London’s safest boroughs run about 60% lower than the city average for crime. And yes you can feel that difference when you’re walking home after dark and your brain suddenly decides it’s the narrator of a true crime podcast.
If you’re American and trying to pick a place to live across 32 boroughs (plus a million neighborhoods with names that sound like Jane Austen characters), “Where’s safe?” can turn into “I will simply live inside a Pret.” So let’s make this practical.
I’m going to walk you through:
- how London crime stats work (so you don’t misread them and accidentally scare yourself),
- what actually makes a neighborhood safer,
- the safest boroughs for 2025 (in plain English),
- and how to research any specific street like a calm, competent adult (even if you don’t feel like one right now).
Because “safe” isn’t a vibe. It’s a pattern.
First: London crime data can be… dramatic (if you don’t know what you’re looking at)
London crime rates are usually shown as crimes per 1,000 residents. That matters because raw numbers will absolutely lie to your face.
Example: Westminster often looks like a crime apocalypse. But Westminster is also where tourists, shoppers, commuters, and people who walk five wide on Oxford Street gather in enormous herds. More people = more opportunities for theft. It doesn’t automatically mean residents are living in Mad Max times.
Here are the terms I wish someone had explained before I went full detective with seventeen tabs open:
- Crimes per 1,000 residents: helps you compare boroughs fairly.
- Tourist/commuter distortion: central areas rack up theft because of foot traffic (phones, bags, pickpocketing—classic big city stuff).
- Residential risk categories: if you’re choosing a place to live, pay extra attention to burglary, robbery, and violence with injury.
- Station radius effect: streets near big stations and nightlife run hotter than streets a 10 minute walk away.
The Met + Police.uk publish monthly data, and it’s genuinely useful—as long as you don’t treat one scary looking spike near a shopping street like it’s a prophecy about your future flat.
Also: from 2023 to 2025, a lot of outer London stayed steady or improved, while some inner areas saw theft creep up as tourism bounced back. Translation: when London gets busier, the petty nonsense gets busier too which is why crime rates spike.
Your job isn’t to find a place where nothing ever happens. Your job is to find a place where the odds are in your favor.
What really makes a neighborhood safer (hint: not vibes, sorry)
Reputation is cute, but it’s not a safety plan. Three things show up again and again in safer areas:
1) Lower density = fewer opportunities for chaos
More people packed into a smaller area tends to mean more theft and more anonymity. Outer boroughs usually win here. It’s not glamorous, but it’s effective—like flossing.
2) Distance from transport hubs (the “one stop away” sweet spot)
If you live right by a major station, you get convenience… and you also get the greatest hits: bike theft, phone snatches, late night drunken opera (performed by strangers outside your window). Move a bit farther out and things often calm down fast. Same borough, different universe.
3) Community stability (yes, the curtain twitchers help)
Places with higher owner occupancy, active neighborhood groups, and generally “people who care” energy tend to stay safer. When neighbors recognize each other, weird stuff gets noticed quicker. Are some folks nosy? Absolutely. Are they also free security cameras with opinions? Also yes.
London’s 10 safest boroughs for 2025 (the shortlist)
If you want the headline first: the safest boroughs for 2025 are:
Richmond upon Thames, Sutton, Kingston upon Thames, Harrow, Merton, Bexley, Barnet, Bromley, Havering, and Redbridge.
They’re mostly outer London, with annual crime rates roughly in the 55-75 crimes per 1,000 residents range. Translation: these boroughs tend to mind their business, and honestly? Aspirational.
Instead of writing you a novel about all ten, I’m going to give you the “what it feels like to live there” version (plus a few neighborhood names to start your search).
1) Richmond upon Thames (aka: “London, but on a spa retreat”)
Richmond is consistently the safest borough, around 55 crimes per 1,000 residents compared to a London average near 95.
It’s leafy, it’s riverside, it’s the kind of place where you start saying things like “Let’s do a little walk” and you mean a two hour walk.
Look at: East Sheen, Kew, Barnes, Twickenham
Reality check: it’s gorgeous—and pricey. But if you want “safe + scenic,” this is the poster child.
2) Sutton (the underrated best friend borough)
Sutton is usually around 60 per 1,000, and it’s one of the better “safe but not absurdly expensive” options.
It’s not trying to impress anyone. It’s just… functional. Good schools, quiet streets, decent high street. The Toyota Camry of boroughs (said with love).
Look at: Cheam, Carshalton, Wallington
Tip: avoid being right next to the town centre if you’re sensitive to noise.
3) Kingston upon Thames (lively center, calmer edges)
Kingston is around 65 per 1,000, but the town centre is busier (shopping + nightlife = more incidents). The trick is to enjoy Kingston… without living on top of Kingston.
Look at: Surbiton (great rail links), New Malden (family friendly, big Korean community)
If you want space but still need a commute that doesn’t eat your entire life, Kingston area living can be a really nice balance.
4) Harrow + Merton (same goal, different flavors)
Both generally fall around 65-70 per 1,000.
- Harrow: suburban, multicultural, good for people who want calm + Tube access
Look at: Pinner, Stanmore
- Merton: includes Wimbledon, which is lovely and pricey (yes, that Wimbledon)
Look at: Wimbledon Village if budget is fake, Raynes Park if you want similar vibes for less
5) Bexley, Bromley, Barnet (the “trees + schools + commuting” trio)
These are classic outer borough picks: solid safety numbers, green space, family friendly energy, and commutes that can be longer depending on where you land.
- Bexley: often the most budget friendly of the three
- Bromley: lots of different town/village pockets
Look at: Beckenham, Chislehurst
- Barnet: strong Tube coverage
Look at: High Barnet, Totteridge
If your dream is “quiet street, parks nearby, my nervous system can unclench,” start with peaceful UK places.
6) Havering + Redbridge (safer East London options)
East London can be a mixed bag, but these two are often safer picks.
- Havering (~65 per 1,000): generally quieter
Look at: Upminster, Hornchurch
- Redbridge: a nice mix of affordability + safety
Look at: Wanstead (close in convenience with more outer borough energy)
“Okay but I don’t want to live in the suburbs forever” — fair. Here are a few safer-ish inner options.
If you want more “London London,” without fully volunteering as tribute, these are worth a look:
- Wandsworth: often a pleasant surprise. Areas like Putney and Southfields can feel calmer while keeping you well connected.
- Hillingdon: great if you work near Heathrow or want space for less money. Ruislip and Eastcote can feel very commuter town (in a good way).
- Hampstead: proof that inner London can feel village-y and quite safe… if your bank account can emotionally handle it.
The thing nobody tells you loud enough: London is block by block
London’s catchphrase should be: “Same borough, different universe.”
Borough averages are useful, but central areas especially can swing wildly street to street. Camden Town at 2am is not the same vibe as Primrose Hill (even though, technically, same borough). Same with parts of Westminster, Lambeth, Southwark, Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Newham—pockets can feel totally different within a few minutes’ walk.
So don’t write off an entire borough because someone on the internet said “avoid.” But also don’t move somewhere based on one cute TikTok of a coffee shop.
Which brings me to my favorite part: doing your own research like a responsible snoop.
How to research any street’s safety (without relying on a random comment from 2017)
Put on your detective hat. (Mine is metaphorical and slightly dusty.)
1) Start with Police.uk — and use the exact postcode
Not “Camden.” Not “near London Bridge-ish.” The actual postcode. Look at the last 12 months, not one weird month.
2) Zoom in on the categories that matter for where you live
Shopping streets will have loads of “other theft.” That often means pickpocketing, shoplifting, phone snatches—still annoying, but not the same as residential risk.
For a home base, pay attention to:
- burglary
- robbery
- violence with injury
3) Do the “station walk” at different times
Walk from the station/bus stop to the flat at:
- morning (commuter calm),
- early evening (everyone’s out),
- later night (the truth comes out).
You’ll learn more in 20 minutes than in three hours of online doom scrolling.
4) Look for physical clues
Not in a paranoid way—just in a “do people treat this place like it matters?” way:
- working street lights
- well kept front gardens/communal areas
- secure entry doors (not propped open 24/7 like it’s a casual suggestion)
- Neighbourhood Watch signs (yes, I know. Still useful.)
5) Talk to locals
Café staff, dog walkers, the person who has lived there since 1982 and absolutely has notes—these people will tell you what it’s like day to day.
Clarity beats anxiety. Every time.
Quick safety FAQ (because I know you’re already wondering)
Which borough has the lowest crime rate?
Usually Richmond upon Thames.
Are outer boroughs always safer?
On average, yes. But some inner neighborhoods can beat outer borough averages—so check the specific area.
Is London safe to walk at night?
In quieter residential parts of safer boroughs, generally yes—especially on well lit roads with some foot traffic. Anywhere in London, be more cautious with isolated canal paths, parks, or shortcut routes late at night. (Your “shortcut era” can wait.)
North or South London—what’s safer?
The safest boroughs are spread around. Don’t choose based on compass direction alone.
Where’s the best mix of safety and affordability?
Often Sutton. Bexley and Havering can also be strong contenders depending on your commute needs.
My “do this next” checklist (so you actually pick a place)
1) Pick 3 boroughs that fit your budget + commute reality.
2) Pick 2 neighborhoods in each.
3) Check Police.uk by postcode (last 12 months).
4) Visit and do the station to home walk at a couple different times.
5) Trust the pattern, not the panic.
London is an amazing city. Choosing a safer area doesn’t mean you’re boring—it means you want to spend your energy on museums, pubs, friends, parks, and whatever your new London life looks like… not on constantly clutching your bag like it’s a priceless artifact.
Now go pick a postcode like you mean it.
