Lee-on-the-Solent Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Lee-on-the-Solent's overall crime rate in January 2024 stood at 3.2 per 1,000 residents, placing it 56.8% below the UK average of 7.4. This marked a stark contrast to the national profile, where violence and sexual offences account for a larger share of total crimes. In Lee-on-the-Solent, the most significant contributors were violence and sexual offences (37.4% of total crimes), followed by anti-social behaviour (22.9%) and shoplifting (14.5%). The seasonal context of January—a post-holiday period with reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours—may partly explain the lower prevalence of outdoor crimes typically associated with warmer months. However, the area's relatively low crime rate compared to the UK average suggests a combination of local factors, including its status as a built-up area within Fareham, which may benefit from established community policing strategies and lower population density than major urban centres. The dominance of violence and sexual offences over property crimes highlights a distinct crime profile, influenced by the area's mix of residential and commercial zones. While the UK average for violence and sexual offences is 2.6 per 1,000, Lee-on-the-Solent's rate of 1.2 per 1,000 is 54% below this figure, indicating a lower incidence of violent crime than expected for a populated built-up area. This could reflect effective local interventions or demographic characteristics, such as a higher proportion of older residents or family households, which are often associated with lower violent crime rates. The relatively low rates of vehicle crime (0.1 per 1,000) and burglary (0.1 per 1,000) further underscore the area's divergence from the UK average, where these categories are more prevalent in urban and commuter-focused regions.

The most striking month-on-month change was a 300% increase in shoplifting, rising from 3 to 12 incidents in January 2024. This surge may be linked to post-holiday retail activity or shifts in local shopping patterns. Anti-social behaviour also saw a 216.7% increase, with cases jumping from 6 to 19, suggesting potential pressures from seasonal transitions or unmet community needs. Conversely, criminal damage and arson dropped by 80% (from 10 to 2), possibly reflecting the reduced outdoor activity typical of winter months. Lee-on-the-Solent's rate of violence and sexual offences (1.2 per 1,000) is 54% below the UK average, a disparity that may reflect the area's lower population density and established community structures. Meanwhile, bicycle theft in Lee-on-the-Solent (0.1 per 1,000) is 67% above the UK average of 0.1 per 1,000, a minor but intriguing anomaly that could indicate specific vulnerabilities in local bike storage or usage patterns. For residents, the 17.2% month-on-month rise in overall crime rate—from 2.7 to 3.2 per 1,000—may prompt closer attention to local safety measures, particularly in areas experiencing spikes in anti-social behaviour and shoplifting.

Lee-on-the-Solent's crime rate in January 2024 (3.2 per 1,000) marked a 17.2% increase from December's 2.7 per 1,000, reflecting a notable upward trend. On a daily basis, this translates to approximately 3 crimes reported each day—a figure that, while seemingly low, may be amplified by the area's specific vulnerabilities in categories like shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. Over the course of January, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 312 residents, a monthly exposure rate that, when contextualised against the local population of 25,870, suggests a relatively low frequency of incidents compared to the UK average. This is particularly evident in violent crime, where Lee-on-the-Solent's rate of 1.2 per 1,000 is 54% below the UK average. However, the 17.2% month-on-month increase raises questions about whether this reflects a temporary fluctuation or a shift in underlying patterns. The population-scaled perspective reveals that while the overall crime rate remains well below the UK average, the relative rise in certain categories—especially anti-social behaviour and shoplifting—may indicate pressures that could become more pronounced if unaddressed. For residents, this means that while the area remains statistically safer than most parts of the UK, vigilance in areas experiencing growth in specific crime types is warranted.