Lee-on-the-Solent Crime Rate February 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Lee-on-the-Solent’s crime rate in February 2025 stood at 3.7 per 1,000 residents, placing it 44.8% below the UK average of 6.7 per 1,000. This built-up coastal area within Fareham continues to demonstrate a crime profile markedly lower than the national average, a trend consistent with its relatively small population and low-density urban character. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 34.7% of all reported crimes, followed by criminal damage and arson (15.8%) and shoplifting (9.5%). The seasonal context of February—a winter month with low outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull—may partly explain the subdued levels of property crime compared to busier periods. However, the prominence of violence and sexual offences suggests a need for targeted community engagement in residential and public spaces. While the overall rate remains low, the category of criminal damage and arson, which is 25% above the UK average, highlights a localised concern. This could reflect the area’s proximity to industrial or recreational zones where such incidents are more likely to occur. The absence of significant spikes in theft or burglary, which are both well below national averages, further underscores the area’s comparatively safe environment, though the seasonal lull may mask underlying patterns that emerge in warmer months.

February 2025 saw sharp increases in shoplifting (+800%), vehicle crime (+200%), and criminal damage and arson (+200%) compared to January. These jumps, particularly in shoplifting, may be linked to end-of-season retail activity or targeted campaigns by offenders. Conversely, possession of weapons fell by 50%, and public order offences dropped by 33.3%, suggesting a temporary reduction in disorderly conduct. Violence and sexual offences, while remaining the most common category, are still 45% below the UK average, a figure that aligns with the area’s lower population density and potentially more stable community structures. The category of criminal damage and arson, which is 25% above the UK average, warrants closer examination, as it contrasts with other crime types that are consistently below national levels. For residents, the sharp rise in shoplifting may signal a need for heightened vigilance in retail areas, particularly during periods of high foot traffic or promotional events. The overall crime mix remains skewed towards violent and property-related incidents, with very low rates of burglary and theft from the person—both of which are 60–78% below the UK average.

Lee-on-the-Solent’s crime rate rose 24.8% from 2.9 per 1,000 in January to 3.7 per 1,000 in February 2025, though it remains significantly below the UK average. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately three crimes per day in February—a figure that, while modest, reflects the month’s low outdoor activity and pre-spring lull. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 272 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is well below the UK average. With a population of 25,870, the area’s small size contributes to its relatively low absolute crime numbers, even as its rate is comparable to other similarly sized built-up areas. The 24.8% monthly increase, though notable, is less alarming when viewed against the seasonal context: February’s typically subdued activity levels may have limited the potential for more significant spikes. Residents should note that while the overall rate remains low, the rise in shoplifting and vehicle crime suggests a need for continued attention to retail and transport security measures. The comparison to the UK average underscores the area’s effectiveness in maintaining a crime environment that is consistently safer than the national norm.