An increase in Airbnb properties is associated with higher crime rates in London, a study suggests.
A 10% rise in active Airbnb rentals in the capital would correspond to an additional 1,000 robberies per year across the city above 2018 levels, when the study data ends, researchers said.
The study suggested a “positive association” between the number of properties listed as Airbnb rentals and police-reported robberies and violent crimes in London neighbourhoods between 2015 and 2018.
The rapid rate crime increases in conjunction with new rentals suggests the link is related to more opportunities for crime, rather than other factors, urban sociologists say.
“We tested for the most plausible alternative explanations, from changes in police patrols to tourist hotspots and even football matches,” said Dr Charles Lanfear from Cambridge’s Institute of Criminology, a co-author of the study.
“Nothing changed the core finding that Airbnb rentals are related to higher crime rates in London neighbourhoods.
“While Airbnb offers benefits to tourists and hosts in terms of ease and financial reward, there may be social consequences to turning large swathes of city neighbourhoods into hotels with little regulation.”
An estimated 4.5 million guests stayed in a London Airbnb during the period studied.
The researchers found the link between active Airbnbs and crime is primarily influenced by entire properties to rent, rather than spare or shared rooms.
Their study found the association between active Airbnb rentals and crime was most significant for robbery and burglary, followed by theft and any violence.
There was no link for antisocial behaviour and bodily harm.
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