Crime in Hampshire: statistics, rates and trends
93,230 crimes were recorded in Hampshire in the 12 months to July 2026, 64.4 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 3% on the year before.
Table of Contents
93,230 crimes were recorded in Hampshire in the 12 months to July 2026, 64.4 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 3% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 41,872 reports (45% of the total).
Of the 21 counties covered by this site, Hampshire has the 19th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Hampshire | South East | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 93,230 | 784,242 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 64.4 | 81.3 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -3% | -0% | -1% |
| Population | 1,447,214 | 9,642,942 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Hampshire was highest in the year to July 2022 (113,242 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (93,230). Over the whole period it fell 15%, against a fall of 4% across England and Wales. Rates use today's population for every year, so they show the direction of change rather than exact historic rates.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 93,230 | 64.4 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 96,072 | 66.4 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 97,719 | 67.5 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 106,635 | 73.7 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 113,242 | 78.2 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 103,245 | 71.3 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 105,578 | 73.0 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 99,013 | 68.4 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 109,211 | 75.5 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 9,315 |
| June 2026 | 8,218 |
| May 2026 | 8,399 |
| April 2026 | 7,600 |
| March 2026 | 7,860 |
| February 2026 | 6,716 |
| January 2026 | 7,097 |
| December 2025 | 7,007 |
| November 2025 | 7,389 |
| October 2025 | 7,713 |
| September 2025 | 7,688 |
| August 2025 | 8,228 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Hampshire over the 12 months to July 2026. The index compares the local rate with England and Wales: 1.00 is the national rate, 2.00 is double it. The largest increases were in possession of weapons (+51%) and robbery (+39%).
The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-28%) and theft from the person (-23%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 41,872 | 28.9 | 0.85 | +7% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 11,047 | 7.6 | 0.50 | -1% |
| Public order | 7,193 | 5.0 | 0.75 | -12% |
| Shoplifting | 6,634 | 4.6 | 0.55 | -18% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 6,564 | 4.5 | 0.67 | -11% |
| Other theft | 5,913 | 4.1 | 0.64 | -8% |
| Vehicle crime | 3,346 | 2.3 | 0.47 | -28% |
| Burglary | 3,166 | 2.2 | 0.62 | -15% |
| Drugs | 2,505 | 1.7 | 0.53 | -1% |
| Other crime | 1,899 | 1.3 | 0.62 | -9% |
| Possession of weapons | 1,457 | 1.0 | 1.04 | +51% |
| Robbery | 650 | 0.4 | 0.33 | +39% |
| Bicycle theft | 633 | 0.4 | 0.53 | -10% |
| Theft from the person | 351 | 0.2 | 0.14 | -23% |
Violence and sexual offences in Hampshire
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Hampshire recorded 41,872 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (28.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 44.9% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Hampshire
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Hampshire recorded 11,047 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 11.8% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Hampshire
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Hampshire recorded 7,193 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 7.7% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Hampshire
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Hampshire recorded 6,634 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 7.1% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Hampshire
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Hampshire recorded 6,564 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 7.0% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Hampshire
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Hampshire recorded 5,913 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 6.3% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Hampshire
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Hampshire recorded 3,346 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 28% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Hampshire
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Hampshire recorded 3,166 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Hampshire
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Hampshire recorded 2,505 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Hampshire
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Hampshire recorded 1,899 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Hampshire
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Hampshire recorded 1,457 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 51% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Hampshire
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Hampshire recorded 650 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 39% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Hampshire
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Hampshire recorded 633 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Hampshire
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Hampshire recorded 351 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the counties closest to Hampshire, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Hampshire.
| County | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Hampshire |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Sussex | 75,447 | 82.5 | +28% |
| Surrey | 87,826 | 70.3 | +9% |
| Oxfordshire | 51,240 | 67.1 | +4% |
| Hertfordshire | 105,683 | 85.5 | +33% |
| East Sussex | 50,773 | 90.5 | +41% |
| Gloucestershire | 55,492 | 82.9 | +29% |
| Kent | 145,448 | 88.7 | +38% |
| Essex | 124,662 | 79.7 | +24% |
11 areas within Hampshire, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Havant had the highest rate (87.0 per 1,000) and Hart the lowest (44.3). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Havant | District | 126,985 | 11,044 | 87.0 |
| Gosport | District | 82,921 | 6,538 | 78.8 |
| Rushmoor | District | 105,751 | 8,239 | 77.9 |
| Basingstoke and Deane | District | 193,110 | 13,432 | 69.6 |
| Eastleigh | District | 142,933 | 9,302 | 65.1 |
| Winchester | District | 135,632 | 8,532 | 62.9 |
| Fareham | District | 115,428 | 6,986 | 60.5 |
| Test Valley | District | 135,201 | 8,166 | 60.4 |
| New Forest | District | 176,116 | 10,252 | 58.2 |
| East Hampshire | District | 129,975 | 6,164 | 47.4 |
| Hart | District | 103,162 | 4,575 | 44.3 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Hampshire over the 12 months to July 2026. Many cases are still open when the data is published, and anti-social behaviour has no outcome recorded, so these shares change as investigations finish.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 30,649 | 32.9% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 26,829 | 28.8% |
| Not recorded | 11,047 | 11.8% |
| Under investigation | 8,405 | 9.0% |
| Local resolution | 4,038 | 4.3% |
| Status update unavailable | 3,889 | 4.2% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 3,475 | 3.7% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 1,424 | 1.5% |
| Court result unavailable | 1,327 | 1.4% |
| Offender given a caution | 851 | 0.9% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 732 | 0.8% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 436 | 0.5% |
Hampshire has an estimated population of 1,447,214. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Hampshire sits in decile 7.3, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Hampshire |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.6% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 59.9% |
| Aged 65 and over | 22.4% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 71.0% |
| Social rented homes | 13.9% |
| Private rented homes | 15.0% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 7.3 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 1.6% |
Is Hampshire a safe place to live?
Hampshire recorded 64.4 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4. Crime is concentrated in a small number of places within most areas, often busy centres and transport hubs, so the rate for a single street can differ a lot from the area as a whole.
What is the most common crime in Hampshire?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 41,872 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (11,047).
Is crime in Hampshire going up or down?
Recorded crime in Hampshire was down 3% on the year before: 93,230 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 96,072 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Hampshire?
Hampshire is policed by Hampshire. Non-emergency crimes can be reported online to the force or by calling 101; in an emergency call 999.
How are these crime rates calculated?
Each rate is the number of crimes recorded by the police in the 12 months to July 2026, divided by the resident population and multiplied by 1,000. Crime data is from data.police.uk and population estimates are from the Office for National Statistics.
Figures are police-recorded crime published on data.police.uk, covering August 2017 to July 2026. Each crime is counted in the small area (LSOA) where it was recorded and added up to Hampshire. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.