Local Area Crime Statistics

Test Valley Crime Rate

Crime is stable and LOW in Test Valley

Test Valley reports a crime rate of 61.3 per 1,000 residents, significantly safer than the UK average. Discover detailed crime statistics and safety insights for Test Valley.

Overall Crime Rate

61.3
per 1,000 people
34% lower than UK avg

Property Crime Rate

19.6
per 1,000 people
41% lower than UK avg

Based on population of 135,201 over 12 months

Crime Statistics Summary for Test Valley

Data last updated: September 2025. Source: Police.uk, ONS, Home Office.

Crime rates per 1,000 people in Test Valley
Overall Crime Rate61.3 per 1,000 people
Property Crime Rate19.6 per 1,000 people
UK Average Crime Rate93.4 per 1,000 people
UK Average Property Crime Rate33.2 per 1,000 people
Safety Score85 out of 100
Population135,201
Trendstable
Comparisonsignificantly lower than UK average
Crime Breakdown by Type in Test Valley
Crime TypeTotal CountPer 1,000 PeoplePercentage of Total
Violence and sexual offences3,61326.744%
Anti-social behaviour9356.911%
Shoplifting6364.78%
Criminal damage and arson5854.37%
Public order5504.17%
Other theft5494.17%
Burglary3892.95%
Vehicle crime3722.84%
Drugs2601.93%
Other crime1741.32%
Possession of weapons1050.81%
Bicycle theft490.41%
Robbery350.30%
Theft from the person290.20%

Introduction to Crime in Test Valley

Test Valley records an overall crime rate of 61.3 crimes per 1,000 residents per year, positioning it as a notably safer area compared to the national average of 93.4 per 1,000. The safety score for Test Valley stands at a reassuring 85 out of 100, which is considerably higher than the UK average safety score of 78. This indicates a generally low crime environment. Recent data shows a stable trend in crime, with a slight decrease of 3.1% year-over-year. This introduction provides a snapshot of Test Valley's crime landscape, with further sections offering a deeper dive into specific crime types, trends, and localised insights.

About Test Valley

Test Valley, a Local Authority District, encompasses a diverse landscape ranging from bustling market towns to tranquil rural villages. Its crime statistics are influenced by a blend of characteristics, including both residential and agricultural areas, alongside some commercial centres and transport routes. The district's population of 135,201 residents is spread across these varied environments. Major employers, local amenities, and connectivity to larger hubs like Southampton and Winchester can contribute to certain crime patterns, such as shoplifting in commercial zones or vehicle crime along transport corridors. The generally lower population density in many parts, combined with a strong community feel in many villages, likely contributes to its higher safety score compared to more densely populated urban areas, fostering a sense of security among its residents.

Crime Types Breakdown

Violence and sexual offences
3,613 incidents (26.7 per 1,000)
Anti-social behaviour
935 incidents (6.9 per 1,000)
Shoplifting
636 incidents (4.7 per 1,000)
Criminal damage and arson
585 incidents (4.3 per 1,000)
Public order
550 incidents (4.1 per 1,000)
Other theft
549 incidents (4.1 per 1,000)
Burglary
389 incidents (2.9 per 1,000)
Vehicle crime
372 incidents (2.8 per 1,000)
Drugs
260 incidents (1.9 per 1,000)
Other crime
174 incidents (1.3 per 1,000)
Possession of weapons
105 incidents (0.8 per 1,000)
Bicycle theft
49 incidents (0.4 per 1,000)
Robbery
35 incidents (0.3 per 1,000)
Theft from the person
29 incidents (0.2 per 1,000)

Crime Rate Trend

7.5% change(over 12 months)
Test Valley
UK Average

Compare Test Valley with similar populations

Test Valley has a 34.4% lower crime rate than the UK average.

Crime Type Analysis in Test Valley

An examination of crime types in Test Valley reveals that Violence and sexual offences constitute the most frequent category, accounting for 3,613 crimes (26.7 per 1,000, 43.6% of total incidents). Following this, Anti-social behaviour is the second most common, with 935 crimes (6.9 per 1,000, 11.3% of total). Shoplifting ranks as the third most prevalent, with 636 incidents (4.7 per 1,000, 7.7% of total). Focusing on property-related crime, which includes burglary, theft, and vehicle crime, Test Valley experiences a rate of 19.6 per 1,000 residents. This is considerably lower than the national property crime average of 33.2 per 1,000. Specific property crimes include 389 burglaries (2.9 per 1,000), 372 vehicle crimes (2.8 per 1,000), 549 other thefts (4.1 per 1,000), 585 criminal damage and arson incidents (4.3 per 1,000), 49 bicycle thefts (0.4 per 1,000), 35 robberies (0.3 per 1,000), and 29 thefts from the person (0.2 per 1,000). For residents and homeowners, these figures suggest that while general crime is lower than the UK average, vigilance regarding property security, particularly against theft and vehicle-related offences, remains important.

Crime Trends in Test Valley

Over the past year, Test Valley has experienced a stable crime trend, with a modest decrease of 3.1% in overall crime rates year-over-year. This indicates that the crime situation has remained relatively consistent, with a slight improvement. Analysing the monthly trend data provides a more granular view of this stability. The crime rate per 1,000 residents fluctuated throughout the year, with notable peaks in March 2025 (5.6 per 1,000) and July 2025 (5.9 per 1,000). Conversely, January 2025 recorded a lower rate of 4.4 per 1,000, and September 2025 ended the period with 4.9 per 1,000. These fluctuations suggest seasonal or short-term variations rather than a dramatic shift in crime patterns. For residents, a stable to slightly decreasing trend is reassuring, indicating that the area is maintaining its relatively safe status. Ongoing monitoring of these monthly figures can help identify any emerging patterns or areas requiring attention.

Crime in Nearby Areas

When comparing Test Valley to its neighbouring areas, a clearer regional safety context emerges. Test Valley’s overall crime rate of 61.3 per 1,000 residents and a safety score of 85/100 positions it favourably against many of its neighbours. For instance, areas like Southampton, which is a larger urban centre, typically experience higher crime rates due to increased population density and diverse activities. Winchester and Fareham often present similar safety profiles to Test Valley, reflecting a shared semi-rural or suburban character. Eastleigh and Basingstoke and Deane, while also having distinct characteristics, provide useful comparisons for understanding crime distribution across different types of communities within the region. New Forest, known for its rural expanses, might exhibit different crime patterns, often with lower overall rates but potentially specific types like rural crime. This regional perspective helps residents understand Test Valley's standing within the broader local context.

Protecting Your Property in Test Valley

Given Test Valley's property crime rate of 19.6 per 1,000 residents, which is lower than the national average, it remains crucial for homeowners to consider robust security measures. While traditional security cameras like Ring or Nest record incidents after they occur, effective protection focuses on preventing crime before it happens. This proactive approach is where advanced systems like scOS truly differentiate themselves. scOS is an AI-powered home security operating system designed to deter threats at your property boundary. Instead of merely documenting a burglary, scOS intervenes in real-time. Its multi-camera intelligence watches all areas simultaneously, detecting suspicious activity and preventing potential intruders from gaining entry. Features like DVLA vehicle verification can identify suspicious vehicles instantly, while pattern learning helps the system recognise your family and routines, ensuring alerts are only for genuine threats. This autonomous response, activating lights and speakers, is designed to destroy the element of surprise that burglars rely on, often making them move on within 60 seconds. For those seeking serious protection beyond reactive recording, professional-grade systems like scOS offer a significant advantage in safeguarding your home against property crime.

Ready to stop reading statistics and start protecting what matters?

About Our Crime Statistics

Official government data sources for Test Valley

4,392+
UK Locations Monitored
19M+
Data Records
100%
Government Sources

Crime Rate Methodology

We determine crime rates by calculating recorded offences per 1,000 residents. This standardised metric enables meaningful comparisons between different-sized regions across the UK.

Information Sources

Official UK government databases provide all crime and demographic information, including Police.uk for offence records and ONS for population data. Statistics are compiled across town, district, and national boundaries.

Mathematical Formula

Rate per 1,000 = (Offences / Population) × 1,000

We exclusively use official UK government information sources:

  • Police.ukRecorded crime data from England and Wales' 43 territorial police forces
  • Office for National StatisticsDemographic data and Crime Survey statistics
  • Home OfficeNational offence records and crime policy information
  • FOI RequestsSupplementary data from direct police force requests
We monitor crime data across 4,392+ locations throughout England and Wales, covering the majority of significant towns, cities, and county areas. Greater Manchester locations are presently excluded due to data access limitations. Updates occur promptly following new official data releases (approximately bimonthly), with historical records preserved for trend tracking.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

Last updated: September 2025

New data is released by Police.uk approximately every two months

Spotted incorrect data or something that doesn't look right? Let us know and we'll investigate.