Southwark recorded the highest number of criminal offences in south-east London during September, with 3,725 crimes reported, according to Metropolitan Police figures. The total across the five boroughs—Bromley, Bexley, Greenwich, Lewisham, and Southwark—rose by 1.5 per cent compared to August, reaching 12,142 offences.
Southwark leads with theft and violence
Theft was the most common offence in Southwark, with 1,606 incidents, followed by violence against the person with 837 reports. Together, these two categories accounted for more than half of all offences recorded in the borough. Additional figures included 281 vehicle offences, 224 burglaries, 159 robberies, 165 arson and criminal damage offences, 174 public order offences, and 129 drug offences.
Lewisham recorded the second-highest crime total, with 2,669 offences in September. Violence against the person and theft were again the most frequently recorded crimes, with 926 and 664 reports respectively. The borough also saw 233 vehicle offences and 197 public order offences, following a similar pattern to Southwark with violent and theft crimes making up the majority.
Greenwich and Bromley follow
Greenwich ranked third with 2,465 offences reported during the month. The borough recorded 786 incidents of violence against the person and 580 theft offences, alongside 230 vehicle crimes. Police also logged 176 public order offences, 173 arson and criminal damage offences, and 154 burglaries.
Bromley was next with 1,958 offences reported in September. Despite being London’s largest borough by area, it recorded considerably fewer offences than its inner London neighbours. This included 549 cases of violence against the person, 472 thefts, and 220 vehicle offences. Police also recorded 146 arson and criminal damage offences, 190 public order offences, and 122 burglaries.
Bexley lowest, pattern unchanged
Bexley recorded the lowest number of reported offences in south-east London, with 1,325 crimes. Police dealt with 467 reports of violence against the person, 297 thefts, 98 public order offences, and 120 vehicle offences. Overall, crime levels in Bexley remained significantly lower than the sub-regional average.
Since the start of this year, the overall pattern has remained largely unchanged, with Southwark recording the highest number of reported offences in south-east London every month, followed by Bexley recording the lowest. Across the boroughs, theft and violence against the person have consistently been the two most commonly recorded crime types, accounting for a significant proportion of offences.
