Swanmore Crime Rate

Swanmore is a safe and secure residential settlement with an overall crime rate of 41.6 per 1,000 people per year. This figure is significantly lower than the UK average of 93.1, contributing to an impressive safety score of 89/100. While the area remains safe, recent data indicates a 21.0% increase in crime year-over-year, largely driven by a rise in incidents during the summer months. The local crime landscape is dominated by violence and sexual offences, alongside criminal damage and arson. Burglary is remarkably rare in Swanmore, making it one of the most secure areas for homeowners. This report provides a detailed breakdown of crime types, trends, and time-based patterns to help residents understand the local safety environment.

Crime Breakdown in Swanmore

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crimes in Swanmore, accounting for 78 incidents or 54.2% of the total. This is followed by criminal damage and arson (12.5%) and public order offences (9.0%). While the overall volume of crime is low, the prevalence of criminal damage is a notable feature of the local statistics.

Property crime, which includes burglary, theft, and vehicle crime, occurs at a rate of 9.8 per 1,000 residents. Interestingly, burglary is extremely rare in Swanmore, with only 1 incident reported over the entire year, representing just 0.7% of total crime. Vehicle crime and 'other theft' are more frequent property-related issues, each accounting for 4.9% of reports. For residents, this suggests that the risk of home intrusion is exceptionally low, with the primary security concerns being criminal damage to property and opportunistic vehicle-related theft.

Crime Trends in Swanmore

Swanmore has experienced a 21.0% increase in crime over the last 12 months. Analysis of the monthly trendData shows that the crime rate per 1,000 people was very low at the start of the period, with a rate of 2.0 in November 2024 and just 1.2 in December. However, the rate began to rise steadily in early 2025, reaching 3.5 by March.

The most significant increase occurred during the summer months, with the crime rate peaking at 5.8 in both July and August 2025. Following this peak, the rate has shown signs of decline, dropping to 2.0 in September before a slight rise to 2.6 in October. This summer surge is the primary driver of the year-over-year increase. While the trend is currently up, the most recent data suggests that crime levels are beginning to stabilise at a lower level as the area moves out of the busy summer period.

How To Keep Safe in Swanmore

The most common crime in Swanmore is violence and sexual offences, which often involves domestic or personal disputes. To enhance your personal and property safety in the area, consider the following advice:

1. Be Vigilant Against Criminal Damage: Since this is a top-two local concern, ensure your property is well-lit at night and that any perimeter fencing or walls are in good repair to deter vandalism.
2. Secure Vehicles Overnight: Vehicle crime peaks during the night-time hours; always ensure your car is locked and parked in a well-lit area or garage if possible.
3. Report Anti-Social Behaviour: ASB accounts for a significant portion of local incidents; reporting these promptly helps the police allocate resources and prevents minor issues from escalating.
4. Maintain Natural Surveillance: Keep hedges and shrubbery trimmed to ensure that your home's entry points are visible from the street, which can deter opportunistic crime.
5. Engage with the Community: Participating in local safety forums or neighbourhood watch schemes can provide early warnings about any recent suspicious activity or trends in the Swanmore area.

Crime Time Patterns in Swanmore

Crime in Swanmore follows distinct temporal patterns throughout the day. Morning hours (6am-12pm) are primarily associated with theft (31%) and 'other' crime types (50%), which include criminal damage and anti-social behaviour. This shift continues into the afternoon (12pm-6pm), where theft-related offences peak at 40% of all reported incidents in that period.

As the day transitions into evening (6pm-12am), the crime profile becomes heavily dominated by 'other' types (71%), reflecting a rise in anti-social behaviour and criminal damage during the late hours. Night-time (12am-6am) presents a different risk, with vehicle crime reaching its daily peak at 44% of reported crimes. Burglary is notably absent from these patterns due to its extreme rarity in the village. Residents should be particularly mindful of property security during the evening to deter criminal damage and ensure vehicles are secured overnight to counter the night-time risk.

When compared to surrounding areas, Swanmore is safer than the nearby commercial hub of Bishop's Waltham (58.6) and the settlement of Shedfield (55.7). It does have a higher crime rate than the quieter village of Waltham Chase (21.7). The very small community of Shirrell Heath recorded no crimes at all during the same period. Overall, Swanmore offers a high level of security that is typical of the more rural and residential parts of the Winchester district, providing a peaceful environment for its residents.

Proactive Home Protection in Swanmore

While Swanmore is exceptionally safe, particularly regarding burglary, the fact that criminal damage and arson is the second most common crime type (representing 12.5% of total incidents) suggests that residents should remain vigilant. Traditional security systems, such as basic alarms or recording-only cameras, are often insufficient because they only provide evidence after the damage has already been done. In an area where criminal damage is a primary concern, prevention is far more valuable than recording.

scOS offers a more advanced, proactive approach to home security. Using AI-powered multi-camera intelligence, scOS monitors your property's boundary in real-time and identifies potential threats before they reach your home. It can distinguish between normal village activity and suspicious loitering. If a threat is detected, the system can autonomously engage deterrents like motion-activated lights and audible warnings, destroying the element of surprise and deterring the individual before any damage can occur. For Swanmore residents, this level of professional-grade protection ensures that their property remains secure and helps maintain the village's high safety standards.