Crime in Southwater: statistics, rates and trends

428 crimes were recorded in Southwater in the 12 months to July 2026, 36.4 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 9% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 147 reports (34% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Southwater has the 1,350th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Southwater was highest in the year to July 2021 (706 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (365). Over the whole period it rose 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 Southwater 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 anti-social behaviour (+85%).

The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-22%) and criminal damage and arson (-16%).

Violence and sexual offences in Southwater

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Southwater recorded 147 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 34.3% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Southwater

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Southwater recorded 109 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 85% on the year before. It made up 25.5% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Southwater

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Southwater recorded 46 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 10.7% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Southwater

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Southwater recorded 28 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 6.5% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Southwater

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Southwater recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 5.6% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Southwater

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Southwater recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Southwater

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Southwater recorded 17 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 21% on the year before. It made up 4.0% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Southwater

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Southwater recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 25% on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Southwater

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Southwater recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Southwater

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Southwater recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Southwater

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Southwater recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Southwater

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Southwater recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Southwater

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Southwater recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 75% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Southwater

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Southwater recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.

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

2 areas within Southwater, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Southwater South & Shipley had the highest rate (49.8 per 1,000) and Southwater North the lowest (28.2). 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 Southwater over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Southwater 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.

Southwater has an estimated population of 11,749. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Southwater sits in decile 9.4, 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 Southwater. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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