Odiham Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Odiham's February 2024 crime profile illustrates a continued divergence from national trends, with the area's overall rate of 3.5 crimes per 1,000 residents remaining 50.7% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. This sustained gap, though not unexpected for a built-up area within Hart, underscores the effectiveness of local policing strategies and the area's generally lower risk profile. The breakdown of crimes reveals a pattern dominated by violence and sexual offences (36.8% of total), followed by criminal damage and arson (21.1%) and other theft (21.1%). These figures align with the characteristics of a small urban centre where retail and community spaces may drive certain crime types. Seasonal factors likely contribute to the overall lower activity, as February's cold weather and pre-spring lull typically see reduced outdoor activity and fewer opportunities for crimes requiring public interaction. The rate for violence and sexual offences (1.3 per 1,000) is particularly striking, being 48% below the UK average, a figure that may reflect both demographic factors and the area's compact size, which can facilitate quicker police response times. Conversely, 'other crime'—a category encompassing a range of non-specific incidents—rose sharply to 3.0 per 1,000, 329% above the UK average. This anomaly warrants cautious interpretation, as the category's vagueness may obscure underlying trends. The data suggests that while Odiham remains a relatively safe area, specific pockets of activity—particularly in the 'other crime' category—require further scrutiny. The month's context as a winter period also likely influenced the balance between property and violent crimes, with colder weather reducing opportunities for outdoor theft while increasing indoor disputes. Overall, the data illustrates an area where systemic safety measures appear to be working, though targeted interventions may still be needed to address emerging patterns.

February saw notable reductions in criminal damage and arson, which fell by 33.3% from six incidents in January to four. This decline aligns with the seasonal context of a winter month, where low outdoor activity may limit opportunities for such crimes. Conversely, other crime categories showed sharp increases: 'other crime' rose 100% from zero to three incidents, and 'other theft' doubled from two to four. These jumps, while statistically significant, remain relatively low in absolute terms. Violence and sexual offences, the most common category at 36.8% of total crimes, fell by 12.5% compared to January, a shift that may reflect targeted policing efforts or seasonal factors. Odiham's rate for violence and sexual offences (1.3 per 1,000) is 48% below the UK average, highlighting the area's consistently lower exposure to this category despite the small month-on-month fluctuation.

Odiham's February 2024 crime rate of 3.5 per 1,000 residents marks a 5.5% increase from the previous month's 3.3 per 1,000. This rise, though modest, contrasts with the area's broader trend of remaining 50.7% below the UK average. On a daily basis, the 19 reported crimes over 29 days equate to roughly one crime per day, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents for local residents. Over the course of February, one crime occurred for every 287 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the relatively low frequency of incidents in this built-up area. When viewed against Hart's broader demographic profile, Odiham's population of 5,455 residents means that each resident faces a crime risk significantly lower than the UK average, though the slight month-on-month increase suggests the need for continued monitoring of local patterns.