Worst crime areas

Evening Standard Reporter5 April 2012

Some of the top residential areas in London are among the worst hit by crime, a new report reveals.

Top of the "worst value" league is Kensington, where the average property price is £642,500, but the crime rate is 38 per cent above the national average.

In Westminster the level of crime is even higher - 138 per cent above the national average - and yet homes in the borough cost three times the national average at £459,000.

The survey by UpMyStreet.com found that in the rest of the UK the more expensive an area, the lower the crime rate. Commercial director Julia Grinham said: "The research will give Londoners pause for thought because not only do they pay well above the odds, they are also subjected to some of the highest crime rates in the country."

Crime rate against national average (weighted)

1 Location Kensington & Chelsea
Average house price £642,482
Crime per 1,000131
Crime rate against national average (weighted) 38% more

2 Location Westminster
Average house price £459,517
Crime per 1,000225
Crime rate against national average (weighted) 138% more

3 Location Camden
Average house price £399,978
Crime per 1,000222
Crime rate against national average (weighted) 135% more

4Location South Bucks
Average house price £446,954
Crime per 1,000139
Crime rate against national average (weighted) 47% more

5 Location Islington
Average house price £284,857
Crime per 1,000229
Crime rate against national average (weighted) 143% more

6 Location Tower Hamlets
Average house price £241,253
Crime per 1,000257
Crime rate against national average (weighted) 172% more

7 Location Hammersmith & Fulham
Average house price £346,102
Crime per 1,000181
Crime rate against national average (weighted) 91% more

8 Location Hackney
Average house price £230,735
Crime per 1,000241
Crime rate against national average (weighted) 155% more

9 Location Lambeth
Average house price £227,583
Crime per 1,000220
Crime rate against national average (weighted) 133% more