Crime in Petersfield: statistics, rates and trends

1,010 crimes were recorded in Petersfield in the 12 months to July 2026, 63.2 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 6% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 447 reports (44% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Petersfield has the 904th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Petersfield was highest in the year to July 2022 (1,275 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (1,010). Over the whole period it fell 18%, 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 Petersfield 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 drugs (+28%) and violence and sexual offences (+17%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-40%) and public order (-36%).

Violence and sexual offences in Petersfield

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Petersfield recorded 447 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (28.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 44.3% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Petersfield

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Petersfield recorded 108 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 10.7% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Petersfield

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Petersfield recorded 88 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 8.7% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Petersfield

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Petersfield recorded 85 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 40% on the year before. It made up 8.4% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Petersfield

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Petersfield recorded 76 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 36% on the year before. It made up 7.5% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Petersfield

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Petersfield recorded 53 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 5.2% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Petersfield

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Petersfield recorded 32 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 28% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Petersfield

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Petersfield recorded 31 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Petersfield

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Petersfield recorded 29 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Petersfield

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Petersfield recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 50% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Petersfield

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Petersfield recorded 17 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Petersfield

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Petersfield recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 29% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Petersfield

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Petersfield recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 47% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Petersfield

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Petersfield recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

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

4 areas within Petersfield, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Petersfield Causeway had the highest rate (76.0 per 1,000) and Petersfield Heath the lowest (26.3). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

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 Petersfield over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Petersfield 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.

Petersfield has an estimated population of 15,977. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Petersfield sits in decile 8.3, 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 Petersfield. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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