The Home Counties crime hotspots where people are more likely to carry weapons than in London

A new study has revealed that five of eight Home Counties police force areas recorded higher weapons possession rates than the London average in the last year.

Across 40 geographical areas analysed, Sussex ranked second overall, behind only Westminster, with 1.41 offences per 1,000 population - nearly double London’s average of 0.79.

Hampshire tallied 1.06 offences per 1,000 population, and Kent 0.99.

Overall, the average weapons possession rate across the Home Counties was 0.89 per 1,000 population, compared with 0.79 in London.

The London & Home Counties Residential Crime Risk Report 2026 analysed offence data across five crime categories affecting residential areas including burglary, vehicle offences, criminal damage & arson, public order offences and possession of weapons offences, between March 2025 and March 2026.

The report also found that weapons possession offences increased in six of eight home county police force areas in the last year.

Bedfordshire recorded a 20% year-on-year increase, followed by Hertfordshire at 15.72%, Surrey at 13.36% and Essex at 12.60%.

In contrast, London boroughs Greenwich, Enfield and Waltham Forest each saw reduced weapons possession offences.

Thames Valley Police also recorded a 10.2% reduction in weapons offences – an outlier in terms of Home Counties weapons offence rates.

Average criminal damage and arson rates were also found to be higher in the Home Counties than in London (6.24 vs 6.16), with Kent ranking as the second worst area across London and the Home Counties.

The Home Counties are also home to public order offence hotspots, with Hampshire (7.07 per 1,000) and Sussex (7.05 per 1,000) exceeding London’s average public order offence rate.

The findings come as the Home Office announced a record year for the largest number of drug lines closed, with 7,381 arrests reported following a crackdown on county lines gangs.

Nick Titchener, Criminal Solicitor and Managing Partner at Lawtons Solicitors who commissioned the report, said: “The data is a stark reminder that violent crime can occur in any area, no matter how affluent.

“Across the Home Counties, county lines crime continues to pose a significant challenge to policing operations, as drug gang activity and violent crime remain closely linked. But, the bigger picture shows real progress being made within London.

“As councils and authorities continue to engage with local community groups over issues such as knife crime, community engagement and cooperation remain the key to long-term and tangible change.”