Crime Rate in Southampton: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Southampton

The total recorded crimes in Southampton, UK in May 2025 are around 4,116 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Southampton crime rate of 16.54 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 Southampton, encompassing approximately 248,920 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during May were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (1479) incidents (3.72% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (548) incidents (16.60% increase)
  • Shoplifting: (539) incidents (7.58% increase)
Southampton Crime Hotspots

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

  • Shopping Area with total crimes: 120
  • Regent'S Grove with total crimes: 84
  • Waterloo Terrace with total crimes: 84

Southampton Police Info:

Hampshire Constabulary

Southampton Crime Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, Bargate (880 crimes), and the safest, Bitterne Park (88 crimes), is 792 crimes. This substantial difference indicates a significant disparity in safety across Southampton.

Similarly, the area of City Centre & The Polygon (666 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Highfield & University (24 crimes), with a difference of 642 crimes. This substantial difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Southampton.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Bargate880
Bevois724
Shirley334
Millbrook318
Redbridge245

Safest Wards:

Coxford138
Portswood131
Sholing97
Bassett93
Bitterne Park88

Most Dangerous Areas:

City Centre & The Polygon666
Newtown & Nicholstown529
Shirley Warren235
Shirley South222
Bevois Town195

Safest Areas:

Bitterne West48
Sholing West47
Townhill Park40
Bassett Green32
Highfield & University24

Southampton Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (1479 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (548 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (1426 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Shoplifting (501 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (1456 incidents) and then Shoplifting showed a substantial number of incidents (554 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 1405 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 540 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (1546 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (505 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 1456 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 380 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (1455 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (463 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (1437 incidents), followed by Shoplifting also remained a significant concern (614 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (1501 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Shoplifting (385 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (1496 incidents) and then Shoplifting showed a substantial number of incidents (469 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 1508 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 468 incidents.

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 506 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 46.00 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 76 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202535
April 202544
March 202541
February 202536
January 202541
December 202457
November 202476
October 202455
September 202443
August 202429
July 202449

A total of 1583 Drugs incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 143.91 incidents per month. January 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 184 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025125
April 2025150
March 2025134
February 2025114
January 2025184
December 2024130
November 2024146
October 2024167
September 2024138
August 2024131
July 2024164

A total of 2124 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 193.09 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 258 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025162
April 2025145
March 2025169
February 2025170
January 2025141
December 2024220
November 2024209
October 2024190
September 2024216
August 2024258
July 2024244

A total of 3583 Public order incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 325.73 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 410 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025337
April 2025322
March 2025324
February 2025343
January 2025299
December 2024284
November 2024278
October 2024346
September 2024312
August 2024410
July 2024328

A total of 535 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 48.64 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 71 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202557
April 202533
March 202545
February 202525
January 202538
December 202450
November 202440
October 202467
September 202450
August 202459
July 202471

A total of 378 Robbery incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 34.36 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 54 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202549
April 202525
March 202542
February 202531
January 202525
December 202429
November 202432
October 202430
September 202426
August 202454
July 202435

A total of 16165 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 1469.55 incidents per month. January 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 1546 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20251479
April 20251426
March 20251456
February 20251405
January 20251546
December 20241456
November 20241455
October 20241437
September 20241501
August 20241496
July 20241508

A total of 4338 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 394.36 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 548 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025548
April 2025470
March 2025444
February 2025375
January 2025362
December 2024300
November 2024371
October 2024345
September 2024311
August 2024424
July 2024388

A total of 745 Other crime incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 67.73 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 83 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202545
April 202558
March 202555
February 202569
January 202571
December 202477
November 202464
October 202483
September 202477
August 202473
July 202473

A total of 2615 Other theft incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 237.73 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 281 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025217
April 2025225
March 2025191
February 2025180
January 2025252
December 2024281
November 2024249
October 2024273
September 2024240
August 2024249
July 2024258

A total of 2898 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 263.45 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 322 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025322
April 2025264
March 2025275
February 2025224
January 2025269
December 2024246
November 2024260
October 2024253
September 2024262
August 2024276
July 2024247

A total of 1705 Burglary incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 155.00 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 206 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025129
April 2025140
March 2025170
February 2025179
January 2025127
December 2024141
November 2024131
October 2024135
September 2024174
August 2024173
July 2024206

A total of 5418 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 492.55 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 614 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025539
April 2025501
March 2025554
February 2025540
January 2025505
December 2024380
November 2024463
October 2024614
September 2024385
August 2024469
July 2024468

A total of 602 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 54.73 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 72 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202572
April 202560
March 202548
February 202544
January 202544
December 202450
November 202451
October 202449
September 202461
August 202461
July 202462

High Crime Locations Southampton in May 2025

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

1. Shopping Area (Map)
Total120
Shoplifting114
Other theft3
Burglary3
2. Regent'S Grove (Map)
Total84
Anti-social behaviour36
Shoplifting15
Public order12
Criminal damage and arson12
Violence and sexual offences9
3. Waterloo Terrace (Map)
Total84
Violence and sexual offences39
Anti-social behaviour24
Theft from the person6
Other theft6
Bicycle theft6
Drugs3
4. Parking Area (Map)
Total75
Shoplifting21
Violence and sexual offences18
Public order12
Other theft9
Anti-social behaviour6
Robbery3
Other crime3
Drugs3
5. Nightclub (Map)
Total63
Anti-social behaviour21
Violence and sexual offences15
Public order9
Possession of weapons6
Criminal damage and arson6
Theft from the person3
Other theft3
6. Shirley High Street (Map)
Total51
Shoplifting48
Public order3

  • 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.