Lambeth tops July crime figures with 3,846 offences in one month
Theft accounted for over a third of all recorded crimes in the borough, Metropolitan Police data shows
Incident → evidence → outcomeLambeth reported the highest number of criminal offences in south-west London during July 2026, with 3,846 incidents recorded by the Metropolitan Police. The borough accounted for more than a quarter of the 14,442 crimes logged across the region that month.
Theft was the most frequent offence in Lambeth, with 1,438 cases. Violence against the person followed, with 946 reports. Vehicle crime totalled 219 offences, while arson and criminal damage accounted for 200 incidents. Public order offences reached 278, and there were 196 robberies and 190 burglaries.
Crime rises across south-west London
The Metropolitan Police recorded a 5% increase in crime across south-west London from June to July 2026. The region, which includes Croydon, Sutton, Merton, Kingston-upon-Thames, Wandsworth, and Richmond-upon-Thames, saw 14,442 offences in total.
Croydon ranked second for crime in July, with 3,310 offences. Violence against the person and theft were the most common crimes, with 1,083 and 770 reports respectively. Vehicle offences reached 296, while arson and criminal damage accounted for 243 incidents.
Wandsworth recorded 2,640 offences, the third-highest total. Violence against the person accounted for 807 incidents, while theft reached 660. Vehicle crime totalled 339 offences, and there were 152 burglaries and 197 public order offences.
Richmond reports lowest crime figures
Richmond-upon-Thames recorded the lowest number of offences in south-west London in July 2026, with 1,086 incidents. Kingston-upon-Thames matched this total, though the figures for both boroughs were still higher than in previous months.
In Richmond, violence against the person and theft were the most common crimes. The Metropolitan Police did not provide a breakdown of offences by category for the borough in its July data release. Kingston recorded 380 cases of violence against the person and 330 thefts.
What happens next
The Metropolitan Police has not announced specific measures in response to the July crime figures. Residents can report crimes or concerns through the force’s online portal or by contacting their local Safer Neighbourhoods Team. The next set of monthly crime data is expected to be published in early September 2026.
Questions this report answers
01Which borough had the highest crime rate in July 2026?
Lambeth recorded the highest number of criminal offences in south-west London in July 2026, with 3,846 incidents. The borough accounted for more than a quarter of all crimes reported in the region that month.
02What was the most common crime in Lambeth in July?
Theft was the most frequent offence in Lambeth, with 1,438 incidents reported. Violence against the person was the second most common, with 946 cases recorded by the Metropolitan Police.
03Did crime increase in south-west London in July 2026?
Yes, crime in south-west London rose by 5% from June to July 2026. The Metropolitan Police recorded 14,442 offences across the region during the month, up from the previous period.
04Which borough had the lowest crime figures in July?
Richmond-upon-Thames recorded the lowest number of offences in south-west London in July 2026, with 1,086 incidents. Kingston-upon-Thames matched this total, though both figures were higher than in earlier months.
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