Overton Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Overton (Basingstoke and Deane) recorded a crime rate of 4.4 per 1,000 residents in February 2026, placing it 31.2% below the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000. This performance, while consistent with the area's historical trend of being safer than the national average, reveals a nuanced picture shaped by seasonal and local factors. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 52.2% of all reported incidents—double the share of property crimes. This imbalance may reflect the built-up nature of the area, where higher population density and proximity to urban hubs like Basingstoke could contribute to elevated rates of interpersonal crime. The winter season, with its low outdoor activity and pre-spring lull, likely influenced patterns. Anti-social behaviour, though lower than the UK average by 12%, rose sharply by 100% month-on-month, tied to social dynamics during colder months. Meanwhile, shoplifting saw a 100% increase, though it remained slightly above the UK average by 3%, suggesting localized pressures in retail environments. These findings highlight the interplay between seasonal rhythms, community characteristics, and the broader UK context, offering insights for local stakeholders to address emerging challenges without overstepping the data's limitations.

February 2026 saw sharp increases in three categories: drugs (+100%), shoplifting (+100%), and anti-social behaviour (+100%). These jumps, though starting from low bases, indicate emerging trends. Shoplifting, now at 0.6 per 1,000, slightly exceeds the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000 by 3%, marking a rare deviation for the area. Conversely, criminal damage and arson fell by 33.3%, aligning with the UK average of 0.5 per 1,000. The crime mix shifted with violent crimes accounting for 52.2% of all incidents—higher than property crimes (13.0% for shoplifting and 8.7% for criminal damage). This imbalance may reflect local dynamics, such as the area's built-up character and seasonal lull in outdoor activity. A resident might find the 100% increase in drugs, from zero to one incident, particularly noteworthy, as it suggests new challenges in community safety.

Overton's crime rate in February 2026 rose by 35.5% compared to the previous month, moving from 3.2 to 4.4 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though significant, still places the area 31.2% below the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000. Locally, the daily crime count averaged one incident per day across February, reflecting a relatively low frequency of reported crimes. When considering the population of 5,293 residents, the monthly exposure translates to one reported crime for every 230 residents. This figure, while modest, highlights the area's consistent underperformance relative to national trends. The rise in anti-social behaviour and shoplifting, coupled with a drop in criminal damage, suggests shifting patterns in local activity. These changes may align with seasonal factors, such as reduced outdoor engagement during winter. The comparison underscores Overton's position as a safer-than-average area, despite the recent upward trend in certain crime categories.