Portsmouth Crime Rate April 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences drive Portsmouth's crime profile in April 2025, accounting for nearly 37% of all reported crimes. At 9.9 per 1,000 residents, the area’s crime rate is 28.6% higher than the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000, a gap that underscores persistent challenges in addressing violent crime. This category alone exceeds the UK average by 42%, with 3.7 per 1,000 residents affected—a stark contrast to the national figure of 2.6 per 1,000. Shoplifting follows closely, contributing 12.1% of total crimes and 82% above the UK average, likely linked to the city’s retail hubs and high foot traffic during the Easter period. Anti-social behaviour, while slightly below the UK average, remains a notable concern, reflecting patterns common in densely populated urban centres. The seasonal context of April, with its spring weather and increased outdoor activity, may partly explain the elevated rates of violence and public order offences, which often surge during holidays and festivals. However, the data also reveals a nuanced picture: burglary and theft from the person are both below the UK average, suggesting that certain areas or demographics may be less vulnerable to property crimes. This mix of trends highlights the combination of local factors, from economic pressures to community engagement, in shaping crime dynamics.

April 2025 saw significant month-on-month shifts in Portsmouth’s crime profile. Other theft rose by 36.3%, climbing from 102 to 139 incidents—a jump that could reflect heightened opportunism during the Easter holiday season. Robbery also increased by 31.3%, with 21 reported cases, marking a sharp contrast to the previous month’s 16. These rises align with the UK-wide trend of increased property-related crimes during spring, though Portsmouth’s rates for these categories remain higher than the national average. Conversely, theft from the person fell by 46.2%, dropping from 13 to 7, a decline that may indicate improved security measures or reduced pedestrian activity in key areas. Public order offences also decreased by 17.9%, from 234 to 192, linked to local initiatives targeting anti-social behaviour during the Easter period. The city’s violent crime category remains starkly elevated, with a 42% gap above the UK average, while shoplifting and public order offences are 82% and 67% above national levels, respectively. These figures suggest that Portsmouth’s urban environment, with its mix of tourist attractions and residential areas, continues to face unique pressures that differentiate it from other parts of the UK.

Portsmouth’s crime rate in April 2025 dropped slightly from 10.2 per 1,000 in March, a 3.0% decrease that may reflect seasonal adjustments or temporary reductions in certain crime types. On a daily basis, the city recorded approximately 71 crimes per day, a figure that translates to one reported crime for every 101 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate, while higher than the UK average, is tempered by the fact that some categories, such as burglary and theft from the person, are below the national norm. The population context further illustrates the scale: with 214,321 residents, the 2,129 total crimes equate to roughly 1% of the population being directly affected. This statistic, while sobering, does not capture the full impact of crime on communities, as many incidents may go unreported or have indirect consequences. The comparison to the UK average also highlights Portsmouth’s distinct challenges: while the city’s overall rate is 28.6% higher than the national figure, its performance varies significantly across crime types. For instance, the rate of violence and sexual offences is 42% above the UK average, whereas burglary is 26% below. These disparities underscore the importance of tailored strategies to address specific local issues, such as violence in public spaces or shoplifting in retail areas, without overgeneralising from the national data.