Social and environmental context

Indices of multiple deprivation.

The Index of Multiple Deprivation 2010 (IMD 2010) combine 38 indicators covering different aspects of deprivation, into a single deprivation score for each small area in England known as Lower Super Output Areas (LSOA). This allows each area to be ranked relative to one another according to their level of deprivation. There are 32,482 LSOAs in England. The LSOA ranked 1 by the IMD 2010 is the most deprived and that ranked 32,482 is the least deprived i.e. the higher the rank; the less deprived an area.

The different indicators cover Income, Employment, Health and Disability, Education, Skills and Training, Barriers to Housing and Services, Living Environment and Crime. These are weighted and combined to create the overall IMD 2010.

The IMD 2010 includes the following measures of deprivation:

• The Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD 2010) as described above
• Local Authority Summaries of the IMD 2010
• Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index 2010
• Income Deprivation Affecting Older People Index 2010

Crime and community safety

• Crime is relatively low compared to other London boroughs
• Crime has generally fallen from 2007 to 2008
• The public in Bexley are concerned with anti-social behaviour as a priority

Bexley Community Safety Partnership concentrates on four key priorities

• assaults and violent crime
• anti-social behaviour related to youths
• anti-social behaviour related to alcohol
• residential burglary

Bexley police have 369 police officers, 110 Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and 87 police support staff. These are supported by nearly 200 members of the community who volunteer their time as Special Constables, Volunteer in Policing and Volunteer Police Cadets. 

More detailed crime statistics for the whole of London and by borough can be found by following links under 'related links' on the right. For an overview report of crime and disorder in Bexley, please read the Bexley Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership Strategic Assessment named "Joint Strategic Needs Assessment" under 'related media'.

Labour market statistics (employment, qualifications, earnings and benefits)

• During 2008, 80% of Bexley's population were working which is better than the London and Great Britain average.
• 11.5% of Bexley have no qualifications which is slightly better than the London and Great Britain average.
• Average gross weekly pay for residents of Bexley in 2008 was £543.30.

For detailed information, please see nomis - official labour market statistics.

House prices

Details about House Price Index for the London Borough of Bexley can be found on the Land Registry website.

Social housing

There is no Council Housing in Bexley. All Council housing was transferred to Registered Social Landlords (RSL) to manage. The London Borough of Bexley has nomination rights to RSL properties. Therefore people are registered to the Council waiting list but the properties applied for are owned by RSL or Housing Associations.

A Housing Association is a not-for-profit organisation which owns, lets and manages rental housing. If a Housing Association is registered with the Housing Corporation, it is also referred to as an RSL. A Registered Social Landlord (RSL) is an independent housing organisation registered with the Housing Corporation. They may be an Industrial and Provident Society, a registered charity or a company.

There are a number of Registered Social Landlords that rent properties within Bexley. These are:

There are 13,519 social rented units within Bexley. However turnover is much lower - there are much fewer letting opportunities each year.

Please see Bexley Housing Allocations found under 'Related Articles' and the Housing areas in Bexley PDF under 'Related media' for a breakdown of size and area of these properties.

Private sector housing

• 2001 Census information shows that around 85% of households own or privately rent their homes. The majority of these have bought their homes (with or without a mortgage) with a small private rented sector. Only 6% of all households in Bexley privately rent. For more detailed information please see the Census information by following the link on the right.
• It is estimated that the private rented sector has grown considerably since the 2001. Survey work will be published shortly to indicate the size of this growth.
• There are several different housing teams within the Council that can provide information for a range of housing issues (both private and social sector). Contact information for different issues can be found under of the A-Z of services
• The Council is committed to helping people in the community who have some supported housing needs and can help to find sheltered accommodation to buy or rent. Contact details for more information can be found under of the A-Z of services.
• For Housing grants (awarded to help pay the costs of repairing homes in a serious state of disrepair and home repair assistance grants for elderly or disabled occupiers) contact the Environmental Health Service. Contact details can be found under grants of the A-Z of services.
• For problems with private sector landlords contact Environmental Health on environmentalhealth@bexley.gov.uk. The Health & Safety Executive can also offer help and advice.
• A useful site for general lettings advice and information is the Letting Zone.