Is Woolwich safe? Woolwich records more crime than the Greenwich and London averages: 112.27 offences per 1,000 people in the 12 months to April 2026, about 29 per cent above Greenwich (87.11) and 36 per cent above London (82.39). Violence and sexual offences make up a third of it, robbery, drugs and public order offences run well above the borough rate, and the total rose 14 per cent on the year, so the risk is concentrated in the town centre rather than spread evenly across SE18. CrimeRate counts 3,888 recorded offences in Woolwich over that period.
Data: police-recorded crime, 12 months to April 2026 (latest CrimeRate period, last updated 7 June 2026, checked 24 October 2026), counts and rates from CrimeRate’s analysis of data.police.uk; neighbourhood teams and priorities from the Metropolitan Police’s local pages (checked 24 October 2026); street data on data.police.uk published to August 2026. Shares, ratios and changes are our own arithmetic on those figures. The figures describe recorded incidents, not the people who live here. Updated 24 October 2026.
What is the crime rate in Woolwich?
Woolwich’s recorded crime rate is 112.27 per 1,000 people in the 12 months to April 2026, according to CrimeRate, from 3,888 recorded offences. That is about 29 per cent above the Royal Borough of Greenwich rate of 87.11 and 36 per cent above the London rate of 82.39. The 3,888 offences exclude anti-social behaviour: the 14 categories CrimeRate lists add up to 4,830 incidents, and 942 of them (about 19.5 per cent) are anti-social behaviour reports. Woolwich accounts for about 14 per cent of all recorded crime in Greenwich (27,583 offences). Greenwich itself is 11th of London’s 32 boroughs on this measure; see London crime rate by borough for the full league.
How does Woolwich compare with the areas around it?
Woolwich is second of the five neighbouring Greenwich areas CrimeRate lists for the 12 months to April 2026, with 112.27 offences per 1,000 people: below Woolwich Common (125.54) and well above Plumstead (83.37), Shooters Hill (73.66) and Woolwich Dockyard (70.53). It records by far the most offences of the five (3,888), about 42 per cent of their combined total of 9,197.
| Area (Greenwich) | Recorded offences, 12 months to April 2026 | Recorded crime per 1,000, 12 months to April 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Woolwich Common | 1,044 | 125.54 |
| Woolwich | 3,888 | 112.27 |
| Plumstead | 2,627 | 83.37 |
| Shooters Hill | 1,466 | 73.66 |
| Woolwich Dockyard | 172 | 70.53 |
| Greenwich (borough) | 27,583 | 87.11 |
| London | 896,400 | 82.39 |
Source: CrimeRate analysis of data.police.uk (Woolwich area page and its nearby-areas table, checked 24 October 2026), anti-social behaviour excluded.
The gap within a mile or two is wide. Plumstead, directly east, records about a quarter less crime per person than Woolwich, and Shooters Hill to the south about a third less. That pattern is typical of a town centre: Woolwich has the main shopping streets, the market, the Elizabeth line, DLR and rail stations and the riverside developments, so many offences are recorded where people shop and travel rather than where they live. Woolwich Common’s higher rate comes from a much smaller count (1,044), where a few hundred offences move the rate a lot.
Is Woolwich safer than Peckham, Clapham or Lewisham?
Woolwich is close to Clapham and below Peckham on recorded rate. In the 12 months to April 2026 Woolwich recorded 112.27 offences per 1,000 people, against 111.31 in Clapham, 121.82 in Peckham, 132.04 in Bethnal Green and 144.13 in Brixton on the same CrimeRate measure. All of them sit well above the London rate of 82.39, so Woolwich belongs with the busy inner-London high streets rather than with the quieter outer suburbs. The neighbouring borough of Lewisham as a whole records 92.69 per 1,000, so Woolwich’s rate is about 21 per cent higher, although an area and a whole borough are not a like-for-like comparison.
| Area (borough) | Recorded crime per 1,000, 12 months to April 2026 | Compared with London (82.39) |
|---|---|---|
| Brixton (Lambeth) | 144.13 | +75% |
| Bethnal Green (Tower Hamlets) | 132.04 | +60% |
| Peckham (Southwark) | 121.82 | +48% |
| Woolwich (Greenwich) | 112.27 | +36% |
| Clapham (Lambeth) | 111.31 | +35% |
| London | 82.39 | – |
Source: CrimeRate analysis of data.police.uk, anti-social behaviour excluded; percentages are our own arithmetic.
All five figures come from one source with one population method; rates from different websites use different boundaries and should not be mixed. For the neighbouring borough, read is Lewisham safe?, and for the other areas in the table, is Peckham safe? and is Clapham safe?
What kind of crime is recorded in Woolwich?
Violence and sexual offences is the largest category in Woolwich, with 1,311 of the 3,888 offences (33.7 per cent) in the 12 months to April 2026, at 37.87 per 1,000 people against 31.79 for Greenwich and 25.12 for London. Theft-type offences (shoplifting, other theft, theft from the person, vehicle crime and bicycle theft) add up to 1,231 offences, or 31.7 per cent.
| Category | Woolwich offences, 12 months to April 2026 | Woolwich per 1,000 | Greenwich per 1,000 | London per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 1,311 | 37.87 | 31.79 | 25.12 |
| Shoplifting | 438 | 12.63 | 8.63 | 8.09 |
| Other theft | 392 | 11.31 | 7.73 | 8.97 |
| Public order | 375 | 10.83 | 6.83 | 5.52 |
| Drugs | 284 | 8.19 | 5.69 | 4.87 |
| Criminal damage and arson | 224 | 6.48 | 6.22 | 4.99 |
| Burglary | 216 | 6.25 | 4.40 | 4.34 |
| Vehicle crime | 208 | 6.01 | 7.84 | 7.50 |
| Theft from the person | 164 | 4.74 | 2.64 | 7.11 |
| Robbery | 156 | 4.51 | 2.52 | 2.83 |
| Other crime | 55 | 1.57 | 1.37 | 1.19 |
| Possession of weapons | 36 | 1.04 | 0.64 | 0.60 |
| Bicycle theft | 29 | 0.84 | 0.81 | 1.26 |
| Total (excl. anti-social behaviour) | 3,888 | 112.27 | 87.11 | 82.39 |
| Anti-social behaviour (not in total) | 942 | 27.21 | 20.77 | 21.68 |
Source: CrimeRate analysis of data.police.uk (Woolwich area page, checked 24 October 2026); shares and ratios are our own arithmetic.
Four things stand out. First, robbery (4.51 per 1,000) is about 1.8 times the Greenwich rate and 1.6 times London’s, and theft from the person is 1.8 times the borough rate, though still below the London figure, which is inflated by the West End. Second, drugs (8.19) and public order (10.83) are about 1.4 and 1.6 times the borough rate, and possession of weapons about 1.6 times: these are offences that often rise with police activity, and the two local teams below both name drug dealing as a priority. Third, burglary (6.25) is about 1.4 times both the Greenwich and London rates, the figure that matters most for residents. Fourth, vehicle crime (6.01) is lower than in Greenwich as a whole, and bicycle theft is about the borough average. Violence and sexual offences is a broad police category that includes harassment and offences with no injury, so it does not mean a third of incidents are assaults.
Is crime in Woolwich going up or down?
Up. Woolwich recorded 3,888 offences in the 12 months to April 2026, up from 3,405 the year before (a rise of 483, or 14.2 per cent), while the Greenwich rate was almost flat (86.77 to 87.11) and the London rate fell about 1 per cent (83.23 to 82.39). The latest count is the highest of CrimeRate’s last ten yearly rows, about 20 per cent above 2017 and 5 per cent above the 2019 pre-pandemic count; the rate (112.27) is about 8 per cent above 2017 but still below 2019 (115.18).
| Year (CrimeRate yearly row; 2026 = 12 months to April 2026) | Woolwich offences | Woolwich rate per 1,000 | Greenwich rate per 1,000 | London rate per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 3,245 | 104.38 | 81.16 | 72.41 |
| 2018 | 3,374 | 106.81 | 82.65 | 77.08 |
| 2019 | 3,694 | 115.18 | 87.04 | 80.70 |
| 2020 | 3,516 | 109.02 | 85.58 | 77.66 |
| 2021 | 3,175 | 97.07 | 79.17 | 69.09 |
| 2022 | 3,559 | 107.80 | 83.87 | 75.77 |
| 2023 | 3,491 | 104.21 | 83.74 | 78.98 |
| 2024 | 3,653 | 107.72 | 87.41 | 84.38 |
| 2025 | 3,405 | 99.55 | 86.77 | 83.23 |
| 2026 | 3,888 | 112.27 | 87.11 | 82.39 |
Source: CrimeRate analysis of data.police.uk, anti-social behaviour excluded (CrimeRate’s partial 2016 row not used). Changes are our own arithmetic.
The long view is steadier than the latest jump suggests. Over the decade Woolwich’s rate has moved within a band of about 97 to 115 per 1,000, usually about 18 to 28 per 1,000 above the borough (the exception is 2025, at 12.8), and the 2026 rate (112.27) is still below the 2019 peak (115.18) even though the count is higher. The 2025 row (99.55) was the lowest outside the 2021 lockdown year, so part of this year’s 14 per cent rise is a return to the usual level rather than a new high. What does stand out is the direction against the wider picture: London’s rate fell in the latest year while Woolwich’s rose.
Which police neighbourhood teams cover Woolwich?
Woolwich is policed by the Metropolitan Police’s Greenwich neighbourhood teams, mainly the Woolwich Arsenal and Woolwich Common Safer Neighbourhood Teams, with Woolwich Dockyard to the west (Met Police pages, checked 24 October 2026). Drug dealing and drug-related anti-social behaviour is a priority for both of the teams whose pages we could read, and the Woolwich Arsenal team also names violence against women and girls along the Thames Path.
| Met Police neighbourhood team (Greenwich) | Current priorities (date issued) |
|---|---|
| Woolwich Arsenal | Drug misuse, dealing and related anti-social behaviour on Duke of Wellington Street, Wellington Park and nearby; drug-related harm and anti-social behaviour on the Armstrong Estate; violence against women and girls along the Thames Path (1 January 2026) |
| Woolwich Common | Crime prevention around the military estate resettlement; drug-related anti-social behaviour and estate security around Trinity Walk and Congleton Grove; hotspot patrols for drug crime and burglary in areas residents have highlighted (1 June 2026) |
| Woolwich Dockyard | Team page could not be read on 24 October 2026 |
Source: Met Police neighbourhood team pages. Ward boundaries do not match the CrimeRate area exactly, so compare streets, not wards.
The priorities match the data. Woolwich’s drugs rate is about 1.4 times the borough’s and both teams name drug dealing; the Woolwich Common team names burglary, and the area’s burglary rate is about 1.4 times the Greenwich figure. Priorities are set at ward panel meetings from what residents report, so they are a signal of local concern, not a crime count.
When is crime most likely in Woolwich?
CrimeRate’s Woolwich figures for the 12 months to April 2026 are annual totals, so they show no month-by-month pattern for the area. Police street data is published monthly, and the postcode checker shows the last 12 months for any SE18 postcode by month, which is the best way to see whether your street has a summer or autumn peak. Nationally, the pattern by hour, day and season is set out on our sister site’s guide to when crime is most likely.
Is Woolwich safe at night?
No official data shows whether Woolwich is riskier at night: police street-level data, including the 3,888 offences recorded in the 12 months to April 2026, carries a month and an approximate location but no time of day. What the mix does show is that robbery (156 offences, about 1.8 times the Greenwich rate) and public order offences (375) are high, which fits a busy transport hub. One gap matters here: British Transport Police supplied no crime data to data.police.uk for March 2025 to August 2026, so offences inside Woolwich’s Elizabeth line, DLR and rail stations are missing from recent street-level counts (see how the police crime map works). Late at night, keep your phone out of sight around the station exits and General Gordon Square, use the lit main roads rather than the Thames Path or park paths, and plan the trip home before you set out. You can check your own route in the UK crime map.
Is Woolwich a safe place to live?
The rate that matters for a home is the one for your own street, not the area average of 112.27 per 1,000. Woolwich’s figure is pushed up by the town centre, the market and the stations, where many offences are recorded but fewer people live, and the neighbouring areas record much less: Plumstead 83.37, Shooters Hill 73.66 and Woolwich Dockyard 70.53. For residents, the numbers to watch are burglary (6.25 per 1,000, about 1.4 times Greenwich) and anti-social behaviour (27.21, about 1.3 times Greenwich), while vehicle crime is below the borough average. Compare two postcodes before deciding, and read how to check crime in your area for the limits of any single number. If anti-social behaviour on your street is the problem, our sister site explains how to report anti-social behaviour. This page describes what was recorded, not the people who live here.
How do I check a specific street or postcode in Woolwich?
- Enter the postcode in the postcode checker to see 12 months of police-recorded crime and the trend by month.
- Add a second postcode, for example one near Woolwich town centre and one towards Plumstead or Shooters Hill, to compare two streets side by side.
- Use the London crime map guide to see how Greenwich compares with Lewisham, Bexley and the other boroughs.
- Check the local Met Police team page for current priorities and how to contact the team about a non-urgent problem.
These figures describe areas, not addresses. Police data covers reported crime only, and each crime is shown at a nearby anonymised point. Read where our crime data comes from for the limits. Rates from different websites use different population estimates and are not directly comparable, so the area numbers on this page all come from one source.
Want this on the walk itself?
Safety App UK puts a live safety map built from official police data and community reports on your phone, with safer routes, a map of police stations and Ask for Angela venues, and SOS by button or shake that shares your live location and live video with your trusted circle. It does not call the emergency services. Start with a 7-day free trial (for accounts that have not used one before; a payment method is needed), then £2.99 a month or £29.99 a year. Android only for now; cancel any time in Google Play.
Get the app — free for 7 days Check a Woolwich postcode
Woolwich crime FAQ
Is Woolwich safe?
Woolwich records more crime than average: 112.27 per 1,000 people in the 12 months to April 2026, against 87.11 for Greenwich and 82.39 for London. Much of it is concentrated in the town centre and around the stations, and nearby Plumstead (83.37) and Shooters Hill (73.66) record far less.
What is the crime rate in Woolwich?
112.27 recorded crimes per 1,000 people in the 12 months to April 2026 (3,888 offences), according to CrimeRate’s analysis of police data. Anti-social behaviour, a further 942 reports, is not included in that figure.
Is Woolwich safe at night?
Police data cannot answer it directly, because the 3,888 offences recorded in the 12 months to April 2026 have no time of day, and station crime is missing for March 2025 to August 2026. Robbery runs at about 1.8 times the Greenwich rate, so keep your phone out of sight near the stations and use lit main roads late.
Is crime in Woolwich going up?
Yes, in the latest year. Recorded offences rose from 3,405 to 3,888 (14.2 per cent) in the 12 months to April 2026, while the Greenwich rate was flat and London’s fell about 1 per cent. The rate (112.27) is still below the 2019 peak of 115.18.
Is Woolwich safer than Peckham?
Yes, by recorded rate. In the 12 months to April 2026 Woolwich recorded 112.27 offences per 1,000 people and Peckham 121.82 on the same CrimeRate measure, so Peckham’s rate is about 9 per cent higher.
More on South and East London: is Lewisham safe?, is Peckham safe?, is Croydon safe? and is Stratford safe? Across the capital: is London safe? and safest areas in London. In an emergency call 999.