Bursledon Crime Rate May 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Bursledon, a built-up area within Eastleigh, recorded 63 crimes in May 2023, translating to a crime rate of 9.0 per 1,000 residents. This rate is 12.5% higher than the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000, highlighting a localised challenge in crime management. The most prevalent category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 24 incidents (38.1% of total crimes), followed by vehicle crime and public order offences (9 incidents each). These figures suggest a notable emphasis on interpersonal and public space-related crimes, which may be influenced by May’s seasonal dynamics. The month’s longer evenings, bank holidays, and increased outdoor drinking and socialising could have contributed to the rise in violence and public order offences, as such factors often correlate with heightened alcohol consumption and informal gatherings. Vehicle crime, at 1.3 per 1,000, was 189% above the UK average, linked to Bursledon’s proximity to major transport routes or commuter hubs. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour and burglary were below the UK average, with anti-social behaviour at 0.9 per 1,000 (32% below) and burglary at 0.1 per 1,000 (68% below). This mixed picture indicates that while some crime types are high, others remain relatively low compared to national benchmarks. The seasonal context of May—characterised by increased foot traffic and social activity—likely plays a role in shaping the crime profile, with public spaces and vehicles becoming more vulnerable to targeted incidents. However, the absence of a clear causal link between specific local features and the crime trends means that further analysis is required to fully understand the underlying patterns.

May 2023 saw sharp increases in vehicle crime (+125%), public order offences (+125%), and other theft (+100%) compared to April. These jumps, particularly in vehicle crime—which rose from 4 to 9 incidents—suggest a potential shift in criminal activity patterns, possibly linked to increased outdoor activity during longer evenings. Meanwhile, burglary fell by 50%, with only one incident reported compared to two in April, indicating a possible decline in residential-targeted crimes. Violence and sexual offences remained the most prevalent category, contributing 38.1% of all crimes, and were 22% above the UK average for the same category. Vehicle crime, meanwhile, was 189% above the UK average (0.5 per 1,000), a stark divergence that may reflect local factors such as parking density or traffic patterns. For residents, the significant rise in vehicle crime—now at 1.3 per 1,000—could be a practical concern, given the area’s reliance on motor vehicles for daily commutes and local travel.

Bursledon's crime rate in May 2023 (9.0 per 1,000 residents) represents a 57.5% increase from the previous month’s rate of 5.7 per 1,000. This surge translates to roughly two crimes reported each day across the built-up area, a figure that underscores the heightened activity during the month. Over the course of May, one reported crime occurred for every 111 residents, a monthly exposure rate that highlights the frequency of incidents relative to the local population. With a population of 6,971, the 63 total crimes recorded in May equate to a significant proportion of the community experiencing some form of crime. This scale is particularly notable given the area’s relatively small size, suggesting that crime may be concentrated in specific locations or influenced by transient factors such as seasonal changes. The contrast with the UK average—where the national rate is 8.0 per 1,000—further emphasizes the localised challenges faced by Bursledon, as the area’s rate exceeds the national benchmark by 12.5%. This comparison invites reflection on whether local conditions, such as increased outdoor activity during May’s longer evenings, contribute to the elevated figures.