Waterlooville Crime Rate

Waterlooville Crime Overview

Waterlooville currently enjoys a high level of safety, with an overall crime rate of 68.4 per 1,000 people, which is significantly lower than the UK national average of 93.1. This is further reflected in the town's impressive safety score of 82/100, placing it well above the UK average of 78. The crime trend in Waterlooville is classified as stable, showing a minor increase of 0.8% over the last year. Property crime is also notably low at 18.2 per 1,000, compared to the UK average of 32.9. These figures suggest that Waterlooville is one of the safer urban settlements in the region, making it an attractive location for families and individuals seeking a secure environment. The following data provides a comprehensive breakdown of the local crime landscape.

Crime Breakdown in Waterlooville

Waterlooville's crime landscape is heavily dominated by violence and sexual offences, which account for 49.1% of all reported incidents. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 10.2% and shoplifting at 9.7%. Together, these three categories make up approximately 69% of the total crime in the area.

Property crime in Waterlooville is exceptionally low, with a rate of 18.2 per 1,000 people, which is nearly half the UK national average of 32.9. This total includes shoplifting (9.7%), other theft (5.4%), criminal damage and arson (5.4%), and vehicle crime (2.8%). Burglary is quite rare, accounting for only 2.2% of total reported crimes. For residents, this suggests that while personal safety and anti-social behaviour are the primary concerns for local authorities, the risk to homes and vehicles is significantly lower than in most other UK urban settlements. The overall stable trend in crime further reinforces Waterlooville's reputation as a safe place to live.

Waterlooville Crime Trends

The crime trend in Waterlooville is currently stable, with a minor year-over-year increase of 0.8%. This indicates that the area is maintaining its high safety standards and remains a secure residential environment.

Looking at the monthly data for 2024 and 2025, the crime rate has remained consistently low. The lowest point was in February 2025, recording a rate of 4.6 per 1,000. While there was a slight seasonal increase during the summer and autumn months—peaking at 6.9 in October 2025—the rate remained well below national averages throughout the year. This stability is a strong indicator of a safe and well-managed urban area.

How To Keep Safe in Waterlooville

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Waterlooville, accounting for nearly 50% of all reports. While the area is generally very safe, taking proactive steps can further enhance your personal security.

1. Be Aware in Public Spaces: When walking through the town centre or near retail areas, stay alert to your surroundings and keep personal belongings secure to prevent opportunistic theft.
2. Secure Your Property: Given that burglary and vehicle crime peak at night, always ensure your home is locked and your car is parked in a well-lit area or garage if possible.
3. Report Anti-Social Behaviour: ASB is the second most frequent issue; reporting these incidents promptly helps local authorities manage public spaces effectively.
4. Utilise Well-Lit Routes: When walking at night, stick to main roads and paths that are well-lit, avoiding shortcuts through isolated parks or unlit areas.
5. Install Smart Home Lighting: Use timed or motion-activated lighting around your home to deter potential intruders and increase visibility during the evening hours.

Waterlooville Crime Timing Patterns

Crime in Waterlooville follows specific temporal trends. During the morning (6am - 12pm), theft is the primary concern at 49%, followed by vehicle crime at 13%. Afternoon hours see theft-related offences rise further to 53%, while burglary also reaches 14% of activity in this period.

In the evening (6pm - 12am), 'other' crimes—including anti-social behaviour and public order—make up 51% of total reports. However, the night-time period (12am - 6am) shows a dramatic shift toward property crime, with burglary surging to 17% and vehicle crime to 36% of all incidents. This suggests that while daytime activity is largely focused on retail and commercial theft, the hours of darkness pose a very specific and significant risk to homeowners and vehicle owners.

Nearby Areas Comparison

In the local context of the Havant and Hampshire area, Waterlooville (68.4) is a very safe urban option. It has a significantly lower crime rate than neighbouring Havant (122.0). However, it is slightly more active than the quieter suburban areas of Denmead (36.0) and Horndean (51.9). Nearby Rowlands Castle also reported a low rate of 61.5 per 1,000 people. For residents, Waterlooville offers a balanced urban environment with superior safety scores, providing a more secure alternative to some of the busier urban centres in the region while maintaining excellent local amenities and transport links.

Proactive Security in Waterlooville

While Waterlooville is statistically one of the safer areas in the region, its property crime rate of 18.2 per 1,000 still presents risks, particularly regarding burglary and vehicle crime, which together account for 5.0% of all incidents. Burglary and vehicle crime both peak during the night-time hours when properties are most vulnerable. Traditional security systems, such as basic cameras or alarms, often only alert you after a crime has been committed.

For residents who want the highest level of protection, a proactive AI-powered system like scOS is the ideal solution. By monitoring camera feeds in real-time, scOS can identify a potential intruder or car thief at the boundary of your property. Instead of just recording the incident, the system can autonomously trigger deterrents like lighting and audio warnings to stop the crime before it happens. In an area like Waterlooville, where overall crime is low but property protection remains a priority, scOS provides the proactive deterrence needed to ensure your home remains a hard target.