Lee-on-the-Solent Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Lee-on-the-Solent’s crime rate in February 2026 was 2.9 per 1,000 residents, placing it 54.7% below the UK average of 6.4. This stark deviation from national trends highlights the area’s relatively safe environment, which may be shaped by its coastal character and lower population density. Violent crimes dominated the crime mix, accounting for 42.1% of all incidents, but even this figure was 48% below the UK average for the category. Public order offences and criminal damage followed, each contributing 9.2% of total crimes and both significantly below national benchmarks. The seasonal context of February — a winter month marked by low outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull — likely contributed to the overall subdued crime profile. While violent crime remains the most common category, its lower-than-average rate suggests that local factors, such as community cohesion or policing presence, may be mitigating risks. The absence of high-profile crime hotspots, combined with the area’s built-up yet low-density nature, appears to create an environment where crime is less frequent and less severe than in larger urban centres. This pattern is reinforced by the consistent underperformance of categories like anti-social behaviour (78% below UK average) and shoplifting (83% below), which may reflect the area’s limited retail presence and the absence of high-traffic commercial zones.

February 2026 saw significant fluctuations in specific crime categories, with burglary and vehicle crime both rising sharply. Burglary increased by 200% (from 1 to 3 incidents), while vehicle crime rose by 66.7% (from 3 to 5). These increases may be linked to seasonal factors, such as the winter lull in outdoor activity potentially leading to more opportunistic crimes in residential areas. Conversely, shoplifting fell by 71.4% (from 7 to 2 incidents), a drop consistent with reduced foot traffic in retail zones during colder months. Violent crimes remained the most prevalent category, making up 42.1% of total incidents, but this rate was 48% below the UK average of 2.3 per 1,000. Anti-social behaviour incidents fell by 61.1% (from 18 to 7), a decline that could reflect community initiatives or the impact of reduced public gatherings in winter. The stark contrast between Lee-on-the-Solent’s rates and the UK average for categories like public order (27% below) and criminal damage (35% below) further reinforces the area’s unique safety profile.

Lee-on-the-Solent’s crime rate in February 2026 stood at 2.9 per 1,000 residents, a 25.4% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 3.9. This decline aligns with seasonal patterns typical of winter months, when outdoor activity diminishes and public spaces see reduced foot traffic. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly three crimes per day, a figure that, while low, reflects the consistent presence of local crime in a built-up coastal community. Monthly exposure data indicates that over the course of February, one reported crime occurred for every 340 residents — a ratio that underscores the relatively low risk of encountering crime in this area compared to national averages. When considering the population of 25,870, the 76 total crimes reported represent a manageable volume for local authorities, suggesting that existing policing strategies may be effectively addressing local concerns. However, the 54.7% gap between Lee-on-the-Solent’s rate and the UK average of 6.4 highlights the area’s distinct safety profile, which may be influenced by its coastal location and the absence of high-density urban challenges seen in larger cities.