Crime and Safety in Alton, Hampshire
Last updated: 07 Jun 2026
Alton is among the top 10 safest small towns in Hampshire, and is the 93rd most dangerous overall out of Hampshire's 268 towns, villages, and cities. The overall crime rate in Alton in 2026 is 45 crimes per 1,000 people. This compares favourably to Hampshire's overall crime rate, coming in 29% lower than the Hampshire rate of 63 per 1,000 daytime population. For England, Wales, and Northern Ireland as a whole, Alton is the 204th safest small town, and the 4,293rd most dangerous location out of all towns, cities, and villages.
In July 2018, Alton had the worst crime rate in Hampshire for robbery, with 3 crimes reported and a crime rate of 0.14 per 1,000 daytime population. And in January 2026, Alton was the worst small town in Hampshire for drugs, with 8 crimes reported and a crime rate of 0.34 per 1,000 daytime population. February 2026 was also a bad month for Alton residents, when it was again Hampshire's most dangerous small town for drugs, recording 10 crimes at a rate of 0.43 per 1,000 daytime population.
The most common crimes in Alton are violence and sexual offences, with 563 offences during 2026, giving a crime rate of 24. This is 9% lower than 2025's figure of 619 offences and a difference of 2.44 from 2025's crime rate of 27. Alton's least common crime is robbery, with 2 offences recorded in 2026, an increase of 100% from 2025's figure of 1 crime.
Alton 2026 Crime Scorecard
Top 10 Safest
Small Towns, Hampshire
27% lower, regional crime rate
South East
38% lower, national crime rate
England, Wales & NI
Local Crime in Context
As of April 2026, the crime rate in Alton is 27% lower than the South East and 38% lower than the England, Wales & Northern Ireland overall figure.
Alton Crime Rate Over Time
| Alton | |
| South East | |
| England, Wales & NI |
Alton Crime Map
Incidents mapped in Alton represent the time frame between January 2016 and April 2026. Each point on the map represents an area where crimes have been recorded locally.
Use Crime Map
Hover over a point to see a breakdown of crime types recorded at that location. You can also filter by individual crime types, or use a combinations of offences to visualise the data you need.
See How Alton Compares
You can compare Alton's crime statistics against any other town, village, or city from across the country. Search for a location's name below to see how they stack up.
Introduction to Alton's crime statistics
This crime profile provides a detailed view of crime and safety around Alton up to April 2026, the most recent data release available. The crime figures and statistics have been calculated across each of Alton's 650 postcodes using three area sizes for comparison:
- Within a Five-Minute Walk
- Within a Ten-Minute Walk
- Within a Fifteen-Minute Walk
Individual crime risk scores and index figures are for the 12-month period ending April 2026 unless otherwise stated.
CrimeRate Insights
Looking into a specific address in Alton? CrimeRate Insights reports convert raw numbers into practical insight for any location, from single addresses and postcodes, up to major towns and cities.
Crime rates don’t happen by themselves; they follow people and patterns. Where crowds gather - near pubs and late-night venues, around the station, by supermarkets and forecourts - incidents naturally concentrate.
That doesn’t mean an area is "bad"; it usually means footfall is higher.
Your report explores these factors in a calm, non-judgemental way, putting the numbers in context and helping you spot what’s typical for places like this.
Crime Risk Scores
Alton • 12 Months Ending April 2026
The typical five-minute walk within Alton has a crime risk score of 412. This is based on analysis of 650 nearby areas within Alton, with "most" referring to roughly two thirds of the nearby locations.
Crime risk scores are on a scale of 1 to 1,000 and consider the severity of the crimes involved, as determined by sentencing guidelines. A score of 1 represents the lowest risk, and 1,000 the highest risk. This approach ensures that - unlike overall crime rate figures - bicycle theft is not given the same importance in Alton's risk scores as, for example, robbery, or violence & sexual offences.
Within a five-minute walk of the typical location in Alton, crime risk scores are typically around 412, while in Hampshire they are average 467.
Areas within a ten-minute walk typically see crime risk scores of 490 (470 for Hampshire), and scores within a fifteen-minute walk are most often around 520 (Hampshire 472).
Trends in Crime Risk
Alton
Calculated via Seasonal and Trend decomposition using Loess, the Seasonality Adjusted line represents the original data with seasonality subtracted, and the Trend line has been plotted unadjusted. Overall trend direction has been identified using the Mann-Kendall trend test, and rate calculated from the slope of the best-fit line identified from linear regression.
No trend could be found in Alton's crime risk scores over the last 10 years, and the trend may well be static.
Looking at the previous five years, the trend in Alton's crime risk score is down by 40%. While potentially a good indicator of the overall risk trend, cross-referencing with major cultural events and Covid's impact during this time is advised.
Over the last year, Alton's crime risk score has shown a downward trend of approximately 30%, indicating that the risk profile is going down. This is an extremely short time period for crime trend analysis, and caution should be exercised when interpreting this figure.
Crime Rates and Indexes
Alton
The CrimeRate Index shows how crime rates compare against the national average.
1.0 equals the average
2.0 is double
3.0 triple
0.5 is half and
0.25 a quarter.
Highest Crime Rates
Alton • 12 Months Ending April 2026
Excluding other crime and other theft because their geographic location is often not relevant, anti-social behaviour as its definition is too wide, and bicycle theft for its specificity.
Possession of Weapons offences have a crime rate of 1.11 reports per 1,000 people in Alton, which is 1.54 times the national average. This figure is calculated from 26 crime reports logged by Hampshire Police during the 12-month period ending April 2026.
For the same period, Hampshire Police recorded 61 reports of Drugs in Alton, resulting in a crime rate of 2.61 reports per 1,000, and a CrimeRate Index of 0.92.
The crime rate for Violence and Sexual Offences is 0.79 times the national average at 24 reports per 1,000. This is from 563 crime reports reported to Hampshire Police.
Most Significant 3-Year Increases in Crime Types
Alton
Excluding other crime and other theft, anti-social behaviour, and bicycle theft, and calculated with the same STL method described in Trends in Crime Risk, using CrimeRate Index figures to identify crime types that are trending above or below the national average, and the analysis timeframe limited to the last three years.
Possession of Weapons offences are trending upwards, and have a CrimeRate Index of 0.57 for the month of April 2026.
Three years ago, the monthly Possession of Weapons CrimeRate Index was 1.86 times the national average, and the current trend indicates an increase of 69% over this timeframe.
Drugs offences are trending upwards, and have a CrimeRate Index of 2.04 for the month of April 2026.
Three years ago, the monthly Drugs CrimeRate Index was 0.19 times the national average, and the current trend indicates an increase of 974% over this timeframe.
Most Significant 3-Year Decreases in Crime Types
Alton
Calculated with the same methodology as the largest increases section above.
Public Order offences are trending downwards, and have a CrimeRate Index of 0.08 for the month of April 2026.
Three years ago, the monthly Public Order CrimeRate Index was 1.19 times the national average, and the current trend indicates a decrease of 93% over this timeframe.
Burglary offences are trending downwards, and have a CrimeRate Index of 1.08 for the month of April 2026.
Three years ago, the monthly Burglary CrimeRate Index was 0.60 times the national average, and the current trend indicates a decrease of 80% over this timeframe.
Theft From the Person offences are trending downwards, and have a CrimeRate Index of 0.33 for the month of April 2026.
Three years ago, the monthly Theft From the Person CrimeRate Index was 0.31 times the national average, and the current trend indicates a decrease of 6% over this timeframe.
Crime Type Breakdown & Heat Map
Alton • 12 Months Ending April 2026
Size and colour reflect the CrimeRate Index figures for each type of crime.
Alton | Hampshire | South East | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crime Type | Count | Rate | Index | Count | Rate | Index | Count | Rate | Index |
| Anti-Social Behaviour | 154 | 6.61 | 0.52 | 16,767 | 7.84 | 0.55 | 115,500 | 10.87 | 0.77 |
| Bicycle Theft | 4 | 0.17 | 0.89 | 1,434 | 0.69 | 0.95 | 7,315 | 0.68 | 0.93 |
| Burglary | 34 | 1.45 | 0.51 | 5,009 | 2.35 | 0.75 | 23,535 | 2.23 | 0.71 |
| Criminal Damage and Arson | 94 | 4.03 | 0.70 | 10,172 | 4.75 | 0.76 | 58,501 | 5.50 | 0.88 |
| Drugs | 61 | 2.61 | 0.92 | 4,679 | 2.18 | 0.71 | 25,203 | 2.37 | 0.77 |
| Other Crime | 15 | 0.65 | 0.52 | 2,789 | 1.30 | 0.70 | 17,151 | 1.61 | 0.87 |
| Other Theft | 57 | 2.45 | 0.47 | 8,871 | 4.14 | 0.73 | 51,336 | 4.84 | 0.85 |
| Possession of Weapons | 26 | 1.11 | 1.54 | 2,421 | 1.12 | 1.32 | 8,736 | 0.81 | 0.95 |
| Public Order | 83 | 3.54 | 0.61 | 11,772 | 5.49 | 0.95 | 54,745 | 5.15 | 0.89 |
| Robbery | 2 | 0.08 | 0.42 | 1,491 | 0.70 | 0.59 | 7,588 | 0.72 | 0.61 |
| Shoplifting | 67 | 2.88 | 0.44 | 12,856 | 5.99 | 0.84 | 72,983 | 6.88 | 0.96 |
| Theft From the Person | 5 | 0.20 | 0.30 | 766 | 0.36 | 0.23 | 4,668 | 0.45 | 0.29 |
| Vehicle Crime | 30 | 1.30 | 0.36 | 6,424 | 3.00 | 0.70 | 34,099 | 3.22 | 0.75 |
| Violence and Sexual Offences | 563 | 24.10 | 0.79 | 66,157 | 30.90 | 1.02 | 286,815 | 26.98 | 0.89 |
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Total Crime by Year
Alton | Hampshire | South East | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Count | Rate | Index | Count | Rate | Index | Count | Rate | Index |
| 2026 | 1,041 | 44.57 | 0.68 | 134,841 | 62.97 | 0.87 | 652,675 | 61.44 | 0.85 |
| 2025 | 1,099 | 47.82 | 0.68 | 142,154 | 66.71 | 0.90 | 670,274 | 63.35 | 0.86 |
| 2024 | 1,171 | 51.93 | 0.72 | 143,206 | 67.71 | 0.90 | 690,903 | 65.86 | 0.87 |
| 2023 | 1,332 | 60.45 | 0.79 | 159,627 | 76.11 | 0.96 | 713,547 | 68.83 | 0.87 |
| 2022 | 1,347 | 61.89 | 0.83 | 159,505 | 76.75 | 1.00 | 704,444 | 68.58 | 0.89 |
| 2021 | 1,053 | 48.63 | 0.76 | 132,111 | 63.97 | 0.93 | 625,484 | 61.36 | 0.89 |
| 2020 | 1,108 | 51.76 | 0.74 | 141,723 | 68.79 | 0.93 | 669,219 | 65.97 | 0.89 |
| 2019 | 1,111 | 52.88 | 0.72 | 142,619 | 69.41 | 0.91 | 666,505 | 65.82 | 0.86 |
| 2018 | 1,111 | 53.16 | 0.77 | 146,264 | 71.07 | 1.00 | 644,142 | 63.85 | 0.90 |
| 2017 | 887 | 42.37 | 0.70 | 120,200 | 58.55 | 0.92 | 552,696 | 55.04 | 0.86 |
| 2016 | 214 | 10.22 | 0.57 | 33,278 | 16.23 | 0.85 | 160,273 | 15.99 | 0.84 |
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Alton Compared to Nearby Small Towns
12 Months Ending Apr 2026
| Small Town | Total Crimes | Crime Rate | Rate Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| West End | 764 | 58.97 | 32% more dangerous |
| Whitehill | 973 | 55.67 | 25% more dangerous |
| Fawley | 698 | 48.59 | 9% more dangerous |
| Hythe and Dibden | 1,076 | 51.42 | 15% more dangerous |
| Ringwood | 875 | 50.39 | 13% more dangerous |
| Hedge End | 1,215 | 49.81 | 12% more dangerous |
| Petersfield | 885 | 48.01 | 8% more dangerous |
| Romsey | 1,087 | 46.23 | 3.7% more dangerous |
| Lymington and Pennington | 785 | 45.74 | 2.6% more dangerous |
| Alton | 1,041 | 44.57 | - |
| Bramshott and Liphook | 414 | 37.12 | 17% safer |
| Fleet | 1,198 | 39.90 | 10% safer |
| Bishopstoke | 346 | 33.20 | 26% safer |
| Tadley | 401 | 32.67 | 27% safer |
| Yateley | 713 | 34.22 | 23% safer |
| Hook | 389 | 32.16 | 28% safer |
| Chandler's Ford | 931 | 33.07 | 26% safer |
| Fair Oak and Horton Heath | 419 | 30.92 | 31% safer |
| Horndean | 446 | 31.38 | 30% safer |
| Church Crookham | 297 | 26.82 | 40% safer |
| Denmead | 189 | 24.79 | 44% safer |
Comparing Alton to the UK's Major Cities
12 Months Ending Apr 2026
| City Name | Crime Rate | Rate Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Alton | 44.57 | - |
| Cardiff | 79.55 | 78% more dangerous |
| Newcastle upon Tyne | 82.69 | 86% more dangerous |
| Sheffield | 84.09 | 89% more dangerous |
| Leicester | 97.87 | 120% more dangerous |
| Bristol | 104.64 | 135% more dangerous |
| Birmingham | 105.05 | 136% more dangerous |
| Liverpool | 106.48 | 139% more dangerous |
| Leeds | 107.10 | 140% more dangerous |
| Nottingham | 107.74 | 142% more dangerous |
| Westminster | 125.00 | 180% more dangerous |
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Offences In and Around Alton's Parks & Leisure Spaces
Limited to spaces in Alton that are named and have had crimes recorded within their boundaries in the 12 months to Apr 2026.
| Name | ASB | Drugs | Public Order | Robbery | VSO | All Others |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spitalfields Allotments | 1 | - | - | - | 3 | 0 |
| Alton Flood Meadow | 2 | - | 2 | - | 10 | 2 |
| Hawthorns Allotments | 1 | - | - | - | 2 | 0 |
| The Public Gardens | 10 | - | 5 | 1 | 25 | 11 |
| Jubilee Playing Fields | 2 | - | 2 | - | 6 | 6 |
| Holybourne Sports Field | - | - | 1 | - | - | 0 |
| Whitedown Allotments | 2 | - | - | - | - | 0 |
| Borovere Allotments | - | - | 2 | - | 11 | 4 |
| Alton Sports Centre | 1 | - | 2 | - | 1 | 3 |
| Anstey Park | - | - | - | - | 2 | 1 |
| Barley Fields | 2 | 3 | 1 | - | 10 | 44 |
Recent Crimes in Alton
The 20 most recent crime reports in Alton.
| Date | Crime Type | Location | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 2026 | Criminal damage and arson | On or near St Lawrence Road | |
| April 2026 | Drugs | On or near Spitalhatch | |
| April 2026 | Drugs | On or near Parking Area | |
| April 2026 | Drugs | On or near Montecchio Way | |
| April 2026 | Drugs | On or near Beechwood Road | |
| April 2026 | Other theft | On or near Brewers Close | |
| April 2026 | Shoplifting | On or near Montecchio Way | |
| April 2026 | Shoplifting | On or near Parking Area | |
| April 2026 | Theft from the person | On or near Elmwood Close | |
| April 2026 | Vehicle crime | On or near Wooteys Way | |
| April 2026 | Vehicle crime | On or near Brewers Close | |
| April 2026 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Parking Area | |
| April 2026 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Butts Road | |
| April 2026 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Elmwood Close | |
| April 2026 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Parking Area | |
| April 2026 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Martins Close | |
| April 2026 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Martins Close | |
| April 2026 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Park Close Road | |
| April 2026 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Brick Kiln Lane | |
| April 2026 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Spitalfields Road |
Methodology & Data Sources
Alton Crime Report
Data Sources & Processing
Every month, CrimeRate processes crime reports from data.police.uk, the UK's official provider of open crime report data. Each crime report includes anonymised coordinates, most often "snapped" to the middle of the nearest street, or to the nearest major landmark. The reports also include the month and year the crime was reported, as well as the type of crime.
Data releases on data.police.uk happen once a month, with a two-month delay. This means that, for example, crimes reported in Alton during June 2026 will typically become available in August 2026. The latest release is for Apr 2026 and was released in Jun 2026. To provide current and historical crime statistics, CrimeRate processed 61,669,232 crime reports for the latest release.
Alton Data Points
For Alton, CrimeRate uses the geographic boundaries provided by The Office for National Statistics in the December 2023 release of their Parishes and Non Civil Parished Areas dataset, using the PARNCP23CD column value E04004490.
Due to the 2021 Census being conducted during a UK-wide Coronavirus lockdown, the daytime population figures released so far cannot be relied on for purposes such as comparing crime rates. Instead, CrimeRate uses Alton's daytime - or "workday" - population of 17,828 from the ONS 2011 Census for calculations throughout the site.
All geographic boundaries use the full resolution - extent of the realm versions where provided to avoid missing crime reports near coastlines and rivers - the banks of the Thames in particular - that would otherwise not be included when using the clipped to the coastline datasets.
Calculating Crime Rates
CrimeRate locates the UK region, county, and town/city/village locality for each crime report, and calculates the crime rate by taking the sum of all crime reports, dividing it by the locality's daytime / "workday" population, and multiplying the result by 1,000 to get the crime rate per 1,000.
Crime Risk Score Calculations
CrimeRate calculates crime counts for local, nearby, and wider areas for every postcode in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The postcodes locations are deduplicated by a process that ensures distinct points are approximately 50 metres apart. This process removes the bias that would otherwise come from counting the same crimes several times in heavily populated areas.
Using a custom algorithm developed in-house, CrimeRate applies a crime severity weighting to each area's crime counts, based on the type of crime reported. This increases or decreases the crime count, or zeroes it out entirely, depending on the crime type. A separate crime severity rate is then calculated, standardised, and scaled to fit the crime risk score range of 1 to 1,000, with 1 being the lowest score, and 1,000 the highest.
Crime risk scores undergo further analysis per town, city, and village plus other areas including police forces and neighbourhoods. CrimeRate uses percentiles to work out the most common range of crime risk scores in each locality. This includes identifying the high and low bounds where approximately 68% of scores fall, and finding the median (50th percentile) for easy reference.
The crime types with a weight of zero are: Anti-Social Behaviour; Bicycle Theft; Other Crime; Other Theft; and Shoplifting. The highest weights to are assigned to Violence & Sexual Offences, and the lowest to Vehicle Crime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Crime in Alton