Wandsworth residents are facing a surge in crime, with burglaries spiking by 51% since February, according to data presented at the Wandsworth Safer Neighbourhood Board meeting on Wednesday, 8th October 2025. Police are responding with both overt and covert operations, including the use of DNA kits and signage in partnership with the council, utilising SelectaDNA.
The alarming figures were part of the Safer Neighbourhood Board Data Pack presented by police representatives at the meeting, which took place at Wandsworth Town Hall. The data, available in the SNB Data Pack, compares crime statistics from June to August 2025 with those from February to March 2025.
While total notifiable offences in Wandsworth saw a 13.1% increase, residential burglaries experienced a far steeper rise of 51.5%. This contrasts sharply with the inner London average increase of 13.0% and the London-wide increase of just 2.8% for the same period. When compared to June-August 2024, residential burglaries are up 10.3% in Wandsworth.
The data pack also breaks down the increases in residential burglary by ward, with South Balham and West Putney experiencing the largest increases. These wards are a focus for the increased police activity.
Jan Forbes, Battersea Park Ward Panel Chair, reported that robberies and burglaries are rising, often involving Sur-ron bikes. Charles Hyde, Nine Elms Ward Panel Chair, reported that an emerging issue, since the disruption of robbery offences, is a noticeable increase in bicycle thefts, particularly from residential developments and public stands. It is believed that the increase in bicycle thefts is linked to the disruption of robbery offences.
The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for 9th December 2025.