Crime in Portsmouth: statistics, rates and trends

27,419 crimes were recorded in Portsmouth in the 12 months to July 2026, 119.3 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 1% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 11,410 reports (42% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Portsmouth has the 184th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Portsmouth was highest in the year to July 2018 (34,001 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (27,259). Over the whole period it fell 19%, 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 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 robbery (+60%) and vehicle crime (+23%). The largest falls were in burglary (-28%) and criminal damage and arson (-15%).

Violence and sexual offences in Portsmouth

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Portsmouth recorded 11,410 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (49.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 41.6% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Portsmouth

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Portsmouth recorded 3,013 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 11.0% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Portsmouth

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Portsmouth recorded 2,955 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 10.8% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Portsmouth

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Portsmouth recorded 2,163 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 7.9% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Portsmouth

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Portsmouth recorded 1,609 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 5.9% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Portsmouth

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Portsmouth recorded 1,530 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 5.6% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Portsmouth

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Portsmouth recorded 1,315 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 23% on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Portsmouth

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Portsmouth recorded 996 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Portsmouth

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Portsmouth recorded 570 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 28% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Portsmouth

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Portsmouth recorded 442 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Portsmouth

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Portsmouth recorded 421 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Portsmouth

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Portsmouth recorded 414 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Portsmouth

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Portsmouth recorded 403 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 60% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Portsmouth

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Portsmouth recorded 178 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

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

16 areas within Portsmouth, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Charles Dickens had the highest rate (253.7 per 1,000) and Drayton and Farlington the lowest (42.9). 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 Portsmouth over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in 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.

Portsmouth has an estimated population of 229,853. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Portsmouth sits in decile 4.7, close to the middle. 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 Portsmouth. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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