Otterbourne Crime Rate

Otterbourne is characterised by its high level of safety and low crime volume. With an overall crime rate of 27.5 per 1,000 people, the area sits significantly below the UK average of 91.7. This is reflected in an impressive safety score of 94/100, positioning it as one of the safer settlements within the Winchester local authority. Recent data indicates a positive trend for the community, with crime rates decreasing by 28.0% year-over-year. Residents enjoy a property crime rate of just 7.5 per 1,000, which is a fraction of the national average. The following analysis provides a detailed breakdown of local crime types, trends, and temporal patterns to help you understand the safety profile of Otterbourne.

In Otterbourne, the criminal landscape is primarily defined by violence and sexual offences, which account for 32.2% of all recorded incidents with a rate of 8.8 per 1,000 residents. This is followed by anti-social behaviour (25.4%) and public order offences (11.9%). While these figures represent the most frequent reports, they should be viewed within the context of an exceptionally low overall crime volume.

Property-related crime in Otterbourne remains significantly below the national average. The combined property crime rate—encompassing burglary, vehicle crime, and various forms of theft—stands at 7.5 per 1,000 people. Specifically, burglary represents 8.5% of total crime, while other theft and vehicle crime account for 6.8% and 3.4% respectively. For homeowners, this suggests that while the area is statistically very safe, maintaining standard security protocols is still advisable to deter opportunistic theft, which, although rare, constitutes a measurable portion of local activity.

Otterbourne has experienced a significant downward trend in criminal activity, with a 28.0% year-over-year decrease in total crimes. This is a very positive indicator for the community's safety. Looking at the monthly data from December 2024 to November 2025, the crime rate per 1,000 has remained consistently low, generally fluctuating between 1.4 and 2.8.

There was a notable peak in February 2025, where the rate reached 4.7 per 1,000, which was the highest recorded in the 12-month period. However, this was an isolated spike, as the rate immediately returned to 1.9 in March. The latter half of the year showed particularly low levels, with September recording just 1.4 per 1,000. These fluctuations are common in areas with low total crime numbers, where a single incident can significantly impact the percentage. Overall, the consistent low monthly figures and the substantial annual decrease suggest that Otterbourne is maintaining its status as an exceptionally secure neighbourhood.

How To Keep Safe in Otterbourne

While Otterbourne is very safe, violence and sexual offences are the most frequently recorded crime type. To maintain your personal safety, consider the following advice:

1. Stay aware of your surroundings when walking alone, particularly during the evening or in less-populated areas of the village.
2. Stick to well-lit routes and avoid shortcuts through unlit footpaths or wooded areas after dark.
3. If you are socialising, ensure you have a planned way to get home and look out for your friends and neighbours.
4. Report any suspicious behaviour or persistent anti-social behaviour to the local police, as early intervention can prevent escalation.
5. Consider personal safety apps that allow you to share your location with trusted contacts when travelling on foot.

By staying vigilant and connected with the local community, you can contribute to keeping Otterbourne's crime rates among the lowest in the region.

Crime in Otterbourne follows distinct temporal patterns. During the morning (6am - 12pm) and afternoon (12pm - 6pm), theft-related offences are the most prominent, making up 44% of the crime during these daylight hours. This likely corresponds with periods when residents are away from home or visiting local amenities.

As the day transitions into evening and night, the profile of criminal activity shifts. Between 6pm and midnight, 'other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order offences, become more prevalent (41%). The late-night period (12am - 6am) sees a significant spike in property-focused crime, with burglary accounting for 38% and vehicle crime for 30% of incidents. This suggests that while overall crime is low, the vulnerability of unattended properties and vehicles increases under the cover of darkness. Understanding these shifts allows residents to be more targeted in their security habits, such as ensuring vehicles are cleared of valuables before the evening sets in.

When comparing Otterbourne to its immediate neighbours, the area sits in a middle ground of high-safety locations. It is notably safer than Colden Common, which has a crime rate of 39.0 per 1,000, and Twyford, which recorded 35.0 per 1,000. However, it does not reach the zero-crime statistics reported in the smaller settlements of Compton and Shawford. For those looking at the Winchester region, Otterbourne offers a very secure residential environment, significantly outperforming the national average and comparing favourably with most surrounding developed villages. This regional context highlights Otterbourne as a consistently low-crime choice for residents.

With a property crime rate of 7.5 per 1,000, Otterbourne residents face a low but persistent risk of opportunistic theft and burglary. Traditional security measures, such as basic CCTV or standard alarms, are often reactive—they provide evidence of a crime after it has occurred. In a low-crime area like Otterbourne, the goal of security should be total prevention.

AI-powered systems like scOS represent a shift from recording to preventing. By using multi-camera intelligence to monitor property boundaries in real-time, scOS can detect a potential intruder before they even reach a door or window. The system's ability to distinguish between a delivery driver and a suspicious loiterer ensures that alerts are meaningful. For homeowners in Otterbourne, the autonomous response features—such as activating lights or speakers—can destroy the element of surprise that burglars rely on. Investing in proactive protection ensures that your home remains a hard target, encouraging opportunistic criminals to move on rather than attempt a break-in.