Concern over rise in Hampshire youth crime
The force's Police and Crime Commissioner is calling for more to be done to reduce offences
Last updated 12th Feb 2025
Hampshire and the Isle of Wight's Police and Crime Commissioner has said the growing trend of young people getting involved in serious violent crime in the county is concerning.
Data released by Donna Jones' office shows just under one in five serious violence suspects in the county in 2023/24 (19.9%) were between 10 and 17 years of age.
That compares with 17% in the year before, which in itself was a rise of 10% on the 12 months before that.
Around three-fifths of all serious crime recorded in that time (58.5%) happened in public places, with possession of weapons offences accounting for 45% of those.
The total number of crimes recorded in the county fell by more than 10,000 in 12 months, though, with 158,210 recorded in the year to September 2024 compared with 169,116 in the 12 months beforehand.
Ms Jones has described the figures as a 'wake-up call', adding:
"We are seeing too many young people involved in serious crime.
"While we must continue to support victims, we also need to crack down on violence and stop young people from being drawn into crime in the first place.
"That’s why I’m recruiting more police officers, investing in crime prevention projects, youth interventions, and demanding tougher action when it comes to preventing youth violence.
"More must be done to make our streets safer and to stop young people from targeting each other and becoming involved in the criminal justice system."
Police are highlighting the use of Victim Care Hubs as a way of offering specialist support to victims of crime.
Based in Portsmouth, Southampton, Basingstoke and Newport on the Isle of Wight, they have provided support to over 74,000 people in the past year alone.
To mark the first anniversary of the Victim Care Hubs, the Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales, Baroness Newlove, visited the Northern Police Investigation Centre in Basingstoke to meet frontline staff and see the service in action.
Highlighting the event, Baroness Newlove said:
"I am grateful to PCC Donna Jones for the opportunity to meet with dedicated frontline workers and mark this important milestone.
"Time and again, victims share with me how services like these are a lifeline—offering emotional and practical support that helps them cope, recover, and find a path forward."
Those who have been victims of crime, or know someone who has been affected, can get free, confidential support from Victim Care Hubs by calling 0808 178 1641 or via Hub.hiow@victimsupport.org.uk.