By SIQI LI and JUN LU

The data set comprises cross-sectional and panel data on different types of crime for 32 London boroughs from 2012 to 2022. It has been hand-curated to match with data on a wide range of air pollutants. The data set has been analyzed using spatial econometric modeling to measure the impact of air pollution in London on the occurrence of different types of crime. The results indicate that air pollution in London has gradually improved, having previously been the most polluted city in the world. Air pollution exerts diverse effects on the occurrence of different crimes. Among these, the occurrence of theft crime is significantly and positively affected by air pollution, while the occurrence of dangerous driving crime is slightly inhibited by air pollution. This inhibitory effect is estimated to be related to the inhibitory effect of air pollution on traveling. However, there is no significant effect of air pollution on the occurrence of weapon possession crime. This study makes recommendations for the further development of emissions reduction policies in London in the future, as well as for the prevention of crime through the control of air pollution