Crime in Cosham: statistics, rates and trends
2,103 crimes were recorded in Cosham in the 12 months to July 2026, 141.5 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 1% on the year before.
Table of Contents
2,103 crimes were recorded in Cosham in the 12 months to July 2026, 141.5 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 1% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 910 reports (43% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Cosham has the 516th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Cosham | Portsmouth | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 2,103 | 26,665 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 141.5 | 124.4 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -1% | -1% | -1% |
| Population | 14,857 | 214,321 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Cosham was highest in the year to July 2018 (2,528 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (2,040). Over the whole period it fell 17%, 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 | 2,103 | 141.5 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 2,126 | 143.1 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 2,040 | 137.3 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 2,364 | 159.1 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 2,201 | 148.1 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 2,192 | 147.5 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 2,286 | 153.9 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 2,235 | 150.4 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 2,528 | 170.2 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 227 |
| June 2026 | 209 |
| May 2026 | 204 |
| April 2026 | 215 |
| March 2026 | 202 |
| February 2026 | 154 |
| January 2026 | 161 |
| December 2025 | 125 |
| November 2025 | 155 |
| October 2025 | 147 |
| September 2025 | 146 |
| August 2025 | 158 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Cosham 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 (+50%) and shoplifting (+35%). The largest falls were in drugs (-31%) and other theft (-31%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 910 | 61.3 | 1.79 | +8% |
| Shoplifting | 335 | 22.5 | 2.72 | +35% |
| Public order | 172 | 11.6 | 1.74 | -20% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 168 | 11.3 | 0.74 | -9% |
| Other theft | 114 | 7.7 | 1.20 | -31% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 113 | 7.6 | 1.12 | -27% |
| Vehicle crime | 66 | 4.4 | 0.90 | +29% |
| Drugs | 53 | 3.6 | 1.09 | -31% |
| Burglary | 44 | 3.0 | 0.84 | -29% |
| Bicycle theft | 38 | 2.6 | 3.11 | -17% |
| Robbery | 33 | 2.2 | 1.64 | +50% |
| Other crime | 23 | 1.5 | 0.73 | -4% |
| Possession of weapons | 21 | 1.4 | 1.46 | -12% |
| Theft from the person | 13 | 0.9 | 0.52 | +8% |
Violence and sexual offences in Cosham
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Cosham recorded 910 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (61.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 43.3% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Cosham
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Cosham recorded 335 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (22.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 35% on the year before. It made up 15.9% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Cosham
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Cosham recorded 172 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 8.2% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Cosham
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Cosham recorded 168 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 8.0% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Cosham
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Cosham recorded 114 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 31% on the year before. It made up 5.4% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Cosham
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Cosham recorded 113 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 27% on the year before. It made up 5.4% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Cosham
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Cosham recorded 66 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 29% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Cosham
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Cosham recorded 53 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 31% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Cosham
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Cosham recorded 44 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Cosham
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Cosham recorded 38 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Cosham
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Cosham recorded 33 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 50% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Cosham
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Cosham recorded 23 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Cosham
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Cosham recorded 21 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Cosham
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Cosham recorded 13 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 8% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Cosham, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Cosham.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Cosham |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drayton and Farlington | 612 | 42.9 | -70% |
| Hilsea | 1,317 | 90.8 | -36% |
| Paulsgrove | 1,533 | 103.6 | -27% |
| Copnor | 1,487 | 110.4 | -22% |
| Nelson | 2,264 | 141.1 | -0% |
| Baffins | 1,282 | 82.3 | -42% |
| Fratton | 1,500 | 91.9 | -35% |
| Charles Dickens | 6,001 | 253.7 | +79% |
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 Cosham over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Spur Road | 210 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 156 |
| On or near Cavell Drive | 150 |
| On or near Parking Area | 109 |
| On or near Fourth Avenue | 97 |
| On or near Wembley Grove | 85 |
| On or near Cosham Interchange | 67 |
| On or near Aldroke Street | 66 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 63 |
| On or near Chatsworth Avenue | 62 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Cosham 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 | 724 | 34.4% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 579 | 27.5% |
| Under investigation | 265 | 12.6% |
| Not recorded | 168 | 8.0% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 125 | 5.9% |
| Local resolution | 73 | 3.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 64 | 3.0% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 36 | 1.7% |
| Court result unavailable | 25 | 1.2% |
| Offender given a caution | 14 | 0.7% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 14 | 0.7% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 12 | 0.6% |
Cosham has an estimated population of 14,857. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Cosham sits in decile 4.8, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Cosham |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 19.9% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 62.7% |
| Aged 65 and over | 17.5% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 62.0% |
| Social rented homes | 21.4% |
| Private rented homes | 16.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.8 |
Is Cosham a safe place to live?
Cosham recorded 141.5 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 Cosham?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 910 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by shoplifting (335).
Is crime in Cosham going up or down?
Recorded crime in Cosham was down 1% on the year before: 2,103 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 2,126 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Cosham?
Cosham 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 Cosham. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.