Crime in South East: statistics, rates and trends

784,242 crimes were recorded in South East in the 12 months to July 2026, 81.3 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than 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 289,730 reports (37% of the total).

Of the 9 regions covered by this site, South East has the 8th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in South East was highest in the year to July 2022 (840,497 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (784,242). Over the whole period it fell 5%, 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.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in South East 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. The largest increases were in robbery (+32%) and anti-social behaviour (+16%). The largest falls were in theft from the person (-22%).

Violence and sexual offences in South East

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. South East recorded 289,730 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (30.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 36.9% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in South East

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. South East recorded 123,168 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 15.7% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in South East

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. South East recorded 74,945 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 9.6% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in South East

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. South East recorded 59,243 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 7.6% of all crime in the area.

Public order in South East

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. South East recorded 55,963 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 7.1% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in South East

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. South East recorded 52,737 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 6.7% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in South East

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. South East recorded 34,105 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 4.3% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in South East

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. South East recorded 24,912 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in South East

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. South East recorded 23,274 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in South East

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. South East recorded 17,790 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in South East

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. South East recorded 8,828 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in South East

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. South East recorded 7,712 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 32% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in South East

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. South East recorded 7,284 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in South East

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. South East recorded 4,551 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the regions closest to South East, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to South East.

19 areas within South East, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Southampton had the highest rate (131.6 per 1,000) and Wokingham the lowest (44.8). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in South East 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.

South East has an estimated population of 9,642,942. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in South East sits in decile 6.6, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

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 South East. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.