Test Valley Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

The crime profile of Test Valley in February 2026 reveals a distinct balance between violent and property crimes, shaped by both seasonal factors and local characteristics. With a total crime rate of 4.1 per 1,000 residents—35.9% below the UK average—the area demonstrates a safer-than-average environment, though this is not uniformly distributed across crime types. Violence and sexual offences dominate the crime mix, accounting for 41.5% of all reported incidents, a share significantly higher than the UK average of 27%. This concentration of violent crime may reflect the area’s urban core, where higher population density and social interactions could contribute to such incidents. Anti-social behaviour follows closely at 13.5%, suggesting persistent challenges in community cohesion or youth activity. In contrast, shoplifting (9.0% of total crimes) and criminal damage (7.7%) remain well below UK averages, a pattern consistent with the area’s lower retail density and stricter local policing. The seasonal context of February—a winter month marked by reduced outdoor activity and shorter daylight hours—likely plays a role in the lower rates of public order offences and vehicle crime, both of which fell sharply compared to previous months. However, the 20% above UK average burglary rate highlights a specific vulnerability, linked to the area’s housing stock or economic conditions. These patterns suggest a combination of local demographics, geography, and policing strategies, with opportunities for targeted interventions to address the disproportionate occurrence of certain crimes.

February 2026 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with shoplifting increasing by 32.4% (37 to 49) and possession of weapons rising by 75.0% (4 to 7). These increases contrast sharply with the 54.1% decline in public order offences, which fell from 61 to 28, suggesting a potential reallocation of criminal activity towards more discreet or targeted crimes. The area’s violent crime rate—1.7 per 1,000—remains 27% below the UK average, a consistent trend that may reflect the community’s strong social cohesion or effective policing strategies. Conversely, burglary in Test Valley rose 20% above the UK average, indicating a need for enhanced property security measures. Residents might find the 31% below UK average for shoplifting noteworthy, as it suggests local retail environments may be better protected than the national average.

Test Valley's crime rate in February 2026 fell by 21.4% compared to the previous month, dropping from 5.2 to 4.1 per 1,000 residents. This decline aligns with the typical seasonal pattern observed in winter months, where reduced outdoor activity and shorter daylight hours may contribute to lower crime rates. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 20 crimes per day in February, a figure that remains consistent with historical trends for this time of year. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 247 residents, a monthly exposure rate that suggests a relatively low frequency of incidents relative to the population size. When viewed against the UK average, this figure underscores the area’s position as a safer-than-average region, though the 20% above UK average burglary rate highlights a specific vulnerability requiring attention. The population context further illustrates that while individual risk remains low, targeted interventions could address the disproportionate occurrence of certain crimes.