Hedge End Crime Rate October 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In October 2024, Hedge End recorded 138 crimes across its population of 25,315 residents, translating to a crime rate of 5.5 per 1,000 people. This figure is 32.1% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000, reflecting a consistently lower crime profile compared to national trends. The breakdown reveals a striking imbalance between crime categories: violent crimes (57, 41.3% of total) far exceed property crimes (43, 31.2%). Violence and sexual offences dominate with 57 incidents, a rate of 2.3 per 1,000—14% below the UK average for this category. Anti-social behaviour (21) and shoplifting (15) follow, both significantly below national rates. This skew toward violent crime contrasts with the UK’s broader mix of property and violent offences, suggesting local factors such as community dynamics or policing strategies may influence patterns. Seasonal context adds nuance: darker evenings and Halloween activities may have contributed to higher violent crime rates. The area’s built-up character within Eastleigh, with its mix of residential and commercial spaces, likely shapes crime exposure differently than more rural or industrial regions. While property crime rates remain low, the dominance of violent offences raises questions about localized tensions or incident concentrations that warrant further exploration.

October 2024 saw notable shifts in crime trends, with violent offences maintaining a clear lead over property crimes. Other theft rose sharply by 133.3% (3 to 7), a jump that may reflect seasonal shopping activity or increased opportunities in retail areas. Bicycle theft doubled to three incidents, possibly linked to autumnal cycling patterns or changes in parking arrangements. Possession of weapons also doubled, though this remains a small category (2 incidents). Conversely, burglary fell by 83.3% (6 to 1), a steep decline that could indicate improved security measures or seasonal inactivity. Anti-social behaviour (21 incidents) and shoplifting (15) both remained well below UK averages, with the former 38% lower and the latter 17% lower. The violent crime rate (2.3 per 1,000) is 14% below the UK average for this category, highlighting a contrast with national trends where violence and sexual offences typically account for a higher share of total crimes. For residents, the 1-in-183 monthly exposure rate (138 crimes over 25,315 people) provides context for risk levels, though this figure is a monthly aggregate and not a daily measure.

Hedge End’s crime rate in October 2024 (5.5 per 1,000) marked a 23.3% increase from the previous month’s rate of 4.4 per 1,000, a rise that may reflect seasonal factors such as shorter evenings and Halloween-related activities. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 4 crimes per day—slightly lower than the UK average of roughly 6-7 daily crimes per 1,000 residents. Over the course of October, one reported crime occurred for every 183 residents, a monthly exposure rate that places Hedge End in the lower tier of UK areas for crime frequency. This figure, while informative, does not account for variations in population density or policing effectiveness. The 32.1% gap between Hedge End’s rate and the UK average underscores the area’s generally safer profile. monthly increase suggests temporary fluctuations. For context, a population of 25,315 means that the 138 total crimes represent 0.55% of the population, a proportion that is significantly lower than the UK’s broader crime exposure levels. These statistics highlight a combination of local conditions and national trends, with Hedge End’s built-up environment and possibly effective community policing contributing to its lower crime rates.