Alton Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For a town of 19,178 residents, Alton recorded 89 crimes in October 2023, translating to a crime rate of 4.6 per 1,000 people—42.5% below the UK average of 8.0. This figure, while modest, reflects a mix of violent and property-related incidents that align with the area’s character as a smaller built-up area within East Hampshire. Violence and sexual offences were the most common category, contributing 28 incidents (31.5% of total crimes), followed by public order offences (13) and anti-social behaviour (11). These patterns are consistent with a town that balances residential areas with local amenities, where public spaces and community hubs may contribute to both social interaction and occasional disorder. Seasonal factors in October—such as the return to darker evenings, the clocks going back, and Halloween—likely influence the crime profile, with public order offences seeing a notable surge. However, the overall rate remains significantly below the UK average, suggesting effective local policing or community engagement strategies. The breakdown also reveals that several categories, including anti-social behaviour and vehicle crime, are well below national levels, indicating that Alton’s residents may benefit from lower exposure to these issues compared to the broader population. This combination of factors—seasonal timing, local demographics, and comparative safety—illustrates a town where crime is present but managed at a level that is lower than the national trend.

October saw a dramatic 160% increase in public order crimes, rising from 5 to 13 incidents. This surge may be linked to Halloween activities and the transition to darker evenings, which can amplify disturbances in public spaces. Conversely, shoplifting and vehicle crime both declined sharply—shoplifting dropped 60% (from 10 to 4) and vehicle crime fell 37.5% (from 8 to 5), possibly reflecting reduced outdoor activity as the weather turned colder. Violence and sexual offences remained the most common category, accounting for 31.5% of all crimes, but this rate of 1.5 per 1,000 is 44% below the UK average for this category. The drop in drugs-related crimes (60% decrease) may indicate a seasonal reduction in illicit activity, though this remains a small proportion of total crime. These shifts highlight how local conditions and timing can influence specific crime types, even as overall safety remains strong.

Alton’s crime rate in October 2023 fell to 4.6 per 1,000 residents, a 10.9% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 5.2. This decline aligns with broader seasonal patterns, as October’s darker evenings and the transition to winter may reduce opportunities for certain types of crime. Daily, the area recorded an average of 3 crimes per day, a figure that contextualises the monthly total of 89 as a relatively low frequency for a built-up area of this size. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 215 residents, a rate that underscores the area’s overall safety compared to national averages. While this monthly exposure figure does not account for daily fluctuations, it provides a snapshot of how crime is distributed across the population. The population-scaled perspective also highlights that Alton’s crime profile remains significantly below the UK average, with violent crimes and property crimes both contributing to a safer local environment than the national trend.