Sussex and Hampshire record higher weapons possession rates than London
The Home Counties Residential Crime Risk Report 2026 shows Sussex at 1.41 offences per 1,000, nearly double London’s 0.79, with Hampshire and Kent also above the capital average.
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Named solicitor and the 2026 report provide figures, yet only a single source limits corroboration.
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Data is clear, includes stakeholder quote, but lacks next steps or broader commentary.
Higher is stronger
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The Standard reported that five of the eight Home Counties police force areas posted weapons possession rates higher than the London average in the latest residential crime risk analysis. The data cover the period from March 2025 to March 2026 and focus on offences recorded in residential neighbourhoods.
Rate comparisons with London
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Sussex topped the list with 1.41 offences per 1,000 population, a figure that is nearly double the 0.79 rate recorded across London. Hampshire followed with 1.06 offences per 1,000, and Kent posted 0.99 per 1,000. By contrast, the overall Home Counties average stood at 0.89 per 1,000, still above the capital’s figure.
The data is a stark reminder that violent crime can occur in any area, no matter how affluent.
Nick Titchener, Criminal Solicitor, Lawtons Solicitors
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The report also highlighted that six of the eight Home Counties saw an increase in weapons possession offences over the previous year. Bedfordshire experienced the steepest climb, with a 20% rise compared with its prior count. Hertfordshire, Surrey and Essex each posted increases of 15.72%, 13.36% and 12.60% respectively.
In contrast, Thames Valley Police recorded a 10.2% reduction in weapon offences, making it the only force in the region to report a decline. Within London, the boroughs of Greenwich, Enfield and Waltham Forest each registered a fall in similar offences, according to the same study.
What the figures mean for London residents
For people living in Barnet and other London boroughs, the comparison underscores that the capital’s overall rate remains lower than several neighbouring counties. However, the presence of higher rates just across the border suggests that cross‑area policing and community initiatives remain important. Local authorities continue to work with police and community groups to address knife and weapons crime, as noted by the Home Office’s recent drug‑line crackdown.
Questions this report answers
+How do Sussex’s weapon possession rates compare with London’s?
Sussex recorded 1.41 offences per 1,000 residents, which is almost twice the London average of 0.79 per 1,000, according to the Standard’s coverage of the 2026 residential crime risk report.
+Which Home County saw the biggest increase in weapon offences last year?
Bedfordshire experienced the largest year‑on‑year rise, with a 20% increase in weapons possession offences, as reported by the Standard in its analysis of the Home Counties data.
+What reduction did Thames Valley Police report in weapon offences?
Thames Valley Police reported a 10.2% drop in weapons possession offences over the same period, making it the only Home Counties force to show a decline, according to the Standard.
+Are any London boroughs seeing a decline in weapon offences?
Yes, the report notes that Greenwich, Enfield and Waltham Forest each recorded a reduction in weapons possession offences during the year, contrasting with the upward trends in most Home Counties.
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