The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary has published updated crime figures for January 2026 across Southampton, Hampshire, to show residents the latest safety trends in their local areas. These updates allow people to see if crime is rising or falling in their specific neighbourhood and help community groups focus on where prevention work is needed most.
In the Bargate ward, there were 575 total crimes recorded during January 2026, which is a small increase from 562 incidents in December 2025. Violence and sexual offences were the most common crimes reported in several parts of the city, including Shirley and Freemantle as well as Coxford, Redbridge and Millbrook.
The update follows several significant police actions, including a 10-year prison sentence given to a 25-year-old man on 27 February 2026 for a rape committed in the city. Earlier in the month, on 6 February 2026, A/Inspector Yozanne Richards oversaw a policing plan for protests at The Highfield House Hotel that ended peacefully without any arrests or the need for dispersal powers. The force also supported a national firearms amnesty during February 2026 to remove certain types of blank-firing guns from the streets.
Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones recently described the government funding settlement for 2026-27 as a bitter blow to the region. Despite these financial concerns, officers are encouraging residents to sign up for Hampshire Alert to receive real-time updates and share information that helps the team tackle local priorities like shoplifting and anti-social behaviour.
