Car crime in Winchester: 2026 figures

Winchester recorded 68 vehicle crimes in the 12 months to April 2026. At 1.32 per 1,000 residents, that's well below the Hampshire rate of 3.00.

Here are the figures, what they mean, and what actually protects a car on the drive.

The figures

Source: CrimeRate, using police-recorded crime published on police.uk for the 12 months ending April 2026. "Vehicle crime" covers thefts of vehicles, thefts from vehicles and interfering with vehicles. Rates are per 1,000 residents. Figures are rounded and change monthly.

What the numbers mean for you

Winchester has one of the lowest vehicle crime rates of any town we cover. But a low rate doesn't mean the cars aren't worth taking.

Cars in the Winchester district are newer than average, and new cars are more likely to be keyless. Relay thieves choose the car first, so a desirable keyless car on the drive is a target wherever it's parked.

How to protect your car

1. Block the key signal. Keep your keys in a signal-blocking pouch or tin at night, away from the front door. It costs a few pounds and stops relay theft, as long as you use it every night.

2. Make the car hard to drive. A steering lock is cheap and visible. Some cars can also have a PIN-code immobiliser fitted.

3. Stop the car leaving. A telescopic bollard locked in front of the car means it can't be driven off the drive, however it was unlocked. In the older parts of the city, check whether your home is listed or in the conservation area first.

More on how relay theft works in our keyless car theft guide.

Questions people ask

Where can I see crime on my own street? police.uk maps reported crimes month by month. Search your postcode.

Does a bollard stop my car being broken into? No. It stops the car being driven away. Pair it with a signal-blocking pouch.

Do you fit in Winchester? Yes. See our Winchester page for prices and the areas we cover.