Portsmouth Crime Rate October 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Portsmouth's October 2025 crime figures reveal a population of 214,321 residents experiencing 2,187 reported crimes, equating to 10.2 crimes per 1,000 people. This rate is 32.5% above the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000, underscoring the area's elevated risk profile compared to national benchmarks. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 40.2% of all incidents—4.1 per 1,000 residents, a figure 54% higher than the UK average. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, contributing 11.2% of total crimes, though it remained 13% below the UK average. The seasonal context of October—darker evenings, the clocks going back, and Halloween—may have influenced patterns, particularly in violent and property-related crimes. Shoplifting, at 1.1 per 1,000 residents, was 75% above the UK average, likely reflecting the city's retail density and high foot traffic in commercial areas. The overall crime mix shows a stark contrast between violent offences (40.2%) and property crimes (34%), with the remaining 25.8% comprising less common categories like drugs and burglary. This imbalance may be linked to Portsmouth's status as a coastal urban centre with a mix of historic sites, modern housing, and tourist attractions, which could drive both public order issues and targeted thefts.

October 2025 saw notable changes in specific crime categories. Possession of weapons rose by 81.0%, from 21 to 38 incidents, marking a sharp increase that may reflect heightened tensions or unseasonal activity. Criminal damage and arson also surged by 30.3%, reaching 172 cases—a figure 43% above the UK average. This rise could be linked to October's darker evenings and seasonal events like Halloween, which may contribute to increased property-related crimes. Conversely, vehicle crime fell by 23.4%, with 82 incidents reported, a decline likely tied to reduced commuter activity or seasonal shifts in parking patterns. The drop in public order offences by 14.5% (from 193 to 165) contrasts with the overall crime rate stability, illustrating a complex mix of trends. Shoplifting remained 75% above the UK average at 225 cases, highlighting persistent challenges in retail areas despite the month-on-month stability in total crimes.

Portsmouth's crime rate in October 2025 remained stable at 10.3 per 1,000, a 0.8% decrease from the previous month, suggesting consistent patterns in criminal activity. Daily crime figures reveal 71 incidents reported each day, translating to roughly one crime for every 98 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate provides a tangible sense of how frequently crime occurs in the area, though it does not account for variations in individual risk. When compared to the UK average, Portsmouth's rate remains significantly higher, but the month-on-month stability indicates no major shifts in overall criminal activity. The population context further highlights that, despite the elevated rate, the absolute number of crimes (2,187) is spread across a population of over 214,000, meaning most residents are not directly affected. This balance between statistical elevation and population scale offers a nuanced view of the area's crime profile, avoiding overstatement of risk for the majority of residents.