Crime Rate in Nelson: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Nelson

The total recorded crimes in Nelson, Portsmouth, UK in May 2025 are around 184 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Nelson crime rate of 1.07 per 1,000 population.

It's important to note that this crime data is based on the Geographic Boundry data provided by the ONS around Nelson, encompassing approximately 172,583 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during May were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (62) incidents (-32.61% decrease)
  • Shoplifting: (28) incidents (154.55% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (21) incidents (-19.23% decrease)
Nelson Crime Hotspots

The surrounding areas of below locations have emerged as crime hotspots,

  • Supermarket with total crimes: 10
  • Parking Area with total crimes: 10
  • Supermarket with total crimes: 9

How safe is Nelson?

To understand the safety of Nelson, we need to analyze Nelson crime statistics in relation to regional averages. Lets examine the available data and provide a balanced assessment.

  • Relative to Portsmouth:

    • In 2024, Nelson reported a higher crime volume than the Portsmouth average, with 2,185 crimes compared to 2,119. This indicates a potentially challenging safety environment in the region for the year. Furthermore, Nelson witnessed more crimes than 9 out of 13 other areas in the Portsmouth.

    • In 2023, Nelson experienced a greater number of crimes than the Portsmouth average, with 2,273 crimes compared to 2,060. This indicates a higher crime burden for the area in the region during this period. Furthermore, Nelson witnessed more crimes than 11 out of 13 other areas in the Portsmouth.

  • Overall Assessment:

    • Compared to other areas in Portsmouth, Nelson has a higher crime rate and is considered more dangerous in 2024.

    • The trend in crime rates suggests Negative changes in overall safety.

Nelson Crime Statstics

In May 2025 the Nelson has recorded 184 crimes with crime rate of 0.46 ranking 4th out of 13 in the Portsmouth, UK

In 2024, the total Nelson crimes were 2,185. The crime rate of Nelson in 2024 was 18.23 (year) or 1.52 (month) ranking it 5 dangerous area in the Portsmouth.

In 2023, the total crimes in Nelson were around 2,273 crimes with yearly crime rate of 17.14 (year) or 1.43 (month) ranking 3 most dangerous area in the Portsmouth.

AreaMay 202520242023
CrimesRank (Nelson)CrimesRank (Nelson)CrimesRank (Nelson)
Charles Dickens603 17,158 17,070 1
St Thomas246 22,733 22,795 2
Cosham186 32,294 32,218 4
St Jude166 52,283 42,101 5
Fratton105 111,704 61,657 6
Central Southsea148 61,561 91,562 9
Hilsea103 121,519 121,581 7
Paulsgrove131 71,694 71,570 8
Baffins113 101,589 81,527 10
Copnor128 81,553 101,364 11
Milton114 91,530 111,329 12
Eastney and Craneswater93 131,191 131,189 13
Drayton and Farlington51 14677 14603 14

Nelson Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (62 incidents), followed by Shoplifting also remained a significant concern (28 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (92 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (26 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (78 incidents) and then Public order showed a substantial number of incidents (19 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 68 incidents, and Public order was another prevalent crime category with 13 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (78 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (16 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 45 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 17 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (85 reports) and Public order incidents were also notably high (20 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (88 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (19 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (75 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Shoplifting (18 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (62 incidents) and then Shoplifting showed a substantial number of incidents (18 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 75 incidents, and Public order was another prevalent crime category with 22 incidents.

During June 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (116 reports) and Other theft incidents were also notably high (28 cases).

In May 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (83 incidents), followed by Public order also remained a significant concern (18 incidents).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 73 Burglary incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 5.62 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 11 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20258
April 20254
March 20255
February 20254
January 20257
December 20247
November 20249
October 202411
September 20245
August 20241
July 20241
June 20244
May 20247

A total of 91 Drugs incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 7.00 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 14 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20256
April 202514
March 20259
February 20253
January 20253
December 202410
November 20245
October 20243
September 20249
August 20244
July 20246
June 202412
May 20247

A total of 208 Public order incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 16.00 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 26 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202514
April 202521
March 202519
February 202513
January 20256
December 20248
November 202420
October 202416
September 202415
August 202410
July 202422
June 202426
May 202418

A total of 117 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 9.00 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 22 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202515
April 20256
March 20252
February 20256
January 20256
December 20243
November 20242
October 202411
September 20248
August 202416
July 202412
June 202422
May 20248

A total of 1007 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 77.46 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 116 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202562
April 202592
March 202578
February 202568
January 202578
December 202445
November 202485
October 202488
September 202475
August 202462
July 202475
June 2024116
May 202483

A total of 220 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 16.92 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 26 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202521
April 202526
March 202515
February 202513
January 202510
December 202417
November 202411
October 202419
September 202417
August 202415
July 202420
June 202422
May 202414

A total of 184 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 14.15 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 28 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202528
April 202511
March 202515
February 202510
January 202516
December 20249
November 202410
October 20246
September 202418
August 202418
July 20249
June 202424
May 202410

A total of 30 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 2.73 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 8 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20253
April 20251
March 20252
February 20251
January 20251
November 20241
September 20248
August 20242
July 20244
June 20246
May 20241

A total of 146 Other theft incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 11.23 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 28 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20257
April 202510
March 202510
February 20254
January 20256
December 202411
November 20243
October 202416
September 202411
August 202413
July 202412
June 202428
May 202415

A total of 161 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 12.38 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 19 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202513
April 202513
March 202513
February 20256
January 202514
December 20249
November 202419
October 202417
September 20249
August 202410
July 202413
June 202416
May 20249

A total of 39 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 3.55 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 10 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20253
April 20254
March 20254
February 20252
January 20251
December 20243
November 20242
October 20244
August 20245
July 20241
June 202410

A total of 22 Robbery incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 2.20 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 4 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20252
April 20251
January 20251
December 20241
November 20241
September 20243
August 20244
July 20242
June 20244
May 20243

A total of 39 Other crime incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 3.55 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 8 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20251
March 20253
February 20254
January 20252
December 20244
November 20242
October 20243
August 20243
July 20246
June 20248
May 20243

A total of 12 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 1.50 incidents per month. January 2025 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 3 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20251
April 20251
March 20251
January 20253
November 20242
September 20242
August 20241
May 20241

High Crime Locations Nelson in May 2025

A detailed breakdown of crime incidents by location within the Nelson postcode area is presented below.

1. Supermarket (Map)
Total10
Shoplifting7
Public order1
Vehicle crime1
Violence and sexual offences1
2. Parking Area (Map)
Total10
Violence and sexual offences4
Anti-social behaviour3
Criminal damage and arson1
Public order1
Shoplifting1
3. Supermarket (Map)
Total9
Shoplifting7
Violence and sexual offences2
4. Petrol Station (Map)
Total8
Shoplifting4
Anti-social behaviour2
Possession of weapons1
Violence and sexual offences1
5. Supermarket (Map)
Total8
Shoplifting4
Bicycle theft1
Drugs1
Vehicle crime1
Violence and sexual offences1
6. Mile End Road (Map)
Total7
Violence and sexual offences4
Criminal damage and arson1
Public order1
Robbery1
7. Basin Street (Map)
Total7
Criminal damage and arson2
Vehicle crime2
Violence and sexual offences2
Other theft1
8. Centaur Street (Map)
Total6
Vehicle crime3
Violence and sexual offences2
Anti-social behaviour1
9. Parking Area (Map)
Total6
Anti-social behaviour2
Shoplifting2
Criminal damage and arson1
Public order1
10. Smeaton Street (Map)
Total5
Violence and sexual offences3
Public order1
Vehicle crime1

  • Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2021. This data is licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
  • Contains Office for National Statistics data licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0
  • Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.