Portsmouth Crime Rate September 2025 | Monthly Statistics

For every 1,000 residents in Portsmouth, 10.3 crimes were reported in September 2025 — 39.2% higher than the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000. This rate translates to a resident encountering a crime roughly once every 97 months, a figure that may feel more tangible when considering the daily rhythm of the city. The most common crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 39.2% of all reports, followed by shoplifting (11.4%) and anti-social behaviour (10.8%). These patterns align with Portsmouth’s character as a coastal port city with a significant student population and a bustling retail and entertainment sector. The seasonal context of September — back to school, university freshers, and shorter evenings — may partly explain the prominence of violence and sexual offences, as late-night activity in the city’s nightlife areas increases. Meanwhile, shoplifting spikes could reflect the return of students to university campuses and the proximity of major retail hubs. Anti-social behaviour, though slightly below the UK average, remains a persistent concern in densely populated areas. The overall crime rate highlights the importance of community safety initiatives, particularly in areas where foot traffic and transient populations intersect.

September 2025 saw significant fluctuations in crime types, with some categories rising sharply while others declined. Vehicle crime surged by 189.2%, jumping from 37 to 107 incidents, a shift that may reflect increased car usage during the autumn season or changes in parking patterns. Burglary also rose by 141.2%, potentially linked to the return of students and the increased value of items stored in homes during the academic year. Conversely, violence and sexual offences fell by 43.5%, from 1,529 to 864 incidents, a decrease that could be attributed to the end of the summer tourist season or heightened policing efforts in high-risk areas. Violence and sexual offences in Portsmouth (4.0 per 1,000) remain 55% above the UK average, underscoring the city’s ongoing challenges with this category. Other crime, a relatively minor category, saw an extraordinary 308.3% increase, from 12 to 49 cases, suggesting a possible underreporting or reclassification of incidents in previous months. These shifts illustrate the dynamic nature of crime in a city balancing tourism, education, and daily urban life.

Portsmouth’s crime rate in September 2025 (10.3 per 1,000) marked a 7.8% decline from the previous month’s rate of 11.2 per 1,000, indicating a slight improvement in overall safety. On a daily basis, this translates to approximately 73 crimes reported each day — a figure that, while specific to Portsmouth, provides a tangible sense of local risk. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 97 residents, a monthly exposure that, while lower than the previous month, still places the city above the UK average. When considering the population of 214,321, the 2,204 total crimes reported in September highlight the need for targeted interventions in high-risk areas. The city’s crime profile contrasts sharply with the UK average in several categories: violence and sexual offences are 55% higher, shoplifting is 97% higher, and bicycle theft is 186% higher — all of which may reflect Portsmouth’s unique mix of urban density, student populations, and tourism. However, burglary in the city (0.2 per 1,000) is 29% below the UK average, possibly due to effective local policing or the presence of secure housing stock in certain areas.