Crime in Southampton: statistics, rates and trends

34,149 crimes were recorded in Southampton in the 12 months to July 2026, 131.6 per 1,000 residents. That is higher 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 14,043 reports (41% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Southampton has the 120th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Southampton was highest in the year to July 2022 (39,931 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (34,149). Over the whole period it fell 10%, 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 Southampton 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 (+42%) and possession of weapons (+27%). The largest falls were in theft from the person (-29%) and bicycle theft (-14%).

Violence and sexual offences in Southampton

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Southampton recorded 14,043 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (54.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 41.1% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Southampton

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Southampton recorded 3,505 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 10.3% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Southampton

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Southampton recorded 3,434 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 10.1% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Southampton

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Southampton recorded 2,698 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 7.9% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Southampton

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Southampton recorded 2,159 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 6.3% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Southampton

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Southampton recorded 1,937 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Southampton

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Southampton recorded 1,641 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Southampton

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Southampton recorded 1,334 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 3.9% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Southampton

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Southampton recorded 1,203 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Southampton

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Southampton recorded 591 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 27% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Southampton

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Southampton recorded 528 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Southampton

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Southampton recorded 496 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 42% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Southampton

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Southampton recorded 358 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Southampton

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Southampton recorded 222 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

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

17 areas within Southampton, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Banister & Polygon had the highest rate (273.6 per 1,000) and Bassett the lowest (63.2). 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 Southampton over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Southampton 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.

Southampton has an estimated population of 259,424. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Southampton sits in decile 4.5, more 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 Southampton. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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