Hedge End Crime Rate

Hedge End presents a highly favourable safety profile within the Hampshire region. The area maintains an overall crime rate of 54.4 per 1,000 residents, which is substantially lower than the UK national average of 91.7. This performance is reflected in an impressive safety score of 87/100, positioning it well above the UK average safety score of 79. Recent data indicates a stable trend, with a modest 4.3% year-over-year decrease in reported incidents. These figures suggest that Hedge End remains a secure urban settlement, though specific crime types such as shoplifting and violence and sexual offences continue to be the primary focus for local law enforcement. The following analysis explores the specific nuances of these statistics to provide a clear picture of the local security landscape.

Crime in Hedge End is dominated by three primary categories: violence and sexual offences, shoplifting, and anti-social behaviour. Violence and sexual offences represent the largest portion of reports, with 546 incidents recorded, accounting for 39.7% of total crime. Shoplifting is also significantly prevalent at 18.1%, likely reflecting the area's busy retail presence. Anti-social behaviour constitutes 12.0% of the local data.

Property-related crime in Hedge End, which includes burglary, robbery, theft from the person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft, occurs at a rate of 19.4 per 1,000 residents. While this is notably lower than the UK average of 32.3, it remains a focal point for local security. Burglary and vehicle crime each account for 2.7% of total offences, with 37 incidents reported for each category. For residents, this suggests that while Hedge End is statistically very safe, maintaining standard home and vehicle security is essential to mitigate the risk of opportunistic theft and property damage.

The crime rate in Hedge End has remained stable over the last year, showing a slight decrease of 4.3% in total reported incidents. Monthly data from December 2024 to November 2025 shows a relatively consistent pattern with some seasonal fluctuation. The year began with a crime rate of 5.5 in December, followed by a dip to its lowest point of 3.0 in February. Activity generally trended upward through the spring and summer, peaking again at 5.5 in July. The latter half of the year saw a steady maintenance of figures around the 4.9 mark before dropping to 3.8 in November. This stability suggests that local policing and community safety measures are effectively containing crime levels, preventing any significant spikes. For residents, this trend indicates a predictable security environment, though the slight downward movement is a positive sign for the area's long-term safety outlook.

How To Keep Safe in Hedge End

The most prevalent crime type in Hedge End is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for nearly 40% of all reported incidents. To enhance personal safety, always remain aware of your surroundings, particularly when walking alone after dark or in less populated areas. Stick to well-lit routes and avoid using headphones, which can reduce your situational awareness.

If you are visiting local retail hubs where shoplifting is common, keep your personal belongings secure and be mindful of your purse or wallet in crowded spaces. When at home, ensure all windows and doors are locked, even when you are in the property, to prevent opportunistic entry.

For vehicle owners, the data shows a spike in vehicle-related crime during the night. Always park in a garage or a well-lit driveway if possible, and never leave valuables on display inside the car. Utilising a steering lock or an additional immobiliser can serve as an effective visual deterrent to potential thieves.

Analysis of crime timing in Hedge End reveals distinct patterns tied to the time of day. Morning and afternoon periods are heavily influenced by theft and shoplifting, accounting for 45% and 48% of crimes respectively. This likely correlates with the operational hours of local commercial and retail centres. As the day progresses into the evening, the crime profile shifts significantly; 54% of evening reports fall into the 'other' category, which includes public order and anti-social behaviour. Night-time hours (12am - 6am) see the highest concentration of vehicle crime, which rises to 34% of all incidents in that period. Burglary also reaches its peak frequency during the night at 19%. These trends suggest that while daytime crime is primarily business-related, residential and vehicle-related risks increase under the cover of darkness, highlighting the importance of securing property overnight.

When comparing Hedge End to the surrounding region, it emerges as one of the safer urban options. Its crime rate of 54.4 per 1,000 is notably lower than West End (Eastleigh) at 68.9 and significantly more secure than Botley, which sees a much higher rate of 127.1. However, residents looking for even quieter areas might look toward Horton Heath, which records a lower rate of 29.8, or the rural parish of Durley, which maintains a rare 0.0 crime rate. Hedge End offers a balanced profile, providing the amenities of a larger built-up area while maintaining a safety score that outstrips many of its immediate neighbours.

With a property crime rate of 19.4 per 1,000, Hedge End residents enjoy a relatively secure environment, yet the presence of burglary and vehicle crime necessitates professional security considerations. Traditional security often relies on reactive recording; a camera captures a crime, but the damage is already done. In contrast, scOS provides a proactive AI-driven approach. By monitoring all camera feeds simultaneously with boundary-line intelligence, scOS identifies potential threats before they reach your door. For Hedge End homeowners, this means the system can detect a suspicious individual loitering near a vehicle at 3am—the peak time for local vehicle crime—and trigger an autonomous response like activating floodlights or audible warnings. This preventative layer turns your security from a witness into a guardian, ensuring that the 60-second decision a criminal makes results in them moving on to a less protected target. Professional-grade AI protection effectively bridges the gap between statistical safety and absolute peace of mind.