Crime in Hilsea: statistics, rates and trends
1,317 crimes were recorded in Hilsea in the 12 months to July 2026, 90.8 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 3% on the year before.
Table of Contents
1,317 crimes were recorded in Hilsea in the 12 months to July 2026, 90.8 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 3% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 619 reports (47% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Hilsea has the 1,469th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Hilsea | Portsmouth | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,317 | 26,665 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 90.8 | 124.4 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +3% | -1% | -1% |
| Population | 14,497 | 214,321 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Hilsea was highest in the year to July 2022 (1,935 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2019 (1,266). Over the whole period it fell 6%, 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 | 1,317 | 90.8 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,279 | 88.2 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,356 | 93.5 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,700 | 117.3 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,935 | 133.5 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,855 | 128.0 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,441 | 99.4 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,266 | 87.3 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,406 | 97.0 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 118 |
| June 2026 | 113 |
| May 2026 | 129 |
| April 2026 | 126 |
| March 2026 | 133 |
| February 2026 | 90 |
| January 2026 | 89 |
| December 2025 | 104 |
| November 2025 | 94 |
| October 2025 | 116 |
| September 2025 | 88 |
| August 2025 | 117 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Hilsea 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 possession of weapons.
The largest increases were in vehicle crime (+28%) and public order (+19%). The largest falls were in burglary (-42%) and other crime (-36%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 619 | 42.7 | 1.25 | +7% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 155 | 10.7 | 0.70 | -17% |
| Public order | 111 | 7.7 | 1.15 | +19% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 99 | 6.8 | 1.01 | +9% |
| Other theft | 79 | 5.4 | 0.85 | +8% |
| Vehicle crime | 73 | 5.0 | 1.02 | +28% |
| Shoplifting | 58 | 4.0 | 0.48 | +18% |
| Drugs | 34 | 2.3 | 0.72 | +0% |
| Burglary | 31 | 2.1 | 0.60 | -42% |
| Possession of weapons | 20 | 1.4 | 1.42 | +82% |
| Other crime | 14 | 1.0 | 0.46 | -36% |
| Bicycle theft | 13 | 0.9 | 1.09 | -32% |
| Robbery | 7 | 0.5 | 0.36 | +17% |
| Theft from the person | 4 | 0.3 | 0.16 | +0% |
Violence and sexual offences in Hilsea
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Hilsea recorded 619 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (42.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 47.0% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Hilsea
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Hilsea recorded 155 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 11.8% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Hilsea
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Hilsea recorded 111 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 8.4% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Hilsea
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Hilsea recorded 99 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 7.5% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Hilsea
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Hilsea recorded 79 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 6.0% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Hilsea
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Hilsea recorded 73 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 28% on the year before. It made up 5.5% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Hilsea
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Hilsea recorded 58 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 18% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Hilsea
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Hilsea recorded 34 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Hilsea
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Hilsea recorded 31 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 42% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Hilsea
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Hilsea recorded 20 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 up 82% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Hilsea
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Hilsea recorded 14 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 36% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Hilsea
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Hilsea recorded 13 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 32% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Hilsea
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Hilsea recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Hilsea
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Hilsea recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Hilsea, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Hilsea.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Hilsea |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copnor | 1,487 | 110.4 | +22% |
| Nelson | 2,264 | 141.1 | +55% |
| Cosham | 2,103 | 141.5 | +56% |
| Fratton | 1,500 | 91.9 | +1% |
| Baffins | 1,282 | 82.3 | -9% |
| Charles Dickens | 6,001 | 253.7 | +179% |
| Drayton and Farlington | 612 | 42.9 | -53% |
| Paulsgrove | 1,533 | 103.6 | +14% |
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 Hilsea over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 82 |
| On or near Parking Area | 61 |
| On or near Bus/Coach Station | 57 |
| On or near Farmside Gardens | 55 |
| On or near Fawley Road | 51 |
| On or near Horsea Lane | 43 |
| On or near Oriel Road | 43 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 43 |
| On or near Inhurst Road | 39 |
| On or near Rampart Gardens | 38 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Hilsea 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 | 479 | 36.4% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 375 | 28.5% |
| Not recorded | 155 | 11.8% |
| Under investigation | 96 | 7.3% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 59 | 4.5% |
| Local resolution | 45 | 3.4% |
| Status update unavailable | 45 | 3.4% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 27 | 2.1% |
| Court result unavailable | 17 | 1.3% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 7 | 0.5% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 5 | 0.4% |
| Offender given a caution | 5 | 0.4% |
Hilsea has an estimated population of 14,497. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Hilsea sits in decile 5.0, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Hilsea |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 19.0% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 64.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 16.7% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 62.0% |
| Social rented homes | 15.2% |
| Private rented homes | 22.6% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.0 |
Is Hilsea a safe place to live?
Hilsea recorded 90.8 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 Hilsea?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 619 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (155).
Is crime in Hilsea going up or down?
Recorded crime in Hilsea was up 3% on the year before: 1,317 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,279 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Hilsea?
Hilsea 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 Hilsea. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.