Is East Ham Safe? Answering All Your Questions About This Diverse London Area

East Ham is a diverse district in East London that’s home to a large Pakistani and Bangladeshi community. With its bustling high street green parks and transport links into central London, it attracts residents of all backgrounds. But is East Ham safe for visitors and residents? Here’s everything you need to know.

A Look at East Ham’s Crime Rates

Compared to other parts of London, East Ham has an average level of crime According to recent police statistics, it has similar violent and property crime rates to the rest of the city

This means East Ham is generally safe to live in and visit. You’re unlikely to experience issues if you take the same common sense precautions as in other parts of the capital. Still it pays to be alert especially at night when criminal activity increases across London.

Areas to Take Care In

Although most of East Ham is safe, there are certain areas where you may need to exercise more caution. These include:

• High Street – As with any busy town centre area, pickpockets and anti-social behaviour are issues here. Stay alert for your belongings at all times.

• Newham Park – After dark, muggings and drug dealing occasionally occur in this large park. Stick to well-lit paths and avoid it late at night.

• Beckton Road estate – Some gang and knife crime issues have been reported on this estate. It’s best avoided unless you have a reason to visit.

• Back alleys and side streets – As a general rule, stick to main roads when walking at night in East Ham. Well-lit and busy streets are always safer.

Is Violent Crime an Issue?

East Ham does see incidents of violent crime, but no more so than most urban areas of London. The majority of violence occurs between rival gangs, especially on estates like Beckton Road. So unless you’re involved in the drug trade or gangs, you’re very unlikely to experience issues.

There are also occasional muggings and assaults around the high street and Newham Park. Standard precautions like avoiding poorly lit areas at night and concealing valuables will minimise any risks.

Overall, East Ham’s violent crime rate per capita is average for London. You’re no more or less at risk than in most parts of the capital if you exercise good judgement.

Top Safety Tips for Visiting East Ham

Here are some top tips for staying safe and avoiding trouble in East Ham:

Stick to busy areas – Areas around the high street, Green Street, and high foot traffic roads are generally very safe, even at night.

Avoid estates and backstreets after dark – This is when criminal activity is more likely in less busy areas.

Conceal valuables – Don’t flash cash or expensive electronics, especially around the high street where pickpockets operate.

Travel in groups at night – There’s safety in numbers if venturing away from lively areas after dark.

Stay alert on public transport – Rush hour pickpockets target passengers on buses and at train stations.

Plan your route – Know where you’re going and avoid poorly lit or isolated areas and alleys.

Keep valuables secure – Use secure locks if parking a car locally, and don’t leave anything on display.

Report issues – Contact police if you experience or witness any crimes.

East Ham’s Community Safety Initiatives

East Ham does have safety issues like any urban area, but police and the council are taking steps to tackle problems. These include:

• Increased police foot patrols in key areas like the high street and local parks.

• Ongoing work with youth clubs and charities to divert young people away from gangs.

• Installing additional street lighting in problem areas to deter criminal activity.

• Cracking down on known drug dealing hotspots with raids and arrests.

• Running community watch groups and neighbourhood policing teams.

These initiatives are bearing fruit, with decreased crime rates in recent years. While East Ham isn’t crime-free, the situation is steadily improving thanks to efforts from authorities and residents.

Our Verdict – East Ham is a Safe Area Overall

Our verdict is that East Ham is generally a safe area to live in or visit, with crime rates in line with London averages.

Provided you apply basic precautions – avoiding isolated spots at night, concealing valuables, sticking to busy areas – it’s no more dangerous than most parts of the capital. In fact, its diversity and lively high street can make wandering East Ham a pleasure.

There are a minority of problem spots, like the Beckton Road estate, where extra care is needed. Criminal activity also increases after dark, as everywhere in London. But ultimately, East Ham’s safety issues are comparable to the majority of urban districts.

So don’t let East Ham’s unfair reputation put you off visiting or moving to this fascinating, culturally rich corner of East London. With its excellent schools, green spaces, shops, and restaurants, it has much to offer families and young professionals alike. Just use good judgement, and you’re unlikely to encounter issues in this up and coming neighbourhood.