Crime in Charles Dickens: statistics, rates and trends
6,001 crimes were recorded in Charles Dickens in the 12 months to July 2026, 253.7 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 5% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Charles Dickens at a glance
- Crime trends in Charles Dickens
- Types of crime in Charles Dickens
- Charles Dickens compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Charles Dickens
- What happened after crimes were reported in Charles Dickens
- Population and deprivation in Charles Dickens
- Questions about crime in Charles Dickens
- About this data
6,001 crimes were recorded in Charles Dickens in the 12 months to July 2026, 253.7 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 5% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 2,329 reports (39% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Charles Dickens has the 116th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Charles Dickens | Portsmouth | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 6,001 | 26,665 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 253.7 | 124.4 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -5% | -1% | -1% |
| Population | 23,655 | 214,321 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Charles Dickens was highest in the year to July 2018 (8,315 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (6,001). Over the whole period it fell 28%, 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 | 6,001 | 253.7 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 6,347 | 268.3 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 6,361 | 268.9 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 7,242 | 306.2 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 7,417 | 313.5 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 6,103 | 258.0 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 6,477 | 273.8 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 6,484 | 274.1 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 8,315 | 351.5 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 593 |
| June 2026 | 514 |
| May 2026 | 561 |
| April 2026 | 466 |
| March 2026 | 526 |
| February 2026 | 377 |
| January 2026 | 414 |
| December 2025 | 429 |
| November 2025 | 532 |
| October 2025 | 512 |
| September 2025 | 555 |
| August 2025 | 522 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Charles Dickens 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, anti-social behaviour, shoplifting.
The largest increases were in robbery (+84%) and vehicle crime (+62%). The largest falls were in bicycle theft (-28%) and burglary (-24%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 2,329 | 98.5 | 2.88 | -3% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 718 | 30.4 | 1.98 | -4% |
| Shoplifting | 666 | 28.2 | 3.40 | -19% |
| Public order | 516 | 21.8 | 3.28 | -14% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 344 | 14.5 | 2.14 | -11% |
| Other theft | 303 | 12.8 | 2.00 | -10% |
| Drugs | 279 | 11.8 | 3.61 | +4% |
| Vehicle crime | 215 | 9.1 | 1.85 | +62% |
| Robbery | 127 | 5.4 | 3.97 | +84% |
| Possession of weapons | 124 | 5.2 | 5.40 | -2% |
| Bicycle theft | 120 | 5.1 | 6.16 | -28% |
| Burglary | 114 | 4.8 | 1.36 | -24% |
| Other crime | 82 | 3.5 | 1.64 | -10% |
| Theft from the person | 64 | 2.7 | 1.60 | +8% |
Violence and sexual offences in Charles Dickens
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Charles Dickens recorded 2,329 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (98.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 38.8% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Charles Dickens
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Charles Dickens recorded 718 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (30.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 12.0% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Charles Dickens
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Charles Dickens recorded 666 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (28.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 11.1% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Charles Dickens
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Charles Dickens recorded 516 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (21.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 8.6% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Charles Dickens
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Charles Dickens recorded 344 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (14.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Charles Dickens
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Charles Dickens recorded 303 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Charles Dickens
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Charles Dickens recorded 279 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 4.6% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Charles Dickens
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Charles Dickens recorded 215 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 62% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Charles Dickens
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Charles Dickens recorded 127 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 84% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Charles Dickens
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Charles Dickens recorded 124 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Charles Dickens
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Charles Dickens recorded 120 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 28% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Charles Dickens
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Charles Dickens recorded 114 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 24% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Charles Dickens
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Charles Dickens recorded 82 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Charles Dickens
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Charles Dickens recorded 64 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Charles Dickens, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Charles Dickens.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Charles Dickens |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Thomas | 2,442 | 160.3 | -37% |
| Fratton | 1,500 | 91.9 | -64% |
| Central Southsea | 1,640 | 100.4 | -60% |
| St Jude | 1,976 | 164.4 | -35% |
| Nelson | 2,264 | 141.1 | -44% |
| Baffins | 1,282 | 82.3 | -68% |
| Milton | 1,369 | 93.4 | -63% |
| Eastney and Craneswater | 1,139 | 90.6 | -64% |
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 Charles Dickens over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 804 |
| On or near Guildhall Walk | 348 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 273 |
| On or near Buckingham Street | 211 |
| On or near Kingswell Street | 162 |
| On or near Supermarket | 147 |
| On or near Jacob'S Street | 125 |
| On or near Surrey Street | 116 |
| On or near Ordnance Row | 108 |
| On or near Cumberland Road | 101 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Charles Dickens 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 | 1,911 | 31.8% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 1,741 | 29.0% |
| Not recorded | 718 | 12.0% |
| Under investigation | 531 | 8.8% |
| Local resolution | 299 | 5.0% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 299 | 5.0% |
| Status update unavailable | 167 | 2.8% |
| Court result unavailable | 116 | 1.9% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 75 | 1.2% |
| Offender given a caution | 49 | 0.8% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 47 | 0.8% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 45 | 0.7% |
Charles Dickens has an estimated population of 23,655. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Charles Dickens sits in decile 1.7, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Charles Dickens |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.4% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 73.2% |
| Aged 65 and over | 9.5% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 15.6% |
| Social rented homes | 63.8% |
| Private rented homes | 19.9% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 1.7 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 58.4% |
Is Charles Dickens a safe place to live?
Charles Dickens recorded 253.7 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, higher 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 Charles Dickens?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 2,329 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (718).
Is crime in Charles Dickens going up or down?
Recorded crime in Charles Dickens was down 5% on the year before: 6,001 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 6,347 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Charles Dickens?
Charles Dickens 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 Charles Dickens. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.