Camden is generally considered a vibrant, bustling, and popular area, but it is also ranked as one of London's most dangerous boroughs, with high rates of theft and pickpocketing driven by tourist foot traffic. While safe during the day, it can feel "dodgy" at night, with risks of phone snatching, muggings, and petty crime around the station and market.
Camden is the third most dangerous borough in London. The overall crime rate in Camden in 2025 was 115 crimes per 1,000 people. This compares poorly to London's overall crime rate, coming in 35% higher than the London rate of 85 per 1,000 daytime population.
Camden is generally safe at night, especially in quieter residential areas. However, areas with vibrant nightlife may experience more anti-social behaviour, so it's best to remain cautious late at night.
While London is generally safe, you might want to avoid staying in areas known for higher petty crime (like Westminster Bridge/South Bank for pickpicking) or those with reputations for drug issues like parts of Brixton, Peckham, or Elephant & Castle, though these areas offer unique culture; instead, prioritize central locations like Covent Garden, South Kensington, or Bloomsbury for charm, or Shoreditch/Angel for trendy vibes, while being vigilant everywhere for phone theft.
Camden 022E has a higher rate of income deprivation affecting children (IDACI) than most neighbourhoods in England. It also has a higher rate of income deprivation affecting older people (IDAOPI) than most neighbourhoods in England.
Top 10 Most Dangerous Areas In The District Of Liverpool
What is the poorest area in London?
The poorest parts of London are concentrated in boroughs like Tower Hamlets, Hackney, and Newham, especially regarding income deprivation for children and older people, with pockets of poverty also in Brent, Barking & Dagenham, and parts of Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea. These areas face high rates of poverty, with some wards like Northumberland Park (Haringey) and Stonebridge (Brent) being among the most deprived.
Around 60% of Camden's population are White, 20% are Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh, 9% are Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African, 7% have Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups and 7% belong to Other ethnic groups.
Which part of London is safest? Richmond upon Thames (including areas like Teddington) consistently ranks as the safest borough in London, thanks to its low crime rates (about 72 crimes per 1000 people as of 2024), riverside parks, strong community vibe, and excellent schools.
Keep your mobile phone and valuables out of sight. If you're using your phone it's more likely to be snatched from your hand as you're not paying attention to your surroundings, so look around you. And never leave a mobile, any other device, wallet or purse on the table of an outdoor café, pub or restaurant.
Homicides and violent crime in Camden fell again in 2025, with city officials saying the latest numbers mark the safest year the city has seen in decades.
Since 2012, homicides in the city of Camden have fallen 82%. In addition, the city saw a 6% decrease in violent crime compared to 2024, along with a 32% decline in sexual assaults, and a 12% drop in robberies.
Where Are the Most Stabbings in London? Croydon and Hackney see the most stabbings. Knife crime jumps there, often tied to gangs. It is advised to people and tourists to not visit those areas alone after midnight.
The poorest parts of London are concentrated in boroughs like Tower Hamlets, Hackney, and Newham, especially regarding income deprivation for children and older people, with pockets of poverty also in Brent, Barking & Dagenham, and parts of Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea. These areas face high rates of poverty, with some wards like Northumberland Park (Haringey) and Stonebridge (Brent) being among the most deprived.
There are many areas in London to be cautious about, such as Westminster, Newham, Camden, and Lambeth. These areas are well known for their high crime rates and robbery. It is because of busy streets, full of people and nightlife. Therefore, unfamiliar areas and certain housing can be particularly risky.
According to Sell Homes Fast's numbers, Bromley is the capital's most laid back borough. There were only four noise complaints per 1,000 people in the area, while Bromley also had low levels of light pollution, no sewage works, and pretty low levels of greenhouse gas emissions.
Canary Wharf is a very safe area. It boasts one of the lowest crime rates in London, and many residents report feeling very safe, even when they are walking around alone or with their families at night.
London's Bangladeshi population in 2021 was 322,054, the highest concentrations were found in Tower Hamlets (34.59% of total borough population), Newham (15.86%), Redbridge (10.28%), Barking and Dagenham (10.23%) and Camden (6.83%).
The biggest immigrant population in London, by country of birth, is from India, followed by large communities from Romania, Poland, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, reflecting both historical Commonwealth ties and recent EU migration patterns, with India consistently leading as the largest single non-UK birthplace, notes the Trust for London.
