Crime in Central Southsea: statistics, rates and trends
1,640 crimes were recorded in Central Southsea in the 12 months to July 2026, 100.4 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 9% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Central Southsea at a glance
- Crime trends in Central Southsea
- Types of crime in Central Southsea
- Central Southsea compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Central Southsea
- What happened after crimes were reported in Central Southsea
- Population and deprivation in Central Southsea
- Questions about crime in Central Southsea
- About this data
1,640 crimes were recorded in Central Southsea in the 12 months to July 2026, 100.4 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 9% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 577 reports (35% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Central Southsea has the 1,229th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Central Southsea | Portsmouth | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,640 | 26,665 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 100.4 | 124.4 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +9% | -1% | -1% |
| Population | 16,341 | 214,321 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Central Southsea was highest in the year to July 2021 (2,160 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (1,412). Over the whole period it fell 1%, 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 | 1,640 | 100.4 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,507 | 92.2 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,412 | 86.4 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,628 | 99.6 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,881 | 115.1 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 2,160 | 132.2 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,633 | 99.9 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,458 | 89.2 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,661 | 101.6 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 147 |
| June 2026 | 166 |
| May 2026 | 148 |
| April 2026 | 124 |
| March 2026 | 127 |
| February 2026 | 138 |
| January 2026 | 154 |
| December 2025 | 133 |
| November 2025 | 101 |
| October 2025 | 127 |
| September 2025 | 130 |
| August 2025 | 145 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Central Southsea 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 shoplifting, other theft, vehicle crime.
The largest increases were in anti-social behaviour (+50%) and drugs (+19%). The largest falls were in criminal damage and arson (-28%) and burglary (-20%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 577 | 35.3 | 1.03 | +6% |
| Shoplifting | 249 | 15.2 | 1.84 | +12% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 171 | 10.5 | 0.68 | +50% |
| Other theft | 131 | 8.0 | 1.25 | +12% |
| Vehicle crime | 115 | 7.0 | 1.43 | +6% |
| Public order | 114 | 7.0 | 1.05 | -1% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 68 | 4.2 | 0.61 | -28% |
| Drugs | 68 | 4.2 | 1.27 | +19% |
| Burglary | 37 | 2.3 | 0.64 | -20% |
| Robbery | 28 | 1.7 | 1.27 | +75% |
| Bicycle theft | 25 | 1.5 | 1.86 | +19% |
| Other crime | 22 | 1.3 | 0.64 | -8% |
| Possession of weapons | 21 | 1.3 | 1.32 | +24% |
| Theft from the person | 14 | 0.9 | 0.51 | +27% |
Violence and sexual offences in Central Southsea
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Central Southsea recorded 577 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (35.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 35.2% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Central Southsea
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Central Southsea recorded 249 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 15.2% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Central Southsea
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Central Southsea recorded 171 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 50% on the year before. It made up 10.4% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Central Southsea
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Central Southsea recorded 131 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 8.0% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Central Southsea
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Central Southsea recorded 115 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 7.0% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Central Southsea
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Central Southsea recorded 114 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 7.0% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Central Southsea
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Central Southsea recorded 68 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 28% on the year before. It made up 4.1% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Central Southsea
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Central Southsea recorded 68 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 4.1% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Central Southsea
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Central Southsea recorded 37 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Central Southsea
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Central Southsea recorded 28 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 75% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Central Southsea
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Central Southsea recorded 25 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Central Southsea
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Central Southsea recorded 22 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 8% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Central Southsea
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Central Southsea recorded 21 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 24% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Central Southsea
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Central Southsea recorded 14 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 up 27% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Central Southsea, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Central Southsea.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Central Southsea |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastney and Craneswater | 1,139 | 90.6 | -10% |
| Milton | 1,369 | 93.4 | -7% |
| St Jude | 1,976 | 164.4 | +64% |
| St Thomas | 2,442 | 160.3 | +60% |
| Fratton | 1,500 | 91.9 | -8% |
| Charles Dickens | 6,001 | 253.7 | +153% |
| Baffins | 1,282 | 82.3 | -18% |
| Nelson | 2,264 | 141.1 | +41% |
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 Central Southsea over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 393 |
| On or near Albert Road | 84 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 78 |
| On or near B2154 | 72 |
| On or near Wyndcliffe Road | 71 |
| On or near Eton Road | 52 |
| On or near Beatrice Road | 47 |
| On or near Theatre/Concert Hall | 39 |
| On or near Cleveland Road | 38 |
| On or near Manners Lane | 37 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Central Southsea 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 | 561 | 34.2% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 522 | 31.8% |
| Not recorded | 171 | 10.4% |
| Under investigation | 127 | 7.7% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 73 | 4.5% |
| Local resolution | 51 | 3.1% |
| Court result unavailable | 43 | 2.6% |
| Status update unavailable | 37 | 2.3% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 21 | 1.3% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 19 | 1.2% |
| Offender given a caution | 10 | 0.6% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 5 | 0.3% |
Central Southsea has an estimated population of 16,341. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Central Southsea sits in decile 5.2, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Central Southsea |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 15.1% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 75.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 9.5% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 48.1% |
| Social rented homes | 6.8% |
| Private rented homes | 45.1% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.2 |
Is Central Southsea a safe place to live?
Central Southsea recorded 100.4 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, close to 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 Central Southsea?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 577 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by shoplifting (249).
Is crime in Central Southsea going up or down?
Recorded crime in Central Southsea was up 9% on the year before: 1,640 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,507 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Central Southsea?
Central Southsea 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 Central Southsea. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.