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Crime in Pompey

+39% against England 15 years of police records

Portsmouth records more crime per person than England, and less than Southampton. The biggest types are violence and sexual offences, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour.

112.7crimes per 1,000 residentsAug 2025 to Jul 2026
118.5in SouthamptonEngland 81.0
+29%change in ten yearsEngland +24%
2,842anti-social behaviour incidents reported to policeCounted separately from crime
Report or get helpWhat the types meanWho deals with itCompare any area

Over 15 years

Every crime type, side by side

Per 1,000 residents, latest 12 monthsAug 2025 to Jul 2026
Violence and sexual offences
Anti-social behaviour
Criminal damage and arson
Shoplifting
Other theft
Burglary
Vehicle crime
Public order
Drugs
Other crime
Possession of weapons
Robbery
Theft from the person
Bicycle theft
PortsmouthSouthamptonEngland

Source: data.police.uk (Home Office and police forces), via UK Stat Pack · Aug 2011 to Jul 2026

Checked 27 September 2026

Excludes british transport police records; fraud (not published on police.uk); records with no location. Rates use ONS mid-year population estimates.

The numbers, with ten-year change
Crime typePortsmouth10 yrsSouthamptonEngland
All crime112.7+29%118.581.0
Violence and sexual offences52.4+136%54.234.0
Anti-social behaviour13.4−73%13.215.3
Criminal damage and arson7.3−44%8.36.7
Shoplifting13.9+23%13.58.3
Other theft7.0−11%7.56.5
Burglary2.6−54%4.63.6
Vehicle crime6.1−17%6.35.0
Public order10.0+9%10.46.5
Drugs4.7+68%5.13.3
Other crime1.9+26%2.02.1
Possession of weapons2.0+146%2.31.0
Robbery1.9+248%1.91.4
Theft from the person0.8−26%0.91.8
Bicycle theft2.0−52%1.40.8

Ten-year change compares Aug 2015 to Jul 2016. "Not published" means no comparable figure: some types were split out in May 2013.

Ward by ward

Crime rate by wardAll crime per 1,000 residents, Aug 2025 to Jul 2026
Lower rateHigher

Source: data.police.uk (Home Office and police forces), via UK Stat Pack · Aug 2011 to Jul 2026

Checked 27 September 2026

Ward rates use Census 2021 populations. City-centre wards (Charles Dickens, St Thomas) include shopping and night-time areas, so their rates reflect visitors as well as residents.

Highest to lowestAll crime per 1,000 residents
Charles Dickens240.7
St Jude143.2
St Thomas134.3
Nelson134.0
Cosham133.9
Paulsgrove96.5
Copnor91.3
Fratton89.2
Baffins89.0
Central Southsea86.9
Milton86.5
Hilsea84.1
Eastney and Craneswater82.4
Drayton and Farlington40.4

Dark bars: above the Portsmouth rate.

Source: data.police.uk (Home Office and police forces), via UK Stat Pack · Aug 2011 to Jul 2026

Checked 27 September 2026

Excludes british transport police records; fraud (not published on police.uk); records with no location. Rates use ONS mid-year population estimates.

Your ward against Portsmouth, Southampton and England

89.0crimes per 1,000 residents in BaffinsPortsmouth 112.7 · England 81.0
1,336crimes recorded in the wardAug 2025 to Jul 2026
+56%change in ten yearsPortsmouth +29%
120anti-social behaviour incidentsReported to police
Baffins: every crime typePer 1,000 residents, latest 12 months. Ward rates use Census 2021 populations.
All crime
Violence and sexual offences
Anti-social behaviour
Criminal damage and arson
Shoplifting
Other theft
Burglary
Vehicle crime
Public order
Drugs
Other crime
Possession of weapons
Robbery
Theft from the person
Bicycle theft
BaffinsPortsmouthSouthampton

Source: data.police.uk (Home Office and police forces), via UK Stat Pack · Aug 2011 to Jul 2026

Checked 27 September 2026

Excludes british transport police records; fraud (not published on police.uk); records with no location. Rates use ONS mid-year population estimates.

Crime typeBaffinsPortsmouthSouthamptonEngland
All crime89.0112.7118.581.0
Violence and sexual offences44.552.454.234.0
Anti-social behaviour8.013.413.215.3
Criminal damage and arson5.07.38.36.7
Shoplifting11.513.913.58.3
Other theft5.37.07.56.5
Burglary2.32.64.63.6
Vehicle crime5.96.16.35.0
Public order4.910.010.46.5
Drugs2.74.75.13.3
Other crime1.91.92.02.1
Possession of weapons2.02.02.31.0
Robbery0.91.91.91.4
Theft from the person0.80.80.91.8
Bicycle theft1.42.01.40.8

Baffins: councillors, MP and more →

What each crime type means

Every recorded crime goes into one of 14 types. Each covers a wide range of offences.

Violence and sexual offences

Any offence where someone is hurt, threatened, harassed or sexually assaulted. It runs from a push in a pub to murder, so the headline number is dominated by less serious violence and harassment.

For example:

  • A punch or push that causes no injury (common assault)
  • An assault that causes a broken bone or needs stitches (actual or grievous bodily harm)
  • Repeated unwanted messages or following someone (harassment, stalking)
  • Domestic abuse involving violence or threats
  • Rape and other sexual assaults
  • Threats to kill; causing death by dangerous driving

Not counted here: Robbery: using force to steal is its own category. Fighting in the street with no one reporting an injury is often recorded as public order (affray).

Official definition: "Includes offences against the person such as common assaults, Grievous Bodily Harm and sexual offences." Until April 2013 police.uk called this "Violent crime". The series here joins the two. Forces recorded crime much more thoroughly after the 2014 national inspection of crime recording, and new offences (such as coercive control, stalking and harassment) were brought into the count. Both pushed recorded violence up without any matching rise in the Crime Survey.

Anti-social behaviour (incidents, not crimes)

Behaviour that causes harassment, alarm or distress but usually is not a crime on its own. These are incidents, not crimes, so they are counted separately from "total crime".

For example:

  • Rowdy or drunken behaviour in the street
  • Neighbours who keep making excessive noise
  • Groups intimidating passers-by
  • Nuisance motorbikes or cars
  • Littering, graffiti or fly-posting reported to the police

Not counted here: Fly-tipping and most noise complaints made to the council: police.uk only shows ASB reported to the police. Criminal damage, threats or assault: these are crimes and are counted in their own categories.

Official definition: "Includes personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour." Only ASB reported to the police. Forces changed how they record ASB at different times, so a comparison between forces is weaker here than for crimes.

Criminal damage and arson

Deliberately damaging or destroying someone else's property, including by setting fire to it.

For example:

  • Keying a car or smashing its window (when nothing is stolen)
  • Kicking in a front door or breaking a shop window
  • Graffiti on a building that has to be cleaned off
  • Setting fire to a bin, a car or a building

Not counted here: A window broken to steal from a car or home is recorded as vehicle crime or burglary.

Official definition: "Includes damage to buildings and vehicles and deliberate damage by fire."

Shoplifting

Stealing goods from a shop, supermarket or market stall.

For example:

  • Taking goods out of a shop without paying
  • Theft from a market stall
  • Organised gangs stealing to order from retailers

Not counted here: Leaving a petrol station without paying counts as "other theft" (making off without payment). Threatening or assaulting staff while stealing is robbery or assault.

Official definition: "Includes theft from shops or stalls." Recorded shoplifting depends heavily on whether shops report it. Retailer and police campaigns to increase reporting can raise the numbers without any change in how much theft happens.

Other theft

Thefts that do not fit anywhere else: things taken from gardens, sheds or workplaces, or not paying for fuel or a meal.

For example:

  • Driving off from a petrol station without paying
  • An employee stealing from their employer
  • Parcels stolen from a doorstep, or tools from a shed or building site
  • Blackmail

Not counted here: Fraud and scams are not in police.uk at all; they go to Report Fraud.

Official definition: "Includes theft by an employee, blackmail and making off without payment." Before May 2013 this category also included bicycle theft and theft from the person. The series here starts in May 2013 so it compares like with like.

Burglary

Going into a home, shed, garage, shop or other building without permission to steal, or to cause damage or harm.

For example:

  • A break-in at a house or flat, whether or not anything is taken
  • Theft from a garage or shed that belongs to a home
  • A break-in at a shop, school or office
  • Aggravated burglary: breaking in while carrying a weapon

Not counted here: Theft by someone who was invited in (for example a visitor) is "other theft", not burglary.

Official definition: "Includes offences where a person enters a house or other building with the intention of stealing."

Vehicle crime

Stealing a vehicle, stealing things from inside one, or tampering with it.

For example:

  • A stolen car, van or motorbike
  • A laptop or bag taken from a parked car
  • Catalytic converter theft
  • Trying car door handles to find unlocked vehicles

Not counted here: Bicycles have their own category. Damaging a car without stealing anything is criminal damage.

Official definition: "Includes theft from or of a vehicle or interference with a vehicle."

Public order

Threatening or abusive behaviour in public that frightens or distresses people, including hate-motivated abuse.

For example:

  • Shouting threats or abuse at someone in the street
  • A fight in public that makes others fear for their safety (affray)
  • Racially or religiously aggravated abuse
  • Breaching a court order, such as a criminal behaviour order

Not counted here: If someone is actually assaulted, it is recorded as violence.

Official definition: "Includes offences which cause fear, alarm or distress." Before May 2013 police.uk combined this with possession of weapons as "Public disorder and weapons". Separate series start in May 2013.

Drugs

Having, selling or growing illegal drugs. Most drug offences are found by the police, for example in stop and search, rather than reported by victims.

For example:

  • Being caught with cannabis or cocaine for personal use
  • Dealing drugs, including "county lines" supply
  • A cannabis factory in a house

Not counted here: Drug-driving is a motoring offence and is not in police.uk.

Official definition: "Includes offences related to possession, supply and production." The count mostly reflects how hard police look (stop and search, operations), so a rise can mean more enforcement rather than more drugs.

Other crime

Crimes that do not fit the other 13 categories.

For example:

  • Forging a document or a drug prescription
  • Lying under oath in court (perjury)
  • Escaping from lawful custody

Not counted here: Fraud is not in police.uk.

Official definition: "Includes forgery, perjury and other miscellaneous crime."

Possession of weapons

Carrying a knife, gun or other weapon without a good reason, whether or not it is used.

For example:

  • Carrying a knife or bladed article in a public place or at school
  • Having an offensive weapon such as a knuckleduster
  • Having an illegal firearm, or an imitation one in public

Not counted here: If a weapon is used to hurt or threaten someone, the offence is violence or robbery.

Official definition: "Includes possession of a weapon, such as a firearm or knife." Like drugs, most weapons offences are found by police activity such as stop and search. Separate series start in May 2013.

Robbery

Stealing from someone using force or the threat of force: a mugging or a hold-up.

For example:

  • A phone snatched with a threat or a shove
  • A street mugging
  • An armed hold-up at a shop

Not counted here: A phone taken from a pocket with no force or threat is "theft from the person".

Official definition: "Includes offences where a person uses force or threat of force to steal."

Theft from the person

Pickpocketing and snatch thefts where no force or threat is used.

For example:

  • A wallet pickpocketed in a crowd
  • A phone snatched from someone's hand by a passing cyclist, with no threat

Not counted here: Any force or threat makes it robbery.

Official definition: "Includes crimes that involve theft directly from the victim (including handbag, wallet, cash, mobile phones) but without the use or threat of physical force." Counted inside "other theft" until May 2013; separate series start then.

Bicycle theft

Stealing a bicycle, or riding off on one without permission.

For example:

  • A locked bike stolen from a rack
  • A bike taken from a front garden

Not counted here: E-scooters and motorbikes are vehicle crime.

Official definition: "Includes the taking without consent or theft of a pedal cycle." Counted inside "other theft" until May 2013; separate series start then. Many bike thefts are never reported.

Who is responsible

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary records and investigates almost every type. The council leads on anti-social behaviour. Who does what →

Crime typeLeadsAlso involved
Violence and sexual offencesHampshire and Isle of Wight ConstabularyCPS Wessex: Decides charges in more serious cases and prosecutes
Council-commissioned domestic abuse services and the MARAC: Support, refuge and multi-agency risk planning for victims of domestic abuse
The Treetops Centre, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight sexual assault referral centre (in Portsmouth): Forensic examination and support after sexual assault, with or without police involvement
Anti-social behaviourPortsmouth City Council, antisocial behaviour teamHampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary: Records, investigates and charges or refers to the CPS
Portsmouth City Council housing (council tenants) and housing associations: Tenancy enforcement against tenants causing ASB
ASB case review: Repeated reports can trigger a joint review by police, council and partners
Criminal damage and arsonHampshire and Isle of Wight ConstabularyHampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service: Attends and investigates deliberate fires; arson reduction with the police
Portsmouth City Council: Graffiti removal on public property, CCTV
ShopliftingHampshire and Isle of Wight ConstabularyRetailers: Decide whether to report and provide CCTV
CPS Wessex: Decides charges in more serious cases and prosecutes
Other theftHampshire and Isle of Wight ConstabularyCPS Wessex: Decides charges in more serious cases and prosecutes
BurglaryHampshire and Isle of Wight ConstabularyCPS Wessex: Decides charges in more serious cases and prosecutes
Vehicle crimeHampshire and Isle of Wight ConstabularyCPS Wessex: Decides charges in more serious cases and prosecutes
Public orderHampshire and Isle of Wight ConstabularyPortsmouth City Council licensing: Can review the licence of venues linked to disorder
Safer Portsmouth Partnership: The city's community safety partnership: council, police, fire, probation and health agree the Community Safety Plan 2025-28
DrugsHampshire and Isle of Wight ConstabularyRegional organised crime unit (South East): County lines and organised supply
Portsmouth City Council public health: Commissions drug and alcohol treatment
Other crimeHampshire and Isle of Wight ConstabularyCPS Wessex: Decides charges in more serious cases and prosecutes
Possession of weaponsHampshire and Isle of Wight ConstabularySafer Portsmouth Partnership: The city's community safety partnership: council, police, fire, probation and health agree the Community Safety Plan 2025-28
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Violence Reduction Unit: Prevention and diversion work with young people
RobberyHampshire and Isle of Wight ConstabularyCPS Wessex: Decides charges in more serious cases and prosecutes
Theft from the personHampshire and Isle of Wight ConstabularyCPS Wessex: Decides charges in more serious cases and prosecutes
Bicycle theftHampshire and Isle of Wight ConstabularyPortsmouth City Council: Secure cycle parking on streets and at council sites

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner

Sets the Police and Crime Plan and the force budget; holds the Chief Constable to account

Safer Portsmouth Partnership

The city's community safety partnership: council, police, fire, probation and health agree the Community Safety Plan 2025-28

Home Office

Police funding and national crime-recording rules

Not in these figures, and who deals with it

Fraud and computer misuse. Reported to a national centre, not to local forces, so it is not mapped to a street. The Crime Survey estimates it is now the most common crime people experience. Report Fraud (run by City of London Police), which replaced Action Fraud in December 2025: reportfraud.police.uk.

Crime on the railway. Recorded by British Transport Police. Its records are left out here to match ONS local authority tables. British Transport Police: Text 61016, or 999 in an emergency.

Fly-tipping, noise and most environmental nuisance. Reported to councils, not the police. Local council: Your council's online reporting form.

Crime that is never reported. Police numbers only count what is reported and recorded. The Crime Survey for England and Wales asks households directly and is the better guide to national trends. Office for National Statistics.

What happened next

Portsmouth24,191 crimes from Aug 2024 to Jul 2025
Charged or summonsed 9%Dealt with out of court 6%No suspect identified 32%Suspect found, no prosecution 43%Still under investigation 0%Other 10%

Source: data.police.uk (Home Office and police forces), via UK Stat Pack · Aug 2011 to Jul 2026

Checked 27 September 2026

Latest outcome police.uk shows. Court results are matched imperfectly, so the charged share is a floor.

Southampton30,852 crimes from Aug 2024 to Jul 2025
Charged or summonsed 9%Dealt with out of court 7%No suspect identified 34%Suspect found, no prosecution 41%Still under investigation 0%Other 10%

Source: data.police.uk (Home Office and police forces), via UK Stat Pack · Aug 2011 to Jul 2026

Checked 27 September 2026

Latest outcome police.uk shows. Court results are matched imperfectly, so the charged share is a floor.

England4,536,928 crimes from Aug 2024 to Jul 2025
Charged or summonsed 8%Dealt with out of court 4%No suspect identified 38%Suspect found, no prosecution 39%Still under investigation 0%Other 10%

Source: data.police.uk (Home Office and police forces), via UK Stat Pack · Aug 2011 to Jul 2026

Checked 27 September 2026

Latest outcome police.uk shows. Court results are matched imperfectly, so the charged share is a floor.

How these figures are made

Every crime and anti-social behaviour incident recorded by police, from police.uk, counted by month and type and placed in a ward by its map point. Rates are per 1,000 residents: ONS mid-year estimates for the city, Census 2021 for wards.

Police.uk runs slightly below the official ONS recorded-crime rate because it drops records with no location. It does not include fraud or crime on the railway, and it cannot count crime that is never reported.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary published every month in the period.

Full method, any area and every month on UK Stat Pack →