Portsmouth Crime Rate June 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Portsmouth's crime rate in June 2024 stood at 10.4 per 1,000 residents, placing it 26.8% above the UK average of 8.2. This marked discrepancy highlights the city's unique challenges, particularly in the realm of violent crime. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 41.7% of all reported incidents, far exceeding the UK average rate of 2.8 per 1,000 (which would correspond to 26.8% of the UK's total crime rate). The dominance of this category may be partly explained by Portsmouth's status as a major urban centre with a significant population density, where social interactions and public spaces can become focal points for conflict. Public order offences (10.5% of total crimes) also stood out, 80% above the UK average, a figure that aligns with the city's coastal character and the influx of tourists during summer months. Anti-social behaviour, while slightly below the UK average (21% below), still represented a notable 10.2% of total crimes, suggesting ongoing challenges in community cohesion. Seasonal factors likely played a role in these patterns, with the start of summer and the associated increase in public activity potentially contributing to both violent and disorderly incidents. The relatively low rate of burglary (0.2 per 1,000) compared to the UK average (0.3 per 1,000) could reflect the city's urban layout and the presence of local policing initiatives, though this remains an area for further analysis.

June saw a 28.6% increase in theft from the person, rising from 14 to 18 incidents. This spike, though small in absolute terms, may partly explain the 41.7% share of total crimes attributed to violence and sexual offences, which are 56% above the UK average. Conversely, 'other crime' fell by 35.3% (51 to 33), a drop that could reflect the seasonal shift in criminal activity toward public spaces. The possession of weapons category rose sharply by 22.2% (36 to 44), an 186% above the UK average rate, suggesting potential links to summer nights and increased social gatherings. Meanwhile, vehicle crime increased by 19.5% (82 to 98), a trend consistent with the start of the tourist season and higher foot traffic in areas with parking facilities. These fluctuations illustrate the combination of seasonal factors and local conditions in shaping crime patterns.

Portsmouth's crime rate in June 2024 fell by 3.9% compared to the previous month, dropping from 10.9 to 10.4 per 1,000 residents. This decline, though modest, reflects a slight easing in pressure on local policing resources. On a daily basis, the area recorded an average of 74 crimes per day, a figure that underscores the persistent volume of incidents despite the monthly decrease. When viewed through the lens of population, the monthly exposure rate means that one resident in every 96 experienced a reported crime over the course of June. This metric, while not directly comparable to UK-wide figures, highlights the local context of crime density in a city with a population of over 214,000. The drop from May to June aligns with seasonal patterns typical of a coastal city, where warmer weather and the start of the tourist season often shift crime dynamics toward public spaces and open areas rather than residential zones.