is slightly lower than the UK average property crime rate of 33.2 per 1,000. Specifically, vehicle crime is 6.0 per 1,000, other theft is 5.3 per 1,000, and burglary stands at 3.7 per 1,000. For residents and homeowners, understanding these figures means being aware of the potential for theft and vehicle-related incidents, alongside the more frequent categories of violence and anti-social behaviour. Proactive measures for securing homes and personal property are advisable to mitigate these risks.

Crime Trends in Merton

Merton's crime statistics indicate a stable trend, with a year-over-year change showing a decrease of 3.3% in total crimes. This suggests a consistent and slightly improving crime landscape over the past year. Examining the monthly trend data reveals some fluctuations within this overall stability. The crime rate per 1,000 residents saw a peak in July 2025 at 7.7, following a period of relatively consistent rates around 6.7-7.0 from October 2024 to June 2025, with a dip to 5.7 in February 2025. The most recent data for September 2025 shows a rate of 6.0 per 1,000, one of the lower points in the observed period. This pattern suggests that while there might be seasonal variations, such as a slight increase during summer months, the underlying trend remains stable. For residents, this stability means that the overall risk environment has not significantly changed, but awareness of minor monthly variations can still be useful for personal safety planning.

Crime Comparison with Nearby Areas

To provide regional context, Merton's crime profile can be compared with several neighbouring areas. Merton's overall crime rate of 79.1 per 1,000 is lower than that of Lambeth and Hammersmith and Fulham, which are typically more urbanised and experience higher crime volumes. Compared to Wandsworth, Merton maintains a similar or slightly lower crime rate, reflecting a comparable urban-suburban mix. Areas such as Sutton, Kingston upon Thames, and Richmond upon Thames generally present lower crime rates than Merton, often attributed to their more suburban and residential characteristics. For instance, Richmond upon Thames is frequently cited as one of London's safest boroughs. This comparison helps residents and those considering moving to Merton understand its position within the broader regional safety landscape, indicating that while it is safer than some inner-London boroughs, it has a slightly higher crime rate than its more suburban neighbours to the south and west.

Enhancing Your Property Protection in Merton

Given Merton's property crime rate of 32.2 per 1,000, which is just below the UK average, residents may benefit from considering robust home security measures. Traditional security systems often provide footage after a burglary has occurred, acting reactively. However, for true peace of mind and effective crime prevention, a proactive approach is essential. Modern AI-powered systems like scOS are designed to prevent crime before it happens by detecting threats at your property boundary, rather than just recording an incident after a break-in. Unlike DIY systems that merely notify you after the fact, professional-grade solutions intervene in real-time. For instance, scOS uses multi-camera intelligence to watch all cameras simultaneously, ensuring nothing is missed, and can even verify vehicles instantly with DVLA integration. It learns your routines, only alerting on real threats, thereby destroying the element of surprise for potential intruders. Most burglars make a decision within 60 seconds of approaching a property. Visible and intelligent deterrence, like that offered by scOS, can make that decision easy for them – to move on. While basic CCTV has its place, if you are looking for professional security that actively prevents crime and protects your property in Merton, exploring advanced, proactive systems is a valuable consideration.

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About Our Crime Statistics

Official government data sources for Merton

4,392+
UK Locations Monitored
19M+
Data Records
100%
Government Sources

Crime Rate Methodology

We determine crime rates by calculating recorded offences per 1,000 residents. This standardised metric enables meaningful comparisons between different-sized regions across the UK.

Information Sources

Official UK government databases provide all crime and demographic information, including Police.uk for offence records and ONS for population data. Statistics are compiled across town, district, and national boundaries.

Mathematical Formula

Rate per 1,000 = (Offences / Population) × 1,000

We exclusively use official UK government information sources:

  • Police.uk — Recorded crime data from England and Wales' 43 territorial police forces
  • Office for National Statistics — Demographic data and Crime Survey statistics
  • Home Office — National offence records and crime policy information
  • FOI Requests — Supplementary data from direct police force requests
We monitor crime data across 4,392+ locations throughout England and Wales, covering the majority of significant towns, cities, and county areas. Greater Manchester locations are presently excluded due to data access limitations. Updates occur promptly following new official data releases (approximately bimonthly), with historical records preserved for trend tracking.
Police.ukONSHome OfficeFOI

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

Last updated: September 2025

New data is released by Police.uk approximately every two months

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