Freshwater and Totland Crime Rate February 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Freshwater and Totland, a built-up area on the Isle of Wight, recorded a crime rate of 6.1 per 1,000 residents in February 2025—9% below the UK average of 6.7 per 1,000. This places the area in a relatively safer position nationally, though local crime patterns reveal distinct characteristics. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 49.1% of all incidents (26 cases), with a rate of 3.0 per 1,000. This figure is 28% above the UK average for the same category, suggesting a specific challenge in managing violent crime despite the overall lower rate. Anti-social behaviour followed with 15.1% of incidents (8 cases), while property crimes made up a smaller share (12 cases, 22.6% of total). The winter month's low outdoor activity likely contributed to the relatively low levels of public order and vehicle-related crimes, though the sharp rise in anti-social behaviour may reflect increased indoor socialisation during colder weather. The area's proximity to the Isle of Wight's coastal tourism infrastructure may influence seasonal variations, with February's pre-spring lull dampening crime levels compared to busier months. However, the higher-than-average violent crime rate indicates a need for targeted interventions in this category. The overall stability in crime compared to the UK average reflects the area's unique blend of rural-adjacent living and limited urban density, though local policing strategies must address the elevated risk of violence to maintain this positive trend.

February 2025 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with anti-social behaviour doubling from four to eight incidents—a 100% increase—likely linked to colder weather driving more indoor gatherings. Burglary also rose sharply, jumping from zero to two cases, though this may reflect improved reporting rather than a true surge in incidents. Conversely, public order offences fell by 50%, from eight to four, consistent with the winter lull in outdoor activity typical of the Isle of Wight. Violence and sexual offences, the most common category, decreased by 16.1% compared to January, possibly due to reduced foot traffic in the area during the pre-spring lull. The area's violent crime rate (3.0 per 1,000) was 28% above the UK average, highlighting a specific vulnerability in this category despite the overall lower crime rate. Residents may find the 9% gap from the UK average reassuring, though targeted measures for violence prevention could still be warranted.

Freshwater and Totland's crime rate in February 2025 remained stable compared to the previous month, declining slightly from 6.2 to 6.1 per 1,000 residents. This consistency suggests no major spikes or drops in overall criminal activity, though local patterns still diverge from national trends. On a daily basis, the area recorded an average of two crimes per day, a figure that aligns with the low population density and rural-adjacent character of the built-up area. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 164 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the relatively low frequency of incidents compared to the UK average. When scaled to the area's population of 8,705, this translates to a manageable burden on local policing resources, though the proximity to the Isle of Wight's tourism hubs may introduce seasonal fluctuations in specific crime types. The stability in the rate contrasts with the UK's slightly higher national average, reflecting the area's unique demographic and geographic profile.