Crime in Southampton district: statistics, rates and trends

34,149 crimes were recorded in Southampton district in the 12 months to July 2026, 131.6 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 14,043 reports (41% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Southampton district has the 33rd highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Southampton district was highest in the year to July 2022 (39,931 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (34,149). Over the whole period it fell 10%, 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.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Southampton district 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. Rates were well above the national level for violence and sexual offences, shoplifting, public order.

The largest increases were in robbery (+42%) and possession of weapons (+27%). The largest falls were in theft from the person (-29%) and bicycle theft (-14%).

Violence and sexual offences in Southampton district

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Southampton district recorded 14,043 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (54.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 41.1% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Southampton district

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Southampton district recorded 3,505 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 10.3% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Southampton district

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Southampton district recorded 3,434 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 10.1% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Southampton district

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Southampton district recorded 2,698 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 7.9% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Southampton district

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Southampton district recorded 2,159 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 6.3% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Southampton district

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Southampton district recorded 1,937 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Southampton district

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Southampton district recorded 1,641 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Southampton district

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Southampton district recorded 1,334 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 3.9% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Southampton district

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Southampton district recorded 1,203 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Southampton district

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Southampton district recorded 591 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 27% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Southampton district

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Southampton district recorded 528 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Southampton district

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Southampton district recorded 496 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 42% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Southampton district

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Southampton district recorded 358 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Southampton district

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Southampton district recorded 222 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the districts closest to Southampton district, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Southampton district.

18 areas within Southampton district, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Banister & Polygon had the highest rate (273.6 per 1,000) and Bassett the lowest (63.2). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

Police.uk records each crime at an approximate location, usually the centre of a nearby street or a landmark, to protect victims' privacy. These are the locations with the most reports in Southampton district over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Southampton district 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.

Southampton district has an estimated population of 259,424. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Southampton district sits in decile 4.5, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

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 Southampton district. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.