The Top 20 Safest Areas Of London
This post is part of our archived content. While we’ve shifted focus, it still may be useful.
What are the safest areas of London? We analysed national crime data to find out!
Whether you’re planning a day out, searching for the best family brunch spots in London or wondering where to take the family, safety is a top priority.
Some boroughs of London are much safer than others.
There’s no need to worry; here’s all the data laid out for you.
Our Methodology: How We Analysed the Data
We know how important it is to feel safe.
That’s why we carefully examined recent crime data with the help of CrimeRate, a high-tech project dedicated to reviewing crime trends in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
The data is from 2022, the most recent full year available.
Identifying a safe area is based on each area’s overall crime rate (crimes per 1000 people).
The average crime rate in London overall is 97/1000. Each entry will explain the crime rate of the area and compare regional and national crime statistics
What is the Safest Area in London?
Richmond-Upon-Thames and Harrow are the safest areas we analysed.
The crime rate is just 60/1000/.
Richmond-Upon-Thames is not only one of the safest areas in London but also one of the safest areas in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
A very close second is Harrow, which shares the same low crime rate.
The Safest Areas in London
It can be a bit overwhelming when looking for safe neighbourhoods in London.
Like any city, there is bound to be high crime in certain areas, and keeping yourself and your loved ones safe is a top priority.
These areas around Central London are the boroughs that have been statistically shown to be the safest boroughs in London overall.
So whether you’re a visitor or planning a day out, we’ve got you covered.
Richmond-Upon-Thames
It might be a little further out from the centre than other options, but Richmond is the safest borough in London, with a low crime rate of 60 out of every 1000 people.
Known for the beautiful Kew Gardens and its extensive selection of shops, Richmond tops out the charts for London’s safest areas.
The crime rate in Richmond is 37% lower than London’s average and 28% lower than the national average.
Harrow
By the numbers, Harrow and Richmond share the top spot.
Renowned for its diversity and consistently high rankings in education, Harrow is a fantastic place if you’re looking for an eco-forward, clean, and safe borough in London.
The crime rate in Harrow is 37% lower than London’s average and 28% lower than the national average.
Bexley
The borough of Bexley is known for its areas of historic interest and its beautiful scenery, from local parks to classic architecture.
There’s a very strong sense of community in Bexley, which is a big part of why it is the third safest place in London.
The crime rate in Bexley is 33% lower than London’s average and 23% lower than the national average.
Sutton
Lovely Sutton is one of the more affordable areas in Greater London, with lots of greenery and amazing schools to match – and on top of that, it’s one of the safest areas in London.
The area is known for its drives toward raising London’s potential as a safe, forward-thinking city.
The crime rate in Sutton is 31% lower than London’s average and 21% lower than the national average.
Kingston-upon-Thames
Next on our list of safe areas in London is Kingston-upon-Thames.
It’s the oldest of London’s four royal boroughs, filled with new family activities, including Chessington World of Adventures theme park – one of the best safari parks in the UK.
The crime rate in Kingston-upon-Thames is 31% lower than London’s average and 21% lower than the national average.
Merton
Merton is home to Wimbledon, a must-visit for tennis lovers everywhere.
The borough is a fantastic area for those who love to breathe and walk in the green areas of the city, with an impressive sixth of its land area dedicated to open public spaces.
The crime rate in Merton is 29% lower than London’s average and 19% lower than the national average.
Bromley
Bromley is the largest of the boroughs in Greater London, but even with all that size, it remains one of the safest.
It’s a partially rural and partially urban area.
The crime rate in Bromley is 28% lower than London’s average and 18% lower than the national average.
Barnet
A relatively quiet and affordable area, Barnet is the second largest of London’s boroughs and is popular with families and young professionals.
It’s renowned for its comfortable balance between hectic city living and a more peaceful way of life.
The crime rate in Barnet is 26% lower than London’s average and 16% lower than the national average.
Map of the Safest Areas of London
Areas Of London That Still Made It To The Top 20
- Wandsworth – 72/1000
- Havering – 74/100
- Redbridge – 79/1000
- Waltham Forest – 81/1000
- Ealing – 85/1000
- Croydon – 86/1000
- Hillingdon – 87/1000
- Hounslow – 88/1000
- Enfield – 89/1000
- Brent – 90/1000
- Lewisham – 90/1000
- Greenwich – 91/1000
What are the Least Safe Areas of London?
- City of London – 810/1000
- Westminster – 298/1000
- Kensington and Chelsea – 132/1000
- Camden – 132/1000
- Islington – 116/1000
- Southwark – 108/1000
- Hackney – 108/1000
- Hammersmith and Fulham – 106/1000
- Haringey – 105/1000
- Lambeth – 103/1000
Bear in mind that places like the City of London and Westminster have few residential areas and are tourist hotspots with pubs, clubs and nightlife making them a hotspot for nighttime drinking, drug taking and pickpocketing.
Final Words – Safest Areas of London
Whether you’re in London for work, on a family day out, or just visiting, it’s important for all of us to feel safe.
Crime can happen anywhere, but being aware of the world around you and knowing how to keep safe is always a bonus – which is why knowing the safest areas is a great way to give you and your family peace of mind.
The best news? Overall, crime rates are on their way down across the board.
There’s no need to spend your time in fear or worry.
With this guide, you can get out there and enjoy London and all the amazing places and sights it has to offer to the fullest!
