Newham Tops East London Crime in December 2025: Met Police Data

Key Points

• Data from the Metropolitan Police reveals Newham had the highest total of reported crime in east London for December 2025 with 3,431 incidents.
• East London overall saw a slight decrease in reported crime from 13,899 instances in November to 13,726 in December.
• Of the six east London boroughs, four registered lower crime counts in December than November, while two saw fractional rises.
• Tower Hamlets ranked second with 3,048 incidents, down 2.03% from November.
• Redbridge was third with 2,078 reports, up 2.41% from November.
• Waltham Forest recorded 1,896 incidents, down 0.35%.
• Barking and Dagenham had 1,622 reports, down 6.67%.
• Havering recorded 1,615 incidents, up from 1,552 in November.
• Theft was the most common crime in Newham (1,095), Tower Hamlets (943), Waltham Forest (519), Barking and Dagenham (277), and Havering (357).
• Violence against the person topped Redbridge (688) and was prominent across boroughs.
• Decreases noted in theft, violence, and vehicle offences in several boroughs; increases in drug offences, arson, criminal damage, and weapon possession in Newham.
• Vehicle offences featured significantly: Newham (421), Redbridge (220), Waltham Forest (109), Havering (172).
• Drug offences rose in Newham, Barking and Dagenham; notable in Tower Hamlets (243).
• Data sourced from Metropolitan Police via the Guardian Series coverage.​

East London (East London Times) January 15, 2026 – Newham recorded the highest number of criminal offences among east London boroughs in December 2025, with 3,431 incidents reported to the Metropolitan Police, maintaining its position as the leader following trends throughout 2025. Across the six east London boroughs, total reported crime dipped slightly to 13,726 from 13,899 in November. Four boroughs saw declines, while Redbridge and Havering experienced minor increases.

Which Borough Topped the Crime Rankings?

Newham led with 3,431 reported incidents in December 2025. Theft dominated as the most common offence, with 1,095 reports, followed by violence against the person at 883 cases and vehicle offences at 421. As detailed in the Guardian Series report, each of these top categories saw fewer reports than in November.​

Drug offences, arson, criminal damage, and weapon possession all increased in Newham compared to the prior month. The Metropolitan Police data underscores Newham’s ongoing pattern as the highest-crime borough in the region throughout 2025.

What Was Tower Hamlets’ Crime Performance?

Tower Hamlets secured second place with 3,048 incidents, a decrease of 2.03% from November. Theft led with 943 reports, creating a significant gap before violence against the person at 856 cases and drug offences at 243. Only violence against the person dropped from November among these three leading types.​

The Guardian Series highlighted this as consistent with prior monthly rankings, with theft remaining the predominant concern in Tower Hamlets.

How Did Redbridge Fare in December?

Redbridge ranked third with 2,078 crime reports, marking a 2.41% rise from November. Violence against the person was most frequent at 688 incidents, down from 707 the previous month. Theft increased to 529 from 484, while vehicle offences fell 9.46% to 220.​

Drug offences and sexual offences also rose in Redbridge, according to Metropolitan Police figures cited by the Guardian Series.

What Trends Emerged in Waltham Forest?

Waltham Forest reported 1,896 incidents, a 0.35% drop from November. Theft topped the list with 519 reports, unchanged from the prior month, followed by violence against the person at 508 and vehicle offences at 109. Both violence and vehicle offences declined compared to November.​

This positioned Waltham Forest fourth among the boroughs, with stable theft figures offsetting other reductions.

Why Did Barking and Dagenham See a Decline?

Barking and Dagenham recorded 1,622 reports, down 6.67% from 1,738 in November. Violence against the person led with 589 cases, theft followed at 277, and drug offences at 117. Notably, only drug offences increased among these top three categories.​

The Guardian Series noted this placed Barking and Dagenham just ahead of Havering, with only seven reports separating the two.

How Close Was the Race Between Barking and Dagenham and Havering?

Havering rounded out the rankings with 1,615 incidents, up from 1,552 in November. Violence against the person totalled 527 reports, seven fewer than November. Theft rose to 357, an increase of 52 cases, while vehicle offences dropped to 172, down 13.​

This narrow margin of seven reports between Barking and Dagenham and Havering mirrored their November order.

What Overall Patterns Characterised East London Crime?

East London as a whole experienced a modest decline to 13,726 reports from 13,899. Four boroughs—Newham, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, and Barking and Dagenham—saw reductions, while Redbridge and Havering edged up slightly.​

Theft consistently ranked as the top offence across most boroughs, with violence against the person prominent universally. Vehicle offences featured in the top three for four boroughs.

Which Crimes Decreased Across Boroughs?

In Newham, theft (1,095), violence against the person (883), and vehicle offences (421) all fell from November levels. Tower Hamlets saw violence against the person drop, alongside overall totals. Redbridge’s violence dipped from 707 to 688, and vehicle offences declined 9.46%.​

Waltham Forest mirrored this with drops in violence and vehicle offences, while theft held steady. Barking and Dagenham and Havering showed mixed results, but violence decreased in both.

Where Did Crime Types Increase?

Newham reported rises in drug offences, arson, criminal damage, and weapon possession. Tower Hamlets’ theft and drug offences held or increased relative to other categories. Redbridge saw theft up to 529, plus drug and sexual offences.​

Barking and Dagenham noted higher drug offences, and Havering’s theft surged by 52 cases. Waltham Forest bucked some trends with stable theft.

How Does This Fit 2025 Trends?

Newham’s lead follows the majority of 2025 patterns, as per Guardian Series analysis. Tower Hamlets consistently placed second. The slight regional dip aligns with four boroughs’ declines, though two rises prevented steeper falls.​

Metropolitan Police data, linked via Guardian Series topics on Newham, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, Havering, Redbridge, and crime, provides the backbone for these insights.

What Do the Figures Reveal About Theft?

Theft topped Newham (1,095), Tower Hamlets (943), Waltham Forest (519), Barking and Dagenham (277), and Havering (357). It increased in Redbridge (529) and Havering (357), but decreased or stabilised elsewhere.​

This dominance underscores theft as east London’s primary crime concern in December 2025.

Why Is Violence Against the Person Prevalent?

Violence against the person ranked high everywhere: Newham (883), Tower Hamlets (856), Redbridge (688), Barking and Dagenham (589), Waltham Forest (508), Havering (527). Most boroughs saw declines, except where offset by other rises.​

Redbridge led this category despite an overall increase in totals.

What Role Did Vehicle Offences Play?

Vehicle offences featured prominently: Newham (421), Redbridge (220), Waltham Forest (109), Havering (172). Declines occurred in Newham, Redbridge (9.46%), Waltham Forest, and Havering (down 13).​

Barking and Dagenham did not list it in the top three.

How Significant Are Drug Offences?

Drug offences rose in Newham and Barking and Dagenham (117). Tower Hamlets reported 243, a notable third-place figure. These increases contrast with broader declines.​

What Other Offences Stood Out?

Newham saw upticks in arson, criminal damage, and weapon possession. Redbridge noted rising sexual offences. These niche increases highlight varied pressures across boroughs.​

Implications for East London Residents

The Metropolitan Police data paints a picture of stable yet persistent crime challenges, with Newham bearing the heaviest burden at 3,431 incidents. While overall figures dipped, targeted rises in drugs and damage signal areas for focus.​

Residents in Tower Hamlets (3,048) and Redbridge (2,078) face similar theft and violence issues. Lower-ranked boroughs like Waltham Forest (1,896), Barking and Dagenham (1,622), and Havering (1,615) offer relative relief, though no borough escaped high volumes.