Bishop's Waltham Crime Rate

Bishop's Waltham is a safe residential community with an overall crime rate of 58.6 per 1,000 people per year. This rate is significantly lower than the UK average of 93.1, contributing to a solid safety score of 83/100. However, the area has seen a notable 31.3% increase in crime over the past year, largely driven by a significant spike in incidents during the summer months. While the majority of reported crimes are violence and sexual offences, vehicle crime and anti-social behaviour also feature in the local statistics. This report provides a detailed breakdown of crime types, monthly trends, and time-based patterns to help Bishop's Waltham residents stay informed and secure.

Crime Breakdown in Bishop's Waltham

Violence and sexual offences are the most prominent crime types in Bishop's Waltham, accounting for 126 incidents or 60.0% of the total crime. This is followed by anti-social behaviour (9.1%) and vehicle crime (7.1%). The high percentage of violence and sexual offences is a significant factor in the local statistics, though these figures often include a high proportion of domestic-related reports rather than random public incidents.

Property crime, which includes burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and shoplifting, occurs at a rate of 12.9 per 1,000 residents. Vehicle crime is the most frequent property-related offence, followed by 'other theft' and burglary. Burglary specifically accounts for 3.3% of total crime, with 7 incidents reported annually. For residents and business owners, this indicates that while the overall crime volume is moderate, vehicle security and general theft prevention are important considerations for maintaining property safety in the village.

Crime Trends in Bishop's Waltham

Bishop's Waltham has experienced a significant 31.3% increase in crime over the last 12 months. Analysis of the monthly trendData shows a somewhat volatile pattern, with the crime rate per 1,000 people starting at 3.6 in November 2024 and fluctuating between 2.2 and 5.9 for most of the year.

The most notable event in the data occurred in July 2025, when the crime rate spiked dramatically to 13.7 per 1,000 people, more than double the rate of any other month. This was followed by a return to more typical levels, with the rate dropping to 4.2 in August and staying around 3.9 to 5.3 in the following months. This summer spike is the primary reason for the high year-over-year percentage increase. While the overall trend is up, the recent return to lower figures suggests that the summer surge may have been an isolated period of increased activity.

How To Keep Safe in Bishop's Waltham

Violence and sexual offences are the most frequently reported crimes in Bishop's Waltham, often involving domestic-related incidents. To enhance your personal and property safety, consider the following advice:

1. Prioritise Vehicle Security: As vehicle crime is a top-three concern, always ensure your car is locked, windows are closed, and no valuables are left inside, especially overnight.
2. Be Vigilant in the Afternoon: Theft and burglary risks are highest during the afternoon; use timer switches for lights to give the impression that someone is home when you are out.
3. Report Anti-Social Behaviour: ASB accounts for nearly 10% of local crime; reporting these incidents promptly helps the police maintain the village's peaceful character.
4. Improve Exterior Lighting: Motion-sensor lights around your driveway and property perimeter can be a strong deterrent against vehicle crime and opportunistic theft.
5. Join Local Safety Groups: Engaging with neighbourhood watch or village safety forums can provide early warnings about recent suspicious activity in the Bishop's Waltham area.

Crime Time Patterns in Bishop's Waltham

An analysis of crime times in Bishop's Waltham shows distinct shifts in risk throughout the day. Morning hours (6am-12pm) are primarily associated with theft (48%) and vehicle crime (29%). This pattern continues into the afternoon (12pm-6pm), where theft-related offences reach their peak at 56% of all reported incidents, and burglary risk also rises to 22%. These daylight hours are the most active for property-related offences in the village.

The evening hours (6pm-12am) see a significant rise in vehicle crime, which accounts for 33% of incidents, while 'other' crime types like anti-social behaviour also increase. However, the most striking pattern occurs during the night (12am-6am). During these early hours, vehicle crime surges to account for 63% of all reported incidents. This suggests that vehicles parked on driveways or streets are the primary target for opportunistic crime while residents are asleep. Protecting the property perimeter during the afternoon and ensuring vehicles are secured overnight are the most critical steps for maintaining safety in Bishop's Waltham.

Compared to its immediate neighbours, Bishop's Waltham has a higher crime rate than the smaller villages of Swanmore (41.6) and Waltham Chase (21.7). It is more similar in its crime profile to Shedfield (55.7). The tiny communities of Upham and Shirrell Heath recorded no crimes during the same period. This higher rate is likely due to Bishop's Waltham acting as a local commercial hub with more shops and amenities, which naturally attracts more activity than the surrounding rural settlements. Despite the higher local rate, it remains safer than many larger towns in Hampshire.

Advanced Home Protection in Bishop's Waltham

With a property crime rate of 12.9 per 1,000 and a 31.3% increase in overall crime, Bishop's Waltham residents should consider upgrading to more proactive security. Traditional systems like standard CCTV or basic alarms are reactive; they notify you after an intruder has already breached your property or after a vehicle has been tampered with. In an area where vehicle crime is a top-three issue and peaks at 63% overnight, recording the event is often too late.

scOS provides a professional-grade alternative by using AI-powered multi-camera intelligence to monitor your property's boundary in real-time. It can distinguish between common village activity and genuine threats, such as someone loitering near your driveway. If a potential intruder is detected, scOS can autonomously trigger deterrents like lighting or audio warnings to stop the crime before it begins. This proactive approach is particularly valuable for protecting vehicles overnight and homes during the afternoon, which are the highest-risk periods in Bishop's Waltham, ensuring your property remains secure.