Home Counties See Higher Weapon Possession Rates Than London

Five out of eight police force areas in the Home Counties recorded higher rates of weapon possession offences than the London average in the past year, a new study has found. The London & Home Counties Residential Crime Risk Report 2026 analysed offence data between March 2025 and March 2026 across five crime categories affecting residential areas.

Specific Rates Revealed

Sussex recorded 1.41 weapon possession offences per 1,000 population, nearly double London’s average of 0.79. Hampshire followed with 1.06 offences per 1,000 population, and Kent with 0.99. Overall, the average weapons possession rate across the Home Counties stood at 0.89 per 1,000 population, compared to 0.79 in London. The report also noted that weapons possession offences increased in six of the eight home county police areas during the analysed period.

Bedfordshire saw a 20% year-on-year increase in these offences, with Hertfordshire at 15.72%, Surrey at 13.36%, and Essex at 12.60%. In contrast, London boroughs Greenwich, Enfield, and Waltham Forest reported reductions in weapon possession offences. Thames Valley Police, an outlier among Home Counties forces, recorded a 10.2% reduction.

Broader Crime Trends

Beyond weapon possession, the report found that average criminal damage and arson rates were higher in the Home Counties than in London, with rates of 6.24 per 1,000 population compared to London’s 6.16. Kent was identified as the second-worst area for these offences across both London and the Home Counties. Furthermore, Hampshire, with 7.07 offences per 1,000, and Sussex, with 7.05 offences per 1,000, both exceeded London’s average public order offence rate.

These findings coincide with the Home Office announcing a record year for drug line closures, resulting in 7,381 arrests as part of a crackdown on county lines gangs. Nick Titchener, Criminal Solicitor and Managing Partner at Lawtons Solicitors, which commissioned the report, stated that the data serves as a reminder that violent crime is not confined to specific areas. He added that county lines crime remains a significant challenge in the Home Counties, with drug gang activity closely linked to violent crime, but noted that London is making progress. Titchener emphasised that community engagement and cooperation are key to achieving lasting change.

What Happens Next

The report highlights ongoing efforts to combat county lines and associated violent crime. While specific new policing initiatives were not detailed in the report, the findings are expected to inform future crime prevention strategies and resource allocation by relevant police forces and local authorities in both London and the Home Counties.