Charlton (Test Valley) Crime Rate

Charlton (Test Valley) is one of the safest settlements in Hampshire, with a current crime rate of 38.0 per 1,000 people. This is significantly lower than the UK national average of 91.7, contributing to an outstanding safety score of 91/100. While the village's crime trend shows a 52.8% increase year-over-year, this is largely due to the small population and low base numbers. For the 2,131 residents, these figures reflect a highly secure and peaceful living environment. This report provides a detailed analysis of the local crime statistics to help residents and visitors understand the safety landscape in Charlton and how it compares to the rest of the UK.

In Charlton (Test Valley), violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type, accounting for 38.3% of all reported incidents. Other theft (12.3%) and anti-social behaviour (11.1%) follow as the next most significant categories. These figures indicate that while personal safety is the primary focus, the overall volume of crime is exceptionally low.

When considering property crime collectively—which includes burglary, vehicle crime, shoplifting, and various thefts—the rate in Charlton is 16.9 per 1,000 residents. Other theft (12.3%) and vehicle crime (8.6%) are the main contributors to this figure, along with shoplifting (8.6%). Burglary (3.7%) and criminal damage (11.1%) are also relatively infrequent in absolute terms. For residents, this means that Charlton is one of the safest settlements in the region. Property-related offences are low, but the presence of theft and vehicle crime suggests that maintaining basic security for personal property and cars is still important. Homeowners enjoy a very high level of security, with burglary being a rare occurrence.

Crime in Charlton has seen a 52.8% increase year-over-year, although this represents a very small change in absolute numbers due to the village's small size. Analysis of the monthly data from December 2024 to November 2025 shows a consistently low crime rate, with figures per 1,000 people mostly ranging between 1.9 and 4.7.

The highest rate was recorded in September 2025 at 6.6, while the lowest rates were in June and November 2025, both at 1.9. The lack of a sustained upward trend and the consistently low monthly figures suggest that Charlton remains an exceptionally safe environment for its residents, despite the percentage increase.

How To Keep Safe in Charlton (Test Valley)

The most prevalent crime type in Charlton is violence and sexual offences. While the village is exceptionally safe, it is always wise to take basic precautions. Stay aware of your surroundings, particularly when walking alone at night. Stick to well-lit paths and avoid isolated areas where possible.

Theft and vehicle crime are the primary property offences in the village. To protect your belongings, ensure your home and car are always securely locked and avoid leaving any valuables on display. If possible, park in a well-lit area or a secure driveway. Residents can also help maintain the village's safety by reporting any anti-social behaviour to the local authorities. Finally, consider joining a local Neighbourhood Watch scheme to stay informed about any specific issues in your part of Charlton. Being proactive and aware is the best way to maintain the village's high safety standards.

In Charlton, crime patterns show distinct variations throughout the day. Morning and afternoon hours are dominated by theft-related offences, which account for 56% and 65% of crimes in these periods respectively. This is likely related to activity around local services and retail. As the day moves into the evening, the focus shifts towards 'other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour, which makes up 40% of incidents.

Night-time (12am - 6am) is particularly notable for vehicle crime, which accounts for a significant 50% of all reported incidents during these hours. Burglary also peaks during the night (11%) and evening (10%). For residents, these patterns highlight the importance of securing vehicles overnight and being vigilant about home security both during the day and after dark. Understanding these temporal trends is key to maintaining the high level of safety enjoyed in the village.

Charlton is situated in a very safe pocket of northern Hampshire. When compared to nearby Andover, which has a crime rate of 74.1 per 1,000, Charlton stands out as a much more secure and residential option. It is also comparable to other safe nearby areas like Anna Valley and Upper Clatford, which has a rate of 35.3. Other nearby areas like Penton Mewsey and Enham Alamein show even lower figures, highlighting the overall safety of the region. For those considering the area, Charlton offers a peaceful village lifestyle with exceptionally high safety standards.

With a property crime rate of 16.9 per 1,000 people, Charlton is a very low-risk area, but property owners should still consider their security carefully. The 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, often providing footage of a loss that has already occurred.

For those who want to prevent crime altogether, scOS offers a proactive solution. This AI-powered 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 Charlton, moving from reactive recording to proactive AI protection means ensuring that your property remains as safe as the statistics suggest.