City of Westminster Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime in City of Westminster

City of Westminster experiences an overall crime rate of 428.0 per 1,000 people per year. This figure is exceptionally higher than the national average for England and Wales, which stands at 93.1 crimes per 1,000 residents, indicating a very challenging crime landscape. With a safety score of 13 out of 100, City of Westminster is considered significantly less safe than many areas, falling substantially below the UK average safety score of 78. Over the past year, the crime rate in City of Westminster has been decreasing, showing a drop of 5.1%, indicating a slight improving trend in local crime. This report delves deeper into these statistics, offering a comprehensive overview of crime types, trends, and safety advice for residents.

Crime Type Analysis in City of Westminster

In City of Westminster, the most prevalent crime types are Theft from the person, Other theft, and Anti-social behaviour. Theft from the person accounts for a significant 28.0% of all crimes, with a rate of 119.8 per 1,000 people. Other theft follows, representing 17.1% of incidents at 73.1 per 1,000, while Anti-social behaviour makes up 13.7% with a rate of 58.7 per 1,000. Considering property-related crime, which includes burglary, robbery, theft from person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft, City of Westminster records a rate of 284.2 per 1,000 people. This is substantially higher than the UK average property crime rate of 32.9 per 1,000, highlighting that property-specific offences are a very significant concern in the area. For residents and homeowners, understanding these figures is crucial for identifying potential risks and implementing appropriate security measures. The extremely high property crime rate, despite the overall decreasing trend, underscores the critical importance of robust security measures.

City of Westminster Crime Trends

Over the past year, City of Westminster has seen a decreasing crime trend, with a drop of 5.1% in the overall crime rate year-on-year. Analysing the monthly data reveals consistent high activity. Crime rates per 1,000 residents were 44.0 in November 2024, remaining high at 44.4 in December before a dip to 35.0 in January 2025. Following this, rates generally showed variation, with a low of 31.3 in September 2025. The rates ended at 33.4 in October 2025. This decreasing trend, despite consistently high monthly rates, suggests a slight improvement in the overall crime situation that residents can acknowledge, though continued vigilance is always recommended given the high baseline.

How To Keep Safe in City of Westminster

Given that Theft from the person is the most prevalent crime type in City of Westminster, accounting for 28.0% of all incidents, it's important to be particularly mindful of personal safety and belongings.

1. Be highly vigilant in crowded areas: Pickpockets and bag snatchers often target busy tourist spots, markets, and public transport. Keep your belongings secure and out of sight.
2. Use secure bags: Opt for bags with zips or flaps that are difficult to open, and wear them across your body or on your front, especially in crowded environments.
3. Avoid openly displaying valuables: Keep your phone, wallet, and other expensive items concealed. Be discreet when using your phone in public.
4. Stay aware of your surroundings: Avoid distractions like mobile phones or headphones that can make you an easier target. Pay attention to people around you.
5. Report all thefts: Even if it seems minor, reporting theft helps police track patterns and allocate resources. It can also be crucial for insurance claims.

Understanding Crime Time Patterns in City of Westminster

Crime in City of Westminster exhibits distinct patterns throughout the day and night. During the morning hours (6am-12pm), theft-related offences are overwhelmingly common, comprising 87% of crimes, alongside a notable 4% for vehicle crime and 3% for burglary. The afternoon (12pm-6pm) sees an even higher dominance of theft at 86%, with burglary at 5%. As evening approaches (6pm-12am), theft remains very high at 71%, while 'Other' crime types, which can include public order and anti-social behaviour, rise to 18%. Night-time (12am-6am) presents a different challenge, with theft still high at 50%, but vehicle crime peaking dramatically at 24% and burglary at 11%, indicating that properties and vehicles are more vulnerable during these quieter hours. These patterns clearly show theft as a pervasive issue throughout the day, with property crime becoming more pronounced overnight.

Crime in Nearby Areas

Comparing City of Westminster to its neighbouring areas provides valuable regional context. City of Westminster, with a crime rate of 428.0 per 1,000, is an area with an exceptionally high crime rate. For instance, Kensington and Chelsea reports a lower rate of 181.2 crimes per 1,000 residents. Camden also has a lower rate of 216.6 crimes per 1,000. Hammersmith and Fulham reports an even lower rate of 145.4 crimes per 1,000. In stark contrast, City and County of the City of London experiences a significantly higher rate of 1174.4 crimes per 1,000, indicating an even more challenging crime landscape. This regional comparison highlights that City of Westminster faces significant challenges in crime management compared to many of its immediate neighbours, though it is not the highest in the immediate vicinity.

Proactive Protection for Your City of Westminster Property

City of Westminster's exceptionally high property crime rate of 284.2 per 1,000 people underscores the critical importance for residents and businesses to consider robust security measures. Traditional CCTV systems often only provide footage after a burglary or theft has occurred, acting reactively rather than preventatively. If you are seeking real protection against property crime, a proactive approach is essential. Systems like scOS offer an advanced solution by utilising AI to detect threats at your property boundary, stopping criminals before they can even attempt a break-in. Unlike basic DIY systems that merely notify you after the fact, scOS intervenes in real-time. Its multi-camera intelligence ensures comprehensive surveillance, never missing an event, and features like DVLA vehicle verification can instantly identify suspicious vehicles. By learning your routines, scOS differentiates between genuine threats and everyday occurrences, minimising false alarms. This professional-grade deterrence, with lights activating and speakers engaging, can destroy the element of surprise for potential intruders, making them reconsider within the critical 60-second decision window and move on to an easier target. Prioritising prevention over mere recording offers a far more effective way to safeguard your home and valuables in City of Westminster.