Portsmouth Crime Rate May 2025 | Monthly Statistics

In May 2025, Portsmouth's crime rate of 11.1 per 1,000 residents placed it 37% above the UK average, highlighting a persistent challenge in maintaining public safety. The city's crime profile was dominated by violent offences, which accounted for 40.3% of all reported crimes—over 59% higher than the UK average. This imbalance between violent and property crimes suggests a combination of factors, including the city's urban density, its status as a major port, and the social dynamics of its diverse population. Shoplifting, at 11.8% of total crimes, was 94% above the UK average, a figure that aligns with Portsmouth's well-established retail and tourist sectors, particularly in areas like the historic docks and the city centre. Seasonal factors in May, such as extended daylight hours and the start of the summer social season, may have contributed to increased opportunities for crime, particularly in public spaces where outdoor drinking and socialising have become more prevalent. Despite these challenges, anti-social behaviour—while still present at 10.4% of total crimes—was 15% below the UK average, possibly reflecting local initiatives or policing strategies that have mitigated some forms of disorder. The city's crime picture remains heavily weighted towards violent incidents, which may indicate underlying socioeconomic pressures or gaps in community support systems that require further attention.

May 2025 saw sharp increases in theft from the person (+42.9%), burglary (+36.4%), and robbery (+28.6%), with theft from the person rising from seven to ten incidents. These spikes suggest a shift in crime patterns, potentially linked to increased foot traffic in retail and entertainment areas during May's longer evenings. Violent crime remains the dominant category, accounting for 40.3% of all reported crimes, a figure 59% above the UK average. Shoplifting, at 11.8% of total crimes, was 94% above the UK average, likely reflecting the city's high-density retail environment. Conversely, anti-social behaviour (10.4% of crimes) was 15% below the UK average, a contrast that may indicate effective local policing in public spaces. Residents should note the 36.4% rise in burglary, which could signal increased vulnerability in certain neighbourhoods during the spring season.

Portsmouth's crime rate in May 2025 rose to 11.1 per 1,000 residents, marking an 11.4% increase from April's 9.9 per 1,000. This places the city significantly above the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000, a gap that has widened over recent months. On a daily basis, approximately 76 crimes were reported each day in May, reflecting a consistent rhythm of activity across the city's bustling ports, retail zones, and residential areas. When scaled to the population, the monthly exposure translates to one reported crime for roughly every 90 residents, a figure that underscores the frequency of incidents in a densely populated urban environment. This rate is higher than the previous month, suggesting a potential seasonal uptick aligned with May's extended evenings and increased outdoor socialising, which may contribute to heightened opportunities for crime in public spaces.