Crime Rate in New Forest: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in New Forest

The total recorded crimes in New Forest, UK in July 2025 are around 1,188 as per the recent police data. This equates to a New Forest crime rate of 6.76 per 1,000 population.

It's important to note that this crime data is based on the Geographic Boundry data provided by the ONS around New Forest, encompassing approximately 175,782 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during Jul were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (472) incidents (71.01% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (175) incidents (57.66% increase)
  • Public order: (116) incidents (46.84% increase)
New Forest Crime Hotspots

The surrounding areas of below locations have emerged as crime hotspots,

  • Parking Area with total crimes: 36
  • Anchor Mews with total crimes: 17
  • Hatchet Lane with total crimes: 12

New Forest Police Info:

Hampshire Constabulary

How safe is New Forest?

To understand the safety of New Forest, we need to analyze New Forest crime statistics in relation to both national and regional averages. This report will examine the available data and provide a balanced assessment.

  • Relative to the UK:

    • New Forest has recorded 13,884 crimes in the current year, resulting in a crime rate of 78.98 per 1,000 residents. This places it at rank 214 out of 331 in the UK, indicating it is safer than average.

    • Yearly trends show that in the previous year, the city recorded 13,661 crimes with a crime rate of 77.72, ranking it 208 in the UK. This an increase in crime suggests Negative changes.

  • Relative to Hampshire:

    • In 2024, New Forest reported a higher crime volume than the Hampshire average, with 13,884 crimes compared to 10,291. This indicates a potentially challenging safety environment in the region for the year. Additionally, New Forest recorded fewer crimes than 9 out of 10 other cities.

    • In 2023, New Forest experienced a greater number of crimes than the Hampshire average, with 13,661 crimes compared to 9,558. This indicates a higher crime burden for the city in the region during this period. Additionally, New Forest recorded fewer crimes than 9 out of 10 other cities.

  • Overall Assessment:

    • Based on the available data, New Forest is considered safer compared to the national averages.

    • Compared to other cities in Hampshire, New Forest has a higher crime rate in 2024.

    • The trend in crime rates suggests Negative changes in overall safety.

New Forest Crime Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, Brockenhurst and Forest South East (134 crimes), and the safest, Downlands and Forest (4 crimes), is 130 crimes. This measurable difference indicates a some disparity in safety across New Forest.

Similarly, the area of Lymington Town & Boldre (172 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Barton on Sea (15 crimes), with a difference of 157 crimes. This noticeable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within New Forest.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Brockenhurst and Forest South East134
Totton East69
Totton North62
Pennington59
Lymington Town57

Safest Wards:

Becton13
Forest North West13
Barton12
Bashley10
Downlands and Forest4

Most Dangerous Areas:

Lymington Town & Boldre172
Totton Town82
Ringwood South69
Lymington North & West65
West Totton64

Safest Areas:

Milford & Lymington South31
Brockenhurst & Sway31
Ashurst & Cadnam29
Bransgore & Burley29
Barton on Sea15

New Forest Crime Statstics

In July 2025 the New Forest has recorded 1,188 crimes with crime rate of 6.76 ranking 244th out of 331 in the UK and ranked 2 out 331 in terms of total crimes and 6 in terms of crime rate in Hampshire.

In 2024, the total New Forest crimes were 13,884. The crime rate of New Forest in 2024 was 78.98 (year) or 6.58 (month) ranking it 214 danzarous in the UK. New Forest ranked 2 in terms of total crimes and 7 in terms of crime rate in Hampshire.

In 2023, the total crimes in New Forest were around 13,661 crimes with yearly crime rate of 77.72 (year) or 6.48 (month) ranking 208 out 331 most dangerous city in the UK. As compared to neighboring cities in Hampshire, New Forest ranked 2 out 331 in terms of total crimes or 6 as per crime rate of New Forest

CityJuly 202520242023
CrimesRank (Hampshire)CrimesRank (Hampshire)CrimesRank (Hampshire)
Hart426 115,641 115,130 11
East Hampshire627 107,756 107,463 10
Fareham680 97,596 97,241 9
Test Valley867 89,864 88,839 8
Basingstoke and Deane1,317 714,907 613,698 7
Winchester928 510,633 59,929 5
Eastleigh1,079 412,101 411,172 4
Havant1,013 312,564 111,272 3
Gosport713 18,226 37,597 1
Rushmoor840 210,028 29,134 2

New Forest Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

July 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 472 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 175 incidents.

During June 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (276 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (111 cases).

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (405 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (131 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (390 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (110 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (359 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (111 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 330 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 92 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (385 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (113 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 337 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 114 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (361 reports) and Criminal damage and arson incidents were also notably high (105 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (412 incidents), followed by Criminal damage and arson also remained a significant concern (97 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (382 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Public order (95 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (424 incidents) and then Public order showed a substantial number of incidents (130 incidents).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 1123 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 93.58 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 119 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202584
June 202566
May 202599
April 202593
March 202591
February 202586
January 2025102
December 202497
November 2024105
October 202497
September 202484
August 2024119

A total of 750 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 62.50 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 87 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202556
June 202546
May 202542
April 202583
March 202587
February 202554
January 202560
December 202467
November 202460
October 202471
September 202478
August 202446

A total of 1187 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 98.92 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 175 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025175
June 2025111
May 2025131
April 2025110
March 2025111
February 202570
January 202586
December 202473
November 202496
October 202467
September 202469
August 202488

A total of 1063 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 88.58 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 130 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025116
June 202579
May 2025100
April 202588
March 202584
February 202560
January 202592
December 202463
November 202464
October 202492
September 202495
August 2024130

A total of 906 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 75.50 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 114 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025114
June 202549
May 202579
April 202559
March 202557
February 202578
January 202566
December 202463
November 2024104
October 202455
September 202489
August 202493

A total of 244 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 20.33 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 28 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202514
June 202527
May 202518
April 202517
March 202518
February 202522
January 202514
December 202414
November 202425
October 202426
September 202428
August 202421

A total of 102 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 8.50 incidents per month. February 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 14 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20256
June 20255
May 20256
April 20256
March 20259
February 202514
January 20257
December 202411
November 202411
October 202412
September 20246
August 20249

A total of 53 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 4.42 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 10 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20253
June 202510
May 20254
April 20256
March 20253
February 20253
January 20251
December 20246
November 20242
October 20246
September 20241
August 20248

A total of 660 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 55.00 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 88 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202538
June 202538
May 202533
April 202542
March 202533
February 202540
January 202572
December 202488
November 202456
October 202482
September 202474
August 202464

A total of 256 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 21.33 incidents per month. January 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 36 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202514
June 202510
May 202533
April 202519
March 202512
February 202523
January 202536
December 202413
November 202425
October 202417
September 202435
August 202419

A total of 4533 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 377.75 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 472 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025472
June 2025276
May 2025405
April 2025390
March 2025359
February 2025330
January 2025385
December 2024337
November 2024361
October 2024412
September 2024382
August 2024424

A total of 41 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 3.42 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 7 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20252
June 20252
May 20257
April 20251
March 20252
February 20256
January 20253
December 20241
November 20247
October 20243
September 20242
August 20245

A total of 1058 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 88.17 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 114 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202586
June 202582
May 202574
April 202560
March 202596
February 202592
January 2025113
December 2024114
November 202472
October 202485
September 202491
August 202493

A total of 107 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 8.92 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 23 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20258
June 20253
May 20257
April 20257
March 20254
February 20255
January 20258
December 20246
November 20247
October 202418
September 202411
August 202423

High Crime Locations New Forest in July 2025

A detailed breakdown of crime incidents by location within the New Forest postcode area is presented below.

1. Parking Area (Map)
Total36
Other theft30
Vehicle crime6
2. Anchor Mews (Map)
Total17
Anti-social behaviour13
Shoplifting3
Other crime1
3. Hatchet Lane (Map)
Total12
Violence and sexual offences6
Anti-social behaviour6
4. Parking Area (Map)
Total12
Violence and sexual offences6
Anti-social behaviour6
5. Lodge Lane (Map)
Total12
Violence and sexual offences6
Public order6
6. Dock Lane (Map)
Total12
Other theft12

  • Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2021. This data is licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
  • Contains Office for National Statistics data licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0
  • Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.