Portsmouth Crime Rate July 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Portsmouth's crime rate in July 2025 stood at 11.7 per 1,000 residents, placing it 36% above the UK average of 8.6 per 1,000. This marked a significant increase from the previous month's rate of 9.7 per 1,000, reflecting the challenges of a peak summer period in a coastal city with high tourist activity and large public events. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 39.5% of total incidents—51% above the UK average for this category. Anti-social behaviour followed at 13.0%, though it remained 3% below the UK average, possibly reflecting local community initiatives or seasonal variations in public space usage. Shoplifting, which contributes 8.6% of all crimes, saw a notable decline of 11.5% from June, a trend that may be linked to increased retail security measures or changes in summer shopping patterns. The seasonal context of July—characterised by school holidays, festivals, and a surge in tourism—likely contributes to the elevated levels of violent crime and public order offences, as crowded spaces and extended evening hours can amplify opportunities for conflict and disorder. However, the relatively lower incidence of anti-social behaviour compared to the UK average suggests that local policing strategies or community engagement efforts may be effectively mitigating some forms of disruptive activity. The city's dual role as a tourist destination and a working port means that crime patterns here often reflect a combination of transient populations, retail dynamics, and maritime influences, making the July data particularly informative for understanding how seasonal factors interact with local geography to shape criminal activity.

July 2025 saw a stark contrast in crime trends, with some categories showing marked improvement while others surged. The most significant decrease was in shoplifting, which fell by 11.5% compared to June, bringing the rate to 1.0 per 1,000 residents. This decline may be attributed to heightened retail security during the summer tourist season or a shift in consumer behaviour. Conversely, burglary rates rose sharply by 93%, jumping from 43 to 83 incidents, a figure that is 48% above the UK average for this category. This increase could be linked to the heightened presence of transient populations during the summer, creating more opportunities for property crimes. Another notable rise was in possession of weapons, which increased by 50% to 33 incidents—150% above the UK average. This spike may be associated with the city's summer festivals and outdoor events, where larger crowds could contribute to an uptick in such offences. Anti-social behaviour also rose by 27.5%, reaching 325 incidents, though this remained 3% below the UK average. In contrast, theft from the person decreased by 27.3%, dropping to 16 incidents—a 33% reduction from the UK average for this category. This decline may reflect the effectiveness of local policing during peak tourist hours or increased awareness among residents and visitors. These fluctuations highlight the combination of seasonal dynamics, local policing efforts, and the unique characteristics of Portsmouth as a coastal city with significant tourism and maritime activity.

Portsmouth's crime rate in July 2025 was 11.7 per 1,000 residents, marking a 19.7% increase from June's rate of 9.7 per 1,000. This rise underscores the challenges of managing crime during the summer months in a city that experiences a surge in both residents and visitors. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 81 crimes per day in July, a figure that provides a tangible sense of the frequency of incidents faced by locals and visitors alike. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 86 residents—a statistic that illustrates the density of criminal activity relative to the population. This monthly exposure rate, while concerning, must be contextualised within Portsmouth's unique demographic and geographic profile as a coastal city with a significant tourism sector. The population of 214,321 means that the absolute number of crimes—2,499—translates to a relatively high rate of incidents per capita, particularly when compared to the UK average. The increase in violent crime and property offences compared to the previous month suggests that factors such as the summer festival season, extended daylight hours, and the influx of transient populations may be contributing to the elevated rates. However, the relatively lower incidence of anti-social behaviour compared to the UK average and the decline in theft from the person offer some reassurance that targeted interventions or community-focused policing efforts may be having a measurable impact.