Fleet Crime Rate July 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 42,305 residents, Fleet recorded 170 crimes in July 2023. This equates to a crime rate of 4.0 per 1,000 people—51.8% below the UK average of 8.3 per 1,000. The area’s crime profile reflects a mix of urban and rural characteristics, with summer activity patterns influencing certain categories. Violence and sexual offences (61 incidents, 35.9% of total crimes) were the most prevalent category, followed by anti-social behaviour (28 incidents, 16.5%) and criminal damage and arson (24 incidents, 14.1%). These figures align with the seasonal context of July, a peak summer month with schools out and tourism activity at its height. The relatively low overall rate suggests effective community policing or environmental factors that deter crime, though the high proportion of violent offences may indicate local tensions or unmet demand for specialist services. Property crimes, while lower than violent offences, still accounted for 35.3% of the total (60 incidents), with shoplifting and vehicle crime showing notable underperformance compared to UK averages. The data also reveals a 67% shortfall in shoplifting incidents compared to the UK average, potentially reflecting the area’s limited retail presence or successful local deterrence strategies. This snapshot of Fleet’s crime profile underscores the need for targeted interventions in violent crime while maintaining the positive trends in property-related offences.

July 2023 saw sharp increases in shoplifting (+300%) and criminal damage and arson (+118%) compared to June, with shoplifting rising from 2 to 8 incidents. This surge in shoplifting may be linked to summer tourism, though the rate remains 67% below the UK average. Conversely, robbery and other crime both fell by 50% (from 2 to 1 and 4 to 2 respectively), suggesting improved security measures or reduced opportunities. The breakdown of crime types reveals a stark contrast to the UK average: violence and sexual offences in Fleet were 50% below the national rate, while anti-social behaviour was 51% below and public order offences 52% below. These disparities may reflect Fleet’s relatively stable community environment or effective local enforcement. Possession of weapons was 25% above the UK average (0.1 vs 0.1 per 1,000), indicating a small but significant local concern. For residents, the 57% reduction in robbery incidents from June offers a tangible indicator of improved safety in high-traffic areas, though the rise in criminal damage and arson warrants closer monitoring for potential underlying issues such as vandalism or arson linked to seasonal events.

Fleet’s crime rate in July 2023 (4.0 per 1,000) marked a 6.9% increase from June’s 3.8 per 1,000, though it remains well below the UK average. Translating this into daily context, the area experienced approximately 5 crimes per day over the month—a figure that, while modest, includes violent incidents and property offences. On a monthly basis, this equates to 1 reported crime for every 249 residents, a ratio that highlights the relatively low exposure compared to larger urban centres. When scaled to Fleet’s population, the 4.0 per 1,000 rate means that over 169 residents would experience a crime in a year, assuming consistent patterns. This compares favourably to UK-wide figures, where the average resident faces nearly double the risk. The daily crime count, while seemingly high in absolute terms, is proportionally low given Fleet’s population size and built-up area classification. The 6.9% month-on-month increase, though statistically significant, may be attributed to seasonal factors such as increased foot traffic during festivals or the absence of school-age residents during summer holidays. For residents, the 1-in-249 monthly exposure rate provides a concrete benchmark for understanding personal risk, though the mix of crime types—particularly the prominence of violent offences—suggests targeted community initiatives may still be needed.