Crime in Romsey: statistics, rates and trends
1,081 crimes were recorded in Romsey in the 12 months to August 2026, 55.6 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and down 9% on the year before.
Table of Contents
Crime map
Violence and sexual offences (378), shoplifting (150) and anti-social behaviour (137) made up 62% of all recorded crime. Its crime rate ranks 1,045th of the 1,390 towns covered by this site (1 = highest), in the lowest quarter.
| Measure | Romsey | Test Valley | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to August 2026 | 1,081 | 8,243 | 5,618,064 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 55.6 | 61.0 | 96.7 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -9% | 0% | -1% |
| Population | 19,457 | 135,201 | 58,127,638 |
The year to August 2026 had the least recorded crime in Romsey of any year here (1,081 crimes). Between the years to August 2018 and 2026 it fell 17%, while across England and Wales it fell 4%.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to August 2026 | 1,081 | 55.6 | 96.7 |
| Year to August 2025 | 1,191 | 61.2 | 97.2 |
| Year to August 2024 | 1,274 | 65.5 | 97.9 |
| Year to August 2023 | 1,437 | 73.9 | n/a |
| Year to August 2022 | 1,652 | 84.9 | 102.0 |
| Year to August 2021 | 1,623 | 83.4 | 101.4 |
| Year to August 2020 | 1,375 | 70.7 | 102.7 |
| Year to August 2019 | 1,273 | 65.4 | 101.7 |
| Year to August 2018 | 1,298 | 66.7 | 100.8 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 112 |
| July 2026 | 133 |
| June 2026 | 98 |
| May 2026 | 104 |
| April 2026 | 81 |
| March 2026 | 97 |
| February 2026 | 56 |
| January 2026 | 78 |
| December 2025 | 86 |
| November 2025 | 87 |
| October 2025 | 72 |
| September 2025 | 77 |
No category with at least 20 crimes was notably above the England and Wales rate, and anti-social behaviour (54% below) and criminal damage and arson (54% below) were well below it. On the year before, burglary rose from 31 to 57 and vehicle crime rose from 42 to 58, while other theft fell from 124 to 62 and other crime fell from 39 to 28.
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 378 | 19.4 | 34.2 | -18% |
| Shoplifting | 150 | 7.7 | 8.5 | -4% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 137 | 7.0 | 15.4 | +10% |
| Public order | 86 | 4.4 | 6.7 | 0% |
| Other theft | 62 | 3.2 | 6.4 | -50% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 61 | 3.1 | 6.7 | -27% |
| Vehicle crime | 58 | 3.0 | 5.0 | +38% |
| Burglary | 57 | 2.9 | 3.6 | +84% |
| Other crime | 28 | 1.4 | 2.1 | -28% |
| Robbery | 20 | 1.0 | 1.4 | n/a |
| Drugs | 19 | 1.0 | 3.3 | n/a |
| Possession of weapons | 15 | 0.8 | 1.0 | n/a |
| Bicycle theft | 7 | 0.4 | 0.8 | n/a |
| Theft from the person | 3 | 0.2 | 1.7 | n/a |
What each category covers: crime categories.
5 of the 8 nearest towns have a higher crime rate than Romsey; the highest is Southampton (133.7 per 1,000) and the lowest Chandler's Ford (35.2).
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Romsey |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Baddesley | 285 | 40.6 | -27% |
| Rownhams and Nursling | 358 | 62.1 | +12% |
| Chandler's Ford | 1,067 | 35.2 | -37% |
| Totton | 1,810 | 69.3 | +25% |
| Eastleigh | 3,767 | 79.3 | +43% |
| Southampton | 34,688 | 133.7 | +141% |
| Marchwood | 297 | 50.7 | -9% |
| West End (Eastleigh) | 797 | 75.7 | +36% |
Of the 3 areas within Romsey, Romsey Abbey had the highest crime rate (84.0 per 1,000) and Romsey Tadburn the lowest (43.1).
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Romsey Abbey | Neighbourhood | 6,223 | 523 | 84.0 |
| Romsey Cupernham | Neighbourhood | 9,442 | 487 | 51.6 |
| Romsey Tadburn | Neighbourhood | 5,618 | 242 | 43.1 |
The 10 locations below account for 34% of the crime recorded in Romsey over the 12 months to August 2026; the most were recorded at “Supermarket” (115).
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 115 |
| On or near Orchard Lane | 38 |
| On or near Woodley Close | 34 |
| On or near Banning Street | 32 |
| On or near Parking Area | 32 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 32 |
| On or near Park/Open Space | 26 |
| On or near Priestlands | 21 |
| On or near Withers Road | 18 |
| On or near Freemantle Road | 16 |
Of the 944 crimes in Romsey with a recorded outcome, 41% ended with the investigation complete and no suspect identified, against 35% across England and Wales; 3.0% were awaiting a court outcome (England and Wales: 5.2%). The 137 anti-social behaviour reports have no outcome and are left out.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 386 | 40.9% | 35.3% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 285 | 30.2% | 34.5% |
| Under investigation | 111 | 11.8% | 11.5% |
| Local resolution | 32 | 3.4% | 3.1% |
| Status update unavailable | 29 | 3.1% | 4.7% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 28 | 3.0% | 5.2% |
| Court result unavailable | 28 | 3.0% | 2.5% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 21 | 2.2% | 1.3% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 9 | 1.0% | 0.5% |
| Offender given a caution | 7 | 0.7% | 0.6% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 6 | 0.6% | 0.3% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.2% | 0.3% |
Romsey has an estimated population of 19,457 (ONS, mid-2024). Compared with England and Wales it has an older population (29%, against 19%), fewer students (4.2%, against 7.9%) and more retired residents (31%, against 22%). On the England IoD 2025, the small areas (LSOAs) that make up Romsey average decile 8.1 (1 = most deprived), less deprived than average.
| Measure | Romsey | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 16.4% | 18.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 29.1% | 18.9% |
| Residents 16+ in work | 56.4% | 57.2% |
| Residents 16+ unemployed | 2.0% | 3.4% |
| Residents 16+ retired | 31.4% | 21.6% |
| Residents 16+ who are students | 4.2% | 7.9% |
| Residents 16+ with Level 4 qualifications or above (degree, HND and similar) | 39.2% | 33.8% |
| Residents 16+ with no qualifications | 14.4% | 18.2% |
| Households with no car or van | 14.3% | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 73.7% | 62.5% |
| Social rented homes | 12.4% | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 13.9% | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 8.1 | 5.5 (England) |
Is Romsey a safe place to live?
Romsey recorded 55.6 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to August 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and ranks 1,045th of the 1,390 towns on this site by crime rate (1 = highest).
What is the most common crime in Romsey?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 378 reports in the 12 months to August 2026, followed by shoplifting (150).
Is crime in Romsey going up or down?
Recorded crime in Romsey was down 9% on the year before: 1,081 crimes in the 12 months to August 2026 against 1,191 in the previous 12 months.
What is the population of Romsey?
About 19,457 people (ONS mid-2024 estimate), 29% of them aged 65 or over (England and Wales: 19%).
Which police force covers Romsey?
Romsey is policed by Hampshire.
Police-recorded crime from data.police.uk (September 2017 to August 2026), ONS population estimates and Census 2021. Definitions and limitations: methodology.