Lee-on-the-Solent Crime Rate

Lee-on-the-Solent is an exceptionally safe coastal settlement, evidenced by a high safety score of 90/100. The area's overall crime rate stands at 41.5 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the UK national average of 93.1. This indicates a secure environment for both residents and visitors. Recent data shows a stable trend with a minor year-over-year decrease of 3.0%, suggesting that the local security landscape is consistently well-managed. With a property crime rate of just 12.3 per 1,000—far below the UK average of 32.9—Lee-on-the-Solent remains a highly desirable residential location. The following detailed analysis explores the specific types of crime reported, temporal patterns, and local comparisons to provide a comprehensive view of safety in the area.

Crime Breakdown in Lee-on-the-Solent

The most prevalent crime categories in Lee-on-the-Solent are violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour, and shoplifting. Violence and sexual offences represent the largest portion of local reports, with 466 incidents recorded, accounting for 43.4% of total crime. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 14.4% and shoplifting at 7.2%.

Property crime overall, which encompasses burglary, various forms of theft, vehicle crime, and criminal damage, maintains a rate of 12.3 per 1,000 people. Within this category, criminal damage and arson (6.8%) and other theft (5.5%) are the most frequent. Vehicle crime and burglary are relatively infrequent, making up 3.9% and 3.6% of total reports respectively.

For residents and homeowners, these figures suggest that while Lee-on-the-Solent is statistically very safe, maintaining vigilance regarding property and personal security remains beneficial. The low burglary and vehicle crime rates, significantly below the UK average, indicate a secure residential environment, though the prevalence of anti-social behaviour highlights a need for community-level awareness and reporting.

Crime Trends in Lee-on-the-Solent

The long-term crime trend in Lee-on-the-Solent is stable, with a modest 3.0% decrease in total offences compared to the previous year. This stability is a positive indicator for the community, suggesting that crime levels are not only low but also consistent.

An analysis of the monthly trend data reveals some seasonal fluctuations. Crime rates were at their lowest in November (2.8 per 1,000) and January (2.9). However, there were noticeable peaks in April and August, both reaching 4.3 per 1,000. These increases likely correlate with the spring and summer holiday periods when the coastal area attracts more visitors, which often leads to a temporary rise in opportunistic offences and anti-social behaviour. Despite these seasonal variations, the crime rate consistently remained well below the UK average throughout the year. For residents, this trend suggests a predictable safety environment where the most significant changes are linked to the area's seasonal popularity.

How To Keep Safe in Lee-on-the-Solent

The most frequently reported crime in Lee-on-the-Solent is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for 43.4% of total incidents. While many of these reports may stem from localized disputes or nightlife-related activity, staying safe involves being aware of your surroundings and using common-sense precautions.

When walking alone, particularly at night, stick to well-lit, familiar routes and avoid shortcuts through unlit parks or alleyways. It is often safer to walk with a friend or use a reputable taxi service for late-night travel.

Keep your mobile phone charged and easily accessible, and consider using safety apps that allow you to share your real-time location with trusted contacts.

Be mindful of your surroundings in crowded areas or near transport hubs, and trust your instincts—if a situation feels uncomfortable, move to a busy, well-lit area or enter a public building.

In residential settings, ensuring your home's exterior is well-lit with motion-activated lighting can deter loitering and provide a greater sense of security for you and your neighbours.

Crime Timing and Patterns in Lee-on-the-Solent

Crime in Lee-on-the-Solent follows distinct temporal patterns that align with daily activity cycles. Morning hours (6am to 12pm) are primarily characterised by theft-related offences, accounting for 41% of crimes in this window. This pattern intensifies slightly in the afternoon (12pm to 6pm), where theft offences reach 42%. These periods likely coincide with peak retail and commercial activity in the area.

As the day transitions into the evening (6pm to 12am), the crime profile shifts. While theft drops to 17%, "other" crimes—which include anti-social behaviour and public order offences—spike to 55%. This suggests that social activity and evening leisure time are the primary drivers of incidents during these hours.

The night-time period (12am to 6am) presents a different risk profile. Vehicle crime peaks during these hours, representing 35% of all night-time reports, as opportunistic offenders take advantage of reduced street activity and darkness. Burglary also remains a consistent factor across all time periods, peaking slightly at 19% during the night, highlighting the importance of 24-hour property security.

When comparing Lee-on-the-Solent to its immediate neighbours, it occupies a middle ground between small rural pockets and larger urban centres. It is considerably safer than the major nearby hubs of Fareham and Gosport, which record significantly higher crime rates of 81.7 and 88.1 per 1,000 people respectively. Conversely, areas like Peel Common and Segensworth report zero crimes per 1,000, though these are much smaller or less residential in nature. For those seeking a balance between urban amenities and a secure residential environment, Lee-on-the-Solent offers a significantly lower risk profile than the surrounding primary towns, reinforcing its status as one of the safest populated areas in the Fareham local authority.

Home Security in Lee-on-the-Solent

With a property crime rate of 12.3 per 1,000 people, Lee-on-the-Solent is a low-risk area, but homeowners should not become complacent. Traditional security measures, such as basic CCTV or standard alarm systems, often only provide evidence after a crime has been committed. In an area where burglary and vehicle crime are relatively rare, the goal should be to maintain that status through proactive prevention.

Modern AI-powered systems like scOS represent a significant leap forward from reactive recording. By monitoring property boundaries in real-time, scOS can detect and deter potential intruders before they attempt a break-in. Features such as vehicle verification and pattern learning allow the system to distinguish between a delivery driver and a genuine threat, reducing false alarms. For residents of Lee-on-the-Solent, the objective is to make your property an unattractive target. Visible, intelligent security signals to opportunistic criminals that the risk of detection is too high, effectively preventing property crime rather than merely documenting it. Moving from a "record and report" mindset to a "detect and deter" strategy is the most effective way to protect your home in this safe coastal community.