Portsmouth Crime Rate September 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Portsmouth's per-capita crime rate in September 2024 stood at 11.1 per 1,000 residents, placing it 44.2% above the UK average of 7.7. This figure translates to a daily risk of encountering a crime in one of every 12.5 hours, a statistic that highlights the persistent challenge of maintaining public safety in a city with a complex mix of urban, coastal, and historically significant areas. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 40.9% of all reported incidents—more than double the UK average for this category. This overrepresentation may be partly explained by Portsmouth's role as a major university city, where student populations and late-night social activity contribute to elevated rates of assault and disorder. Shoplifting, the second most common crime, rose to 10.1% of total incidents, likely driven by the city's high street retail presence and the seasonal influx of students. Public order offences (9.6% of total) also spiked to 76% above the UK average, possibly reflecting the impact of university freshers' week and the transition to darker evenings. These patterns align with seasonal rhythms, as September marks the return of students and the start of the academic term, both of which can influence crime dynamics in ways that differ from other months.

September saw a 39.2% increase in bicycle theft, jumping from 51 to 71 incidents—a sharp rise that may reflect heightened activity among university students returning to campus. Concurrently, possession of weapons rose by 15.6%, suggesting potential links to the influx of new residents during the freshers' period. In contrast, theft from the person fell by 42.3%, possibly due to increased police patrols or heightened awareness among residents. The crime mix also shifted notably: violent crimes (40.9% of total) remain high, with rates 76% above the UK average, while anti-social behaviour dropped by 38.5%—a decrease that could indicate the success of community engagement initiatives. Vehicle crime rose by 13.8%, tied to increased traffic during the busy start of the academic term.

Portsmouth's crime rate in September 2024 fell by 5.3% compared to August's 11.8 per 1,000, marking a slight improvement in overall safety. This translates to roughly 80 crimes reported daily across the city, a figure that underscores the persistent need for vigilance in public spaces. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 90 residents—a ratio that, while lower than August's 1-in-77, remains significantly higher than the UK average. The population-scaled perspective reveals that residents face a 1.1% chance of experiencing a crime in any given month, a rate that is 44.2% above the national average. This disparity is most pronounced in violent crimes, which remain 76% above the UK average. The reduction in anti-social behaviour (-38.5%) and theft from the person (-42.3%) suggests targeted interventions may be yielding results, though the city's elevated levels of violence and public order offences continue to demand attention.