Crime in Winchester district: statistics, rates and trends

8,532 crimes were recorded in Winchester district in the 12 months to July 2026, 62.9 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 5% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 3,795 reports (44% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Winchester district has the 248th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Winchester district was highest in the year to July 2022 (9,724 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (8,125). Over the whole period it rose 0%, 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 Winchester 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. The largest increases were in possession of weapons (+102%) and violence and sexual offences (+20%).

The largest falls were in theft from the person (-52%) and vehicle crime (-37%).

Violence and sexual offences in Winchester district

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Winchester district recorded 3,795 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (28.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 20% on the year before. It made up 44.5% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Winchester district

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Winchester district recorded 792 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 9.3% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Winchester district

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Winchester district recorded 692 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 8.1% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Winchester district

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Winchester district recorded 668 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 7.8% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Winchester district

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Winchester district recorded 657 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 7.7% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Winchester district

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Winchester district recorded 549 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 6.4% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Winchester district

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Winchester district recorded 355 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Winchester district

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Winchester district recorded 286 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Winchester district

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Winchester district recorded 280 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 37% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Winchester district

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Winchester district recorded 219 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Winchester district

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Winchester district recorded 125 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 102% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Winchester district

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Winchester district recorded 42 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Winchester district

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Winchester district recorded 39 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Winchester district

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Winchester district recorded 33 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 52% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

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

34 areas within Winchester district, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. St Michael had the highest rate (180.0 per 1,000) and Waltham Chase the lowest (21.8). 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 Winchester district over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Winchester 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.

Winchester district has an estimated population of 135,632. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Winchester district sits in decile 8.0, less 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 Winchester district. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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