Winchester Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime Statistics in Winchester

Winchester, a historic city in Hampshire, reports an overall crime rate of 61.0 per 1,000 residents per year. This figure positions Winchester as notably safer when compared to the national average UK crime rate of 93.4 per 1,000. The area achieves a commendable Safety Score of 85 out of 100, surpassing the UK average safety score of 78 out of 100. In terms of recent trends, Winchester's crime rate has remained stable, showing a marginal decrease of 0.5% year-over-year, indicating consistent safety levels within the community. This introduction sets the context for a more detailed analysis of crime patterns and trends in Winchester.

What Contributes to Crime Statistics in Winchester?

Winchester, as a Local Authority District, encompasses a diverse range of characteristics that contribute to its crime statistics. It is a historic cathedral city with a significant urban core, surrounded by numerous picturesque villages and rural landscapes. This blend of urban and rural environments naturally influences crime patterns, with higher population density and commercial activity in the city centre potentially leading to different types of offences compared to the quieter, more spread-out rural areas.

The city is a major tourist destination, attracting visitors to its cathedral, historic sites, and cultural events. It also hosts the University of Winchester, contributing to a vibrant, and at times transient, population. These activities, along with a bustling city centre featuring shops, restaurants, and nightlife, can lead to increased opportunities for certain crimes, such as public order offences, anti-social behaviour, and theft. The presence of a major transport hub, particularly the railway station, can also be a factor in transient crime. While generally an affluent area, like any city, Winchester experiences varied demographics across its different neighbourhoods. These combined factors of tourism, student population, commercial activity, and varied residential settings all play a role in shaping the overall crime rate and safety score observed in Winchester.

Crime Type Analysis

An in-depth look at crime types in Winchester reveals that Violence and sexual offences represent the most significant category, accounting for 45.0% of all crimes, at a rate of 27.5 per 1,000 residents. Following this, Anti-social behaviour makes up 8.3% (5.1 per 1,000), and Public order offences comprise 8.2% (5.0 per 1,000). These three categories collectively form the majority of reported incidents in the area.

Focusing on property-related crime, which encompasses burglary, theft from person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft, Winchester reports a rate of 18.5 per 1,000 residents. This is considerably lower than the UK average property crime rate of 33.2 per 1,000. Specific property crime figures include Other theft at 4.8 per 1,000 (7.8%), Criminal damage and arson at 3.7 per 1,000 (6.1%), Burglary at 2.5 per 1,000 (4.0%), and Vehicle crime at 2.7 per 1,000 (4.4%). These statistics suggest that while overall property crime is a concern, it is less prevalent than in many other parts of the UK. For residents and homeowners, understanding these patterns is crucial for informed security decisions, particularly given the relatively lower, but still present, risk of property-related offences.

Crime Trends in Winchester

Analysing the crime trends in Winchester shows a stable year-over-year (YoY) change, with a slight decrease of 0.5% in total crimes compared to the previous 12-month period. This indicates a consistent level of safety in the area over the past year. Monthly data reveals fluctuations, with crime rates per 1,000 residents generally hovering between 4.4 and 5.1 from October 2024 to June 2025. However, a noticeable spike occurred in July 2025 (6.0 per 1,000) and August 2025 (6.7 per 1,000), before settling back to 5.7 per 1,000 in September 2025.

These monthly patterns suggest that while Winchester maintains a stable overall trend, residents should be aware of potential seasonal variations, particularly during the summer months where a temporary increase in activity was observed. For homeowners and the community, this stable trend is reassuring, but vigilance regarding these periodic increases remains important to maintain personal and property security.

Regional Crime Comparison

When comparing Winchester to its neighbouring areas, a clearer picture of regional safety emerges. Winchester's overall crime rate of 61.0 per 1,000 residents positions it favourably against some of its more urbanised neighbours. For instance, while specific crime rates for Eastleigh, Southampton, Fareham, Test Valley, East Hampshire, and Havant are not detailed here, Winchester generally benefits from a lower crime profile compared to larger urban centres like Southampton. Areas such as Test Valley and East Hampshire, which are more rural, often exhibit lower crime rates, providing a benchmark for Winchester's suburban and rural fringes. This comparison helps residents understand Winchester's relative safety within the broader regional context, highlighting its generally lower crime levels compared to more densely populated localities.

Proactive Crime Protection

In light of Winchester's property crime rate of 18.5 per 1,000 residents, considering robust home security measures is a sensible step for homeowners. Traditional security systems, such as standard CCTV cameras, often provide footage of a burglary after it has occurred, offering a reactive record rather than proactive prevention. For true peace of mind and effective crime deterrence, a shift towards advanced, preventative solutions is essential.

Systems like scOS offer an AI-powered home security operating system designed to prevent crime before it happens. Unlike basic DIY setups that merely notify you after an incident, scOS actively detects threats at your property boundary using multi-camera intelligence, ensuring no blind spots. Its advanced features, such as DVLA vehicle verification, can instantly identify suspicious vehicles, and its pattern learning capabilities distinguish between routine activities and genuine threats. This proactive approach means lights can activate and speakers engage to deter potential intruders within the critical 60-second decision window many burglars operate within, destroying the element of surprise. Investing in professional-grade equipment like scOS signals serious protection, making your property a less appealing target and significantly enhancing local property protection in Winchester.