Overton Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

December 2025 presented an intriguing contrast in Overton (Basingstoke and Deane), where the overall crime rate of 3.2 per 1,000 residents — 54.3% below the UK average — masked unexpected fluctuations in specific categories. Violence and sexual offences dominated with 8 incidents (47.1% of total crimes), remaining 42% below the UK average for this category. The sharp rise in shoplifting, from zero to one incident, was the most surprising development, though this category still lagged 65% behind the UK average. Criminal damage and arson (3 incidents) and burglary (2 incidents) both exceeded UK averages, with the latter 43% above the national figure. These patterns align with December's seasonal context: Christmas shopping peaks, extended evening hours, and the presence of empty homes during holiday periods likely contributed to the mix of crime types. Despite the upward trend from November, Overton's crime rate remains in the lower quartile of UK statistics, suggesting that local factors such as community policing, low population density, and limited commercial activity may continue to mitigate crime. The balance between property and violent crime — with property crimes accounting for 41.2% of total incidents — reflects a pattern consistent with suburban areas where personal safety concerns often outweigh property-focused offences.

December 2025 witnessed sharp increases in shoplifting, public order offences, and burglary — each rising by 100% compared to November. This unexpected surge in shoplifting, from zero to one incident, contrasts with Overton's typically low rates for this category, which were 65% below the UK average. Violent crimes, accounting for 47.1% of total incidents, remained 42% below the UK average for violence and sexual offences. The rise in public order offences, though small in absolute terms, aligns with the seasonal context of December — a month marked by holiday gatherings and darker evenings. Burglary's 100% increase to two incidents, despite being 43% above the UK average for this category, may partly reflect increased property vulnerability during the festive season when homes are temporarily unoccupied.

Overton's crime rate in December 2025 rose to 3.2 per 1,000 residents, marking a 41.4% increase from November's 2.3 per 1,000. This shift places the area's rate firmly within the lower quartile of UK crime statistics, though the upward trend contrasts with its historically low crime profile. On a daily basis, 17 total crimes were reported across 31 days — a rate of roughly one crime per day, which remains exceptionally low compared to national averages. When scaled to the population, this translates to one reported crime occurring for every 311 residents over the course of the month. While the increase is notable, the absolute number of crimes remains minimal, suggesting that local efforts to maintain safety have largely held, even as seasonal factors like Christmas shopping and extended evening hours may have temporarily influenced crime patterns.