Crime in Nelson, Portsmouth: statistics, rates and trends
2,264 crimes were recorded in Nelson, Portsmouth in the 12 months to July 2026, 141.1 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 7% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Nelson, Portsmouth at a glance
- Crime trends in Nelson, Portsmouth
- Types of crime in Nelson, Portsmouth
- Nelson, Portsmouth compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Nelson, Portsmouth
- What happened after crimes were reported in Nelson, Portsmouth
- Population and deprivation in Nelson, Portsmouth
- Questions about crime in Nelson, Portsmouth
- About this data
2,264 crimes were recorded in Nelson, Portsmouth in the 12 months to July 2026, 141.1 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 7% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 992 reports (44% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Nelson, Portsmouth has the 519th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Nelson, Portsmouth | Portsmouth | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 2,264 | 26,665 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 141.1 | 124.4 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +7% | -1% | -1% |
| Population | 16,050 | 214,321 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Nelson, Portsmouth was highest in the year to July 2018 (3,157 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (2,048). 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 | 2,264 | 141.1 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 2,108 | 131.3 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 2,048 | 127.6 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 2,510 | 156.4 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 2,866 | 178.6 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 2,672 | 166.5 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 2,657 | 165.5 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 2,446 | 152.4 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 3,157 | 196.7 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 207 |
| June 2026 | 191 |
| May 2026 | 207 |
| April 2026 | 191 |
| March 2026 | 177 |
| February 2026 | 148 |
| January 2026 | 180 |
| December 2025 | 158 |
| November 2025 | 217 |
| October 2025 | 188 |
| September 2025 | 193 |
| August 2025 | 207 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Nelson, Portsmouth 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 other crime (+78%) and vehicle crime (+33%). The largest falls were in burglary (-39%) and drugs (-27%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 992 | 61.8 | 1.81 | +8% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 237 | 14.8 | 0.96 | +8% |
| Shoplifting | 235 | 14.6 | 1.77 | +31% |
| Public order | 182 | 11.3 | 1.71 | +8% |
| Other theft | 126 | 7.9 | 1.23 | +11% |
| Vehicle crime | 125 | 7.8 | 1.58 | +33% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 117 | 7.3 | 1.07 | -24% |
| Drugs | 55 | 3.4 | 1.05 | -27% |
| Burglary | 46 | 2.9 | 0.81 | -39% |
| Other crime | 41 | 2.6 | 1.21 | +78% |
| Possession of weapons | 35 | 2.2 | 2.25 | +6% |
| Robbery | 34 | 2.1 | 1.57 | +112% |
| Bicycle theft | 27 | 1.7 | 2.04 | +4% |
| Theft from the person | 12 | 0.7 | 0.44 | -20% |
Violence and sexual offences in Nelson, Portsmouth
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Nelson, Portsmouth recorded 992 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (61.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 43.8% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Nelson, Portsmouth
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Nelson, Portsmouth recorded 237 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (14.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 10.5% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Nelson, Portsmouth
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Nelson, Portsmouth recorded 235 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (14.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 31% on the year before. It made up 10.4% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Nelson, Portsmouth
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Nelson, Portsmouth recorded 182 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 8.0% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Nelson, Portsmouth
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Nelson, Portsmouth recorded 126 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 5.6% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Nelson, Portsmouth
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Nelson, Portsmouth recorded 125 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 5.5% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Nelson, Portsmouth
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Nelson, Portsmouth recorded 117 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 24% on the year before. It made up 5.2% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Nelson, Portsmouth
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Nelson, Portsmouth recorded 55 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 27% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Nelson, Portsmouth
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Nelson, Portsmouth recorded 46 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 39% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Nelson, Portsmouth
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Nelson, Portsmouth recorded 41 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 78% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Nelson, Portsmouth
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Nelson, Portsmouth recorded 35 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Nelson, Portsmouth
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Nelson, Portsmouth recorded 34 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 112% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Nelson, Portsmouth
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Nelson, Portsmouth recorded 27 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Nelson, Portsmouth
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Nelson, Portsmouth recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Nelson, Portsmouth, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Nelson, Portsmouth.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Nelson, Portsmouth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copnor | 1,487 | 110.4 | -22% |
| Hilsea | 1,317 | 90.8 | -36% |
| Fratton | 1,500 | 91.9 | -35% |
| Charles Dickens | 6,001 | 253.7 | +80% |
| Baffins | 1,282 | 82.3 | -42% |
| St Thomas | 2,442 | 160.3 | +14% |
| Central Southsea | 1,640 | 100.4 | -29% |
| Milton | 1,369 | 93.4 | -34% |
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 Nelson, Portsmouth over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 267 |
| On or near Parking Area | 195 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 127 |
| On or near Flying Bull Close | 85 |
| On or near Heathfield Road | 62 |
| On or near A2047 | 46 |
| On or near Estella Road | 46 |
| On or near Nessus Street | 46 |
| On or near Ashling Lane | 45 |
| On or near Smeaton Street | 44 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Nelson, Portsmouth 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 | 787 | 34.8% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 646 | 28.5% |
| Not recorded | 237 | 10.5% |
| Under investigation | 172 | 7.6% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 121 | 5.3% |
| Status update unavailable | 72 | 3.2% |
| Local resolution | 69 | 3.0% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 65 | 2.9% |
| Court result unavailable | 43 | 1.9% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 21 | 0.9% |
| Offender given a caution | 17 | 0.8% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 13 | 0.6% |
Nelson, Portsmouth has an estimated population of 16,050. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Nelson, Portsmouth sits in decile 2.5, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Nelson, Portsmouth |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 21.7% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 66.4% |
| Aged 65 and over | 12.0% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 46.9% |
| Social rented homes | 20.6% |
| Private rented homes | 32.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 2.5 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 19.8% |
Is Nelson, Portsmouth a safe place to live?
Nelson, Portsmouth recorded 141.1 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 Nelson, Portsmouth?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 992 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (237).
Is crime in Nelson, Portsmouth going up or down?
Recorded crime in Nelson, Portsmouth was up 7% on the year before: 2,264 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 2,108 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Nelson, Portsmouth?
Nelson, Portsmouth 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 Nelson, Portsmouth. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.