Crime in Woolston: statistics, rates and trends
1,709 crimes were recorded in Woolston in the 12 months to July 2026, 106.5 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and almost unchanged on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Woolston at a glance
- Crime trends in Woolston
- Types of crime in Woolston
- Woolston compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Woolston
- What happened after crimes were reported in Woolston
- Population and deprivation in Woolston
- Questions about crime in Woolston
- About this data
1,709 crimes were recorded in Woolston in the 12 months to July 2026, 106.5 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 838 reports (49% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Woolston has the 1,076th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Woolston | Southampton | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,709 | 34,149 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 106.5 | 131.6 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +0% | -1% | -1% |
| Population | 16,044 | 259,424 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Woolston was highest in the year to July 2021 (2,255 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (1,708). Over the whole period it fell 15%, 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 | 1,709 | 106.5 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,708 | 106.5 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,848 | 115.2 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,863 | 116.1 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 2,240 | 139.6 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 2,255 | 140.6 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 2,066 | 128.8 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,912 | 119.2 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 2,007 | 125.1 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 181 |
| June 2026 | 158 |
| May 2026 | 144 |
| April 2026 | 142 |
| March 2026 | 148 |
| February 2026 | 109 |
| January 2026 | 124 |
| December 2025 | 117 |
| November 2025 | 148 |
| October 2025 | 139 |
| September 2025 | 157 |
| August 2025 | 142 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Woolston 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, public order, possession of weapons.
The largest increases were in violence and sexual offences (+12%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-47%) and other theft (-29%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 838 | 52.2 | 1.53 | +12% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 222 | 13.8 | 0.90 | -9% |
| Public order | 140 | 8.7 | 1.31 | +9% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 134 | 8.4 | 1.23 | -4% |
| Other theft | 81 | 5.0 | 0.79 | -29% |
| Vehicle crime | 65 | 4.1 | 0.82 | -17% |
| Shoplifting | 48 | 3.0 | 0.36 | -47% |
| Burglary | 47 | 2.9 | 0.83 | -18% |
| Possession of weapons | 41 | 2.6 | 2.63 | +116% |
| Drugs | 34 | 2.1 | 0.65 | -13% |
| Other crime | 33 | 2.1 | 0.97 | +6% |
| Bicycle theft | 11 | 0.7 | 0.83 | +83% |
| Robbery | 8 | 0.5 | 0.37 | -27% |
| Theft from the person | 7 | 0.4 | 0.26 | +75% |
Violence and sexual offences in Woolston
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Woolston recorded 838 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (52.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 49.0% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Woolston
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Woolston recorded 222 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 13.0% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Woolston
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Woolston recorded 140 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 8.2% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Woolston
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Woolston recorded 134 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 7.8% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Woolston
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Woolston recorded 81 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Woolston
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Woolston recorded 65 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Woolston
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Woolston recorded 48 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 47% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Woolston
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Woolston recorded 47 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 18% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Woolston
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Woolston recorded 41 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 116% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Woolston
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Woolston recorded 34 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Woolston
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Woolston recorded 33 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Woolston
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Woolston recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 83% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Woolston
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Woolston recorded 8 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 down 27% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Woolston
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Woolston recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 75% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Woolston, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Woolston.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Woolston |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peartree | 1,516 | 107.6 | +1% |
| Sholing | 1,181 | 85.7 | -20% |
| Bargate | 4,731 | 261.6 | +146% |
| Thornhill | 1,982 | 138.9 | +30% |
| Bevois | 2,832 | 157.5 | +48% |
| Harefield | 1,306 | 99.5 | -7% |
| Banister & Polygon | 5,294 | 273.6 | +157% |
| Bitterne Park | 1,150 | 75.1 | -30% |
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 Woolston over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 125 |
| On or near International Way | 113 |
| On or near Capstan Road | 91 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 86 |
| On or near Parking Area | 80 |
| On or near Winchfield Close | 51 |
| On or near Riversdale Close | 47 |
| On or near Fullerton Close | 38 |
| On or near Ashton Walk | 34 |
| On or near Foundry Court | 30 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Woolston 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 | 640 | 37.4% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 419 | 24.5% |
| Not recorded | 222 | 13.0% |
| Under investigation | 175 | 10.2% |
| Local resolution | 70 | 4.1% |
| Status update unavailable | 68 | 4.0% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 49 | 2.9% |
| Court result unavailable | 15 | 0.9% |
| Offender given a caution | 15 | 0.9% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 14 | 0.8% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 12 | 0.7% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 8 | 0.5% |
Woolston has an estimated population of 16,044. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Woolston sits in decile 3.8, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Woolston |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 20.2% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 64.9% |
| Aged 65 and over | 14.9% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 49.8% |
| Social rented homes | 27.8% |
| Private rented homes | 22.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 3.8 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 29.2% |
Is Woolston a safe place to live?
Woolston recorded 106.5 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 Woolston?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 838 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (222).
Is crime in Woolston going up or down?
Recorded crime in Woolston was almost unchanged on the year before: 1,709 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,708 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Woolston?
Woolston 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 Woolston. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.