Locks Heath Crime Rate

Locks Heath Crime Overview

Locks Heath is an exceptionally safe residential area within the Fareham borough, boasting a high safety score of 87/100. The overall crime rate is just 49.9 per 1,000 residents, which is nearly half the UK national average of 91.6. However, the area has recently seen an upward trend, with crime increasing by 7.7% year-over-year. Property crime in Locks Heath is also notably low at 14.9 per 1,000 residents, far below the national average of 32.2. These figures indicate a highly secure environment for the area's 35,722 inhabitants, with a low incidence of both violent and property-related offences, despite the recent increase in reported incidents.

In Locks Heath, violence and sexual offences are the primary crime type, accounting for 46.5% of all reports. Anti-social behaviour is also significant at 10.6%, followed by shoplifting at 7.8%. Property-related crime, encompassing burglary, vehicle crime, shoplifting, and various forms of theft, occurs at a combined rate of 14.9 per 1,000 residents. This includes 140 shoplifting incidents, 84 vehicle crimes, and 45 burglaries recorded over the year. For residents and homeowners, these figures suggest that while violent crime is the most frequent category, property security remains an important consideration, particularly regarding shoplifting in retail areas and vehicle-related offences. The burglary rate of 1.3 per 1,000 is exceptionally low, indicating that residential break-ins are rare compared to national benchmarks.

Locks Heath has experienced an upward trend in its crime rate over the past year, with a total increase of 7.7%. The monthly data for 2025 reveals some periodic fluctuations. The year began with a rate of 3.7 in January, peaking in March and May at 4.8 per 1,000 residents. Another notable rise to 4.7 was recorded in July and August. Throughout the rest of the year, the rate fluctuated between 3.3 and 4.6, before the year ended with a rate of 3.3 in December. This pattern suggests that while there are periodic increases in activity, particularly during the spring and summer months, the overall annual trend is one of moderate increase. Residents should remain vigilant year-round, as the recent annual increase indicates that safety levels are currently under more pressure than in previous years.

How To Keep Safe in Locks Heath

The most frequent crime in Locks Heath is violence and sexual offences, followed by anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. To stay safe and protect your property, consider these tips:

• Retail Awareness: For business owners in Locks Heath's retail centres, ensure your premises have clear sightlines and that high-value items are securely displayed. Shoplifting is a notable crime in the area.
• Home Security: While burglary rates are low, always ensure your home is fully locked when you are out. Motion-activated lighting can be an effective deterrent for opportunistic intruders.
• Overnight Vehicle Care: Vehicle crime peaks at 43% during the night-time hours. Always lock your car and avoid leaving any valuables visible inside. Parking in well-lit areas or a garage is recommended.
• Personal Safety: When walking in residential areas, especially after dark, stay alert and stick to well-lit main roads. Avoid distractions like mobile phones or headphones.
• Report Anti-Social Behaviour: ASB is the second most common crime in Locks Heath. Reporting incidents to the local police helps prevent low-level issues from escalating and maintains the area's safety.

Crime timing in Locks Heath reveals a clear shift in the types of offences throughout the day. Morning (6am - 12pm) and afternoon (12pm - 6pm) hours are dominated by theft, which accounts for 49% and 54% of reports respectively. This suggests that opportunistic crimes are most frequent during the working day. Evening hours (6pm - 12am) see a significant rise in 'Other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order offences, which make up 46% of reports during this period. As night falls (12am - 6am), vehicle crime becomes more prominent, surging to account for 43% of all reported incidents. Burglary also remains a consistent threat throughout the day, peaking at night (16%) and in the afternoon (15%). These patterns indicate that while daytime crime is largely focused on theft, the night-time hours present a higher risk to vehicles and residential property. Residents and business owners should prioritize afternoon home security and ensuring maximum vehicle protection overnight.

Compared to its neighbours, Locks Heath is safer than nearby Whiteley (64.8) and Hamble-le-Rice (54.9). It is, however, more active than the tiny settlements of Segensworth and Hook Park Estate, both of which recorded 0.0 crimes. Locks Heath's position as a residential area with significant retail facilities naturally results in more reported activity than its purely rural neighbours. For those seeking a safe residential area that still offers local amenities, Locks Heath provides a highly secure environment compared to the regional average, despite the recent increase in reported incidents.

Locks Heath's outstanding safety statistics and its low property crime rate of 14.9 per 1,000 are hallmarks of the area. However, the recent 7.7% increase in crime suggests that maintaining this security requires a proactive approach. Traditional CCTV systems are reactive; they only show you what happened after the fact. scOS provides a proactive alternative by using AI to detect threats at your property's perimeter before a crime occurs. In Locks Heath, where vehicle crime accounts for 43% of night-time incidents and burglary peaks at night and in the afternoon, scOS can offer vital protection. Its ability to monitor all cameras simultaneously and trigger autonomous deterrents like lighting or audio alerts can stop an intruder or car thief before they cause damage. By choosing a system that prevents crime rather than just recording it, you can help ensure Locks Heath remains one of the safest areas in the region, even as local trends shift.