Andover Crime Rate

Andover is a safe and stable town in Hampshire, with a current crime rate of 74.1 per 1,000 people. This is notably lower than the UK national average of 91.7, contributing to a solid safety score of 81/100. The town's crime trend is moving in a positive direction, showing a significant 8.2% decrease year-over-year. For the 49,613 residents, these figures reflect a secure urban environment where safety is better than in many other parts of the country. This report provides a detailed breakdown of local crime statistics to help you understand the safety landscape in Andover and how to stay secure.

In Andover, violence and sexual offences are by far the most common crime type, accounting for 50.3% of all reported incidents. This is followed by anti-social behaviour (12.2%) and public order offences (8.1%). These figures indicate that over 70% of the town's crime is social or personal in nature.

When looking at property crime collectively—which includes burglary, vehicle crime, shoplifting, and various thefts—the rate in Andover is 16.1 per 1,000 residents. Criminal damage and arson (6.3%), other theft (4.9%), and shoplifting (4.3%) are the main contributors to this figure. Burglary (2.0%) and vehicle crime (1.8%) are relatively uncommon. For residents, this means that while personal safety and public order are the primary focus of local statistics, property crime remains a factor. Homeowners should still take basic precautions, as the combined volume of property-related offences still impacts hundreds of households each year.

Crime in Andover is currently on a significant downward trend, with a 8.2% year-over-year decrease in total offences. Analysis of the monthly data from December 2024 to November 2025 shows a relatively stable pattern, with crime rates per 1,000 people mostly ranging between 5.6 and 6.8.

The highest rates were recorded in March and July 2025, both at 6.8. The lowest rate was in January 2025 at 5.6. The latter half of the year saw consistent figures around the 6.1 to 6.2 mark. This steady performance, combined with the overall annual reduction, is a very positive indicator for the town. It suggests that local policing and community safety efforts are successfully reducing crime and making Andover a safer place for its residents.

How To Keep Safe in Andover

The most prevalent crime type in Andover is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for over half of all reported incidents. To maintain your personal safety, it is always wise to stay aware of your surroundings, especially when walking alone at night. Stick to well-lit, busy routes and avoid isolated areas where possible. If you are out in the town centre during the evening, planning your journey home in advance and staying with friends is recommended.

Anti-social behaviour is the second most common issue, and residents can help by reporting any persistent problems to the local authorities. For homeowners, simple measures like installing motion-activated lighting around the exterior of your property can act as an effective deterrent against both ASB and criminal damage. Finally, consider joining a local Neighbourhood Watch scheme to stay informed about any specific safety issues in your part of Andover. Being proactive and aware is the best way to maintain the town's high safety standards.

In Andover, crime patterns vary significantly throughout the day. Morning and afternoon hours see the highest concentration of theft-related offences, with theft accounting for 44% and 46% of crimes in these periods respectively. This is likely due to increased activity in retail and commercial areas. As the day progresses into the evening, the nature of crime shifts, with 'other' crimes—often including anti-social behaviour and public order offences—making up 53% of incidents.

Night-time presents a different set of challenges. Vehicle crime peaks during the early hours (12am - 6am), accounting for 30% of crimes in this period. Burglary is also at its highest during the night (22%) and afternoon (19%). For residents, this highlights the importance of securing vehicles and homes overnight and being vigilant during the busy afternoon shopping hours. understanding these temporal patterns can help you take the right precautions at the right time.

Andover is the primary urban centre in the northern part of Test Valley. When compared to its immediate neighbours like Charlton, Picket Piece, and Anna Valley and Upper Clatford, Andover's crime rate of 74.1 per 1,000 is higher, which is typical for a larger town with more commercial activity. However, compared to other UK towns of similar size, Andover remains a very safe choice. Nearby areas like Enham Alamein show even lower figures, highlighting the overall safety of the region. For those considering the area, Andover offers a balance of urban amenities and high safety standards.

With a property crime rate of 16.1 per 1,000 people, Andover is a relatively low-risk town, but homeowners should still be proactive about security. The main limitation of traditional security systems, such as standard CCTV or DIY video doorbells, is that they are reactive. They record a crime as it happens, but do nothing to stop it. This often leaves you with footage of a loss that has already occurred.

For those who want to prevent crime altogether, scOS offers a proactive alternative. This AI-powered home security system is designed to detect and deter threats at your property boundary. By identifying suspicious activity in real-time and autonomously activating deterrents like lighting and audio warnings, scOS can stop a crime before it even begins. For homeowners in Andover, moving from reactive recording to proactive AI protection means ensuring that your property remains as safe as the statistics suggest.