Test Valley Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Test Valley recorded 743 crimes in October 2023, translating to 5.5 crimes per 1,000 residents—a rate that is 31.2% below the UK average of 8.0. This figure, when contextualised against the district’s population of 135,201, indicates a relatively safe environment compared to national trends. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 39.4% of all reported incidents (293 cases). This category was 19% below the UK average, a trend consistent with Test Valley’s historical performance in reducing violent crime. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, making up 12.9% of total crimes (96 cases), and was 45% below the UK average. These figures may reflect effective local policing strategies or community engagement efforts in managing public order. However, burglary remained a notable concern, with 75 cases recorded (10.1% of total crimes), placing it 76% above the UK average of 0.3 per 1,000. This discrepancy suggests that certain areas within Test Valley—likely those with higher concentrations of residential properties or vulnerable demographics—require targeted interventions. Seasonal factors also played a role, as October’s shorter days and Halloween events may have contributed to increased anti-social behaviour or property crime. While the overall trend remains positive, the burglary rate highlights a specific challenge that warrants further attention. The crime profile for October reflects a combination of local demographics, policing effectiveness, and seasonal influences, with the district performing strongly in some categories but lagging in others.

October 2023 saw a sharp 225% increase in drug-related offences, rising from 12 to 39. This surge, though not uncommon in autumn months, may reflect heightened activity linked to seasonal transitions or local events. Theft from the person also doubled, with reports jumping from 2 to 4—a small but notable shift that could be tied to Halloween or increased foot traffic in certain areas. Conversely, possession of weapons fell by 50%, from 12 to 6, and criminal damage and arson dropped by 42%, from 57 to 33. These decreases may align with the end of summer holidays or reduced outdoor activity as evenings grew darker. Burglary, however, remained a concern, with a rate of 0.6 per 1,000—76% above the UK average of 0.3. This discrepancy highlights a local challenge in property crime prevention, particularly in areas with higher concentrations of residential properties or vulnerable homes. The overall crime mix remained skewed towards violence and sexual offences (39.4% of total crimes), which were 19% below the UK average, suggesting effective local policing or community initiatives in this category.

In October 2023, Test Valley recorded a crime rate of 5.5 per 1,000 residents, a 1.3% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 5.6. This slight decline suggests a stable trend in overall crime levels, though minor fluctuations are common in monthly data. On a daily basis, 24 crimes were reported in Test Valley during October—a figure that translates to one reported crime for every 182 residents over the course of the month. When scaled to the population of 135,201, this rate positions Test Valley well below the UK average, which stood at 8.0 per 1,000. The area’s relatively low crime rate, combined with its moderate population density, likely reflects a mix of urban and rural characteristics. While the monthly exposure metric (1-in-182 residents) is lower than the UK average, it remains a useful benchmark for residents to contextualise local safety. This figure, however, does not account for variations in crime severity or distribution across different parts of the district.