Newham records highest crime rate in east London for first half of 2026

Newham had the highest number of reported criminal offences in east London during the first six months of 2026. Metropolitan Police data shows 20,924 offences were recorded in the borough between January and June. This figure represents an increase from the 20,085 offences reported in the same period in 2025.

The total number of reported crimes across the six east London boroughs reached 83,789 in the first half of 2026. This marks a 2.5% rise from the 81,749 offences recorded in the same period last year, as reported by the East London Advertiser.

Theft leads crime figures in Newham

Theft was the most frequently reported crime in Newham, with 6,489 cases. Violence against the person followed, with 5,794 reports, while vehicle offences accounted for 2,358 cases. Drug offences and possession of weapons were also more common in Newham than in other east London boroughs, with 1,232 and 206 cases respectively.

Violence against the person dominates in Redbridge

Redbridge recorded 12,522 criminal offences in the first half of 2026, a slight increase from the 11,999 cases reported in the same period in 2025. Violence against the person was the most reported crime, with 4,396 cases. Theft and vehicle offences followed, with 3,022 and 1,375 reports respectively.

Tower Hamlets had the second-highest number of reported crimes, with 18,650 offences. Theft was the most common crime there, with 5,721 cases, while violence against the person accounted for 5,347 reports. Tower Hamlets also recorded the highest number of sexual offences in east London, with 628 cases.

Other boroughs see mixed trends

Waltham Forest was the only east London borough to see a decrease in reported crime, with 11,692 offences in the first half of 2026 compared to 12,121 in the same period in 2025. Violence against the person was the most common crime, with 3,448 reports.

Barking and Dagenham reported 10,143 offences, a small decrease from 10,084 in 2025. Havering had the lowest number of reported crimes, with 9,858 offences, up from 9,655 in the first half of 2025.

What happens next

The Metropolitan Police has not yet released a statement on the latest crime figures. It is unclear whether additional policing measures will be introduced in response to the rise in reported offences. Residents can access the full dataset on the Met Police’s public tableau for further details.