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Nobody should live in fear. Nevertheless, protecting yourself from crime is the sensible thing to do. Society has its malcontents, and since a percentage of the population falls into that category, it makes sense that the denser the population is, the more likely you are to encounter one.
A staggering 8.86 million people live in Greater London. London authorities estimate that this represents nearly 3.5 million households. According to the ONS 2023 Crime Survey, one in one hundred households are burgled in a year. That means we can expect that around 35,000 homes in London will be burgled.
However, this does not account for the fact that some houses in the UK are located in less densely-populated areas. So, what are the crime figures for London in 2024?
UK Crime Stats for London: The Theft Trend
There’s some good news in the numbers. Crime is not on the rise in London. On the contrary, the overall crime rate fell in 2024. It’s been a relatively steady trend since 2014. However, the figures show that some types of crime have risen while others have fallen.
“Theft from a person,” the nonviolent form of theft that includes burglary, has increased. If you live in London, you’re confronting a crime rate in this category that’s 23 times the national average. “Robbery,” which in legal terms implies violence, is above the national average too. London residents face 6.2 times the risk of falling victim.
Over the preceding three years, theft from a person has risen by a worrying 76 percent while robbery rose by 13 percent. Summing this up, crime is falling but theft and robbery are on the rise.
Crime Stats for London Boroughs
It’s definitely true that some London Boroughs experience less crime than others. Perhaps unsurprisingly, most burglars don’t want to roam too far afield in search of targets. Experts say that the average burglar operates within a two-mile radius of their home.
The safest London boroughs (based on overall crime rate) are Richmond upon Thames, Kingston upon Thames, and Harrow. The most dangerous are Hackney, Westminster and Tower Hamlets.
Having said this, do remember that some burglars deliberately target prominent people and affluent areas in the hope of rich pickings. In 2021, three men were responsible for a 16-day West London crime spree during which they netted cash, precious stones and jewellery to the value of 26 million pounds. No matter where you live, owning high-value goods will make you an attractive target.
When do Burglaries Happen?
When imagining a burglary, the nightmarish late-night intrusion is the first to spring to most people’s minds. If it’s possible to enter silently while you’re asleep, burglars certainly will take advantage of the opportunity.
Most burglaries are non-violent. Because they don’t want to be caught or engage in confrontations, just under half of thieves target residences at times when they expect nobody to be home. All the same, they want to work quickly and get out fast. The average burglary takes between eight and ten minutes.
How do London Crime Statistics Compare to Those of Other Cities?
On a global scale, the crime rate in London is relatively moderate and this is even true on the national scale. However, bear in mind that crime rates are calculated per number of people and not as a grand total. As we noted earlier, the more populated the city, the more incidents of crime are likely to occur.
When UK crime rates for areas with large cities are calculated per 1,000 people, West Yorkshire police have been the busiest. Greater Manchester has the dubious honour of taking second place.
UK Crime Stats for London: Don’t Become a Number
Keeping yourself as safe as possible isn’t rocket science - it’s ordinary commonsense. Apart from being street smart and alert when you’re out and about, secure your home and take some straightforward steps to deter burglars.
London police advise householders to pay special attention to door and window security. After all, these openings are the ones burglars might use to gain access. If you’re conjuring up a disheartening vision of ugly bars cageing you in, cheer up! Secure windows and doors may be far more attractive and welcoming than you think.
At Stronghold Security Doors, we’ve proved beyond all doubt that security and the “house beautiful” can go hand-in-hand. Our certified security doors will withstand attempts at forced entry for far longer than the time burglars would like their entire operation to take. While you’ll love our custom-made security doors and windows for their sleek good looks, burglars are sure to hate them. Contact us today for more information, it certainly does pay to invest in quality!
