Basingstoke Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For a town of 123,498 residents, 869 crimes in May 2024 equate to 7.0 per 1,000 people — 16.7% below the UK average of 8.4. This figure translates to one reported crime for every 142 residents over the month, a rate that remains consistent with Basingstoke's historical positioning as a relatively low-crime urban area. The most significant category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 370 incidents (42.6% of total crimes), with a rate of 3.0 per 1,000 — 6% above the UK average. This suggests a concentration of violent incidents in specific neighbourhoods or during peak social hours, likely influenced by the increased daylight and outdoor activity typical of May. Anti-social behaviour, at 0.9 per 1,000, remained 38% below the UK average, reflecting effective local policing in managing public order. The breakdown of property crimes (256 incidents) showed a 36% decrease in vehicle crime compared to the UK average, potentially linked to Basingstoke's lower density of high-traffic commercial zones. Meanwhile, shoplifting (49 incidents) and other theft (56 incidents) remained 38% and 14% below UK averages, respectively, indicating strong retail security measures or community engagement initiatives. Seasonal factors, including longer evenings and bank holidays, may have contributed to the 10.7% increase in overall crime rates from April, though the overall profile remains significantly safer than the national average.

May 2024 saw a sharp 166.7% increase in theft from the person, rising from 3 to 8 incidents. This spike, though small in absolute terms, may reflect heightened outdoor activity during longer evenings. Conversely, bicycle theft fell by 66.7% (6 to 2), potentially linked to seasonal changes in cycling patterns or improved security measures. Possession of weapons also rose by 87.5%, with incidents increasing from 8 to 15 — a 25% above the UK average for this category. This uptick may be connected to increased socialising during May's bank holidays. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour remained 38% below the UK average (0.9 vs 1.4 per 1,000), suggesting effective local policing in this area. The overall crime mix shifted slightly towards violent offences, which now account for 42.6% of all crimes — a 3.0 per 1,000 rate, compared to the UK's 2.8 per 1,000. Residents may find the 66.7% drop in bicycle theft particularly noteworthy, as it indicates a potential success in crime prevention strategies.

Basingstoke's crime rate in May 2024 rose by 10.7% compared to April's 6.4 per 1,000, reaching 7.0 per 1,000. This increase, though modest, reflects a shift in crime patterns as the month progressed. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 28 crimes per day, a figure that translates to roughly one reported crime for every 142 residents over the course of the month. Given Basingstoke's population of 123,498, this equates to a relatively low monthly exposure compared to national averages. The rise in violent crime and anti-social behaviour may be influenced by the extended daylight hours and increased social activity typical of May, particularly around bank holidays and weekends. However, the significant drop in bicycle theft (-66.7%) and robbery (-33.3%) suggests that targeted interventions or seasonal factors, such as reduced outdoor activity during colder evenings, may have played a role in these decreases. These fluctuations highlight the dynamic nature of local crime trends and the need for ongoing monitoring.