Crime Rate in New Forest: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in New Forest

The total recorded crimes in New Forest, New Forest in January 2025 are around 1,045 as per the recent police data. This equates to a New Forest crime rate of 5.94 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 Jan were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (385) incidents (14.24% increase)
  • Shoplifting: (113) incidents (-0.88% decrease)
  • Criminal damage and arson: (102) incidents (5.15% increase)
New Forest Crime Hotspots

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

  • Twiggs Lane End with total crimes: 18
  • Lodge Lane with total crimes: 12
  • Sports/Recreation Area with total crimes: 11

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 (111 crimes), and the safest, Downlands and Forest (4 crimes), is 107 crimes. This measurable difference indicates a some disparity in safety across New Forest.

Similarly, the area of Lymington Town & Boldre (138 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Hordle & Bashley (18 crimes), with a difference of 120 crimes. This measurable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within New Forest.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Brockenhurst and Forest South East111
Totton East80
Ringwood South64
Totton North54
Lymington Town48

Safest Wards:

Hordle9
Bashley7
Ringwood East and Sopley7
Buckland6
Downlands and Forest4

Most Dangerous Areas:

Lymington Town & Boldre138
Totton Town102
Ringwood South69
New Milton East64
Marchwood & Dibden54

Safest Areas:

Ringwood North & Ibsley25
Holbury South24
Barton on Sea23
Milford & Lymington South19
Hordle & Bashley18

New Forest Crime Statstics

In January 2025 the New Forest has recorded 1,045 crimes with crime rate of 5.94 ranking 205th out of 331 in the UK and ranked 2 out 331 in terms of total crimes and 5 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

CityJanuary 202520242023
CrimesRank (Hampshire)CrimesRank (Hampshire)CrimesRank (Hampshire)
Hart350 115,641 115,130 11
East Hampshire579 107,756 107,463 10
Fareham536 87,596 97,241 9
Test Valley608 99,864 88,839 8
Basingstoke and Deane1,157 414,907 613,698 7
Winchester688 710,633 59,929 5
Eastleigh774 612,101 411,172 4
Havant925 212,564 111,272 3
Gosport580 38,226 37,597 1
Rushmoor745 110,028 29,134 2

New Forest Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

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).

July 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 474 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 134 incidents.

During June 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (844 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (292 cases).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 841 Public order incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 105.12 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 188 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202592
December 202463
November 202464
October 202492
September 202495
August 2024130
July 2024117
June 2024188

A total of 130 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 16.25 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 40 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 20258
December 20246
November 20247
October 202418
September 202411
August 202423
July 202417
June 202440

A total of 183 Other crime incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 22.88 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 34 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202514
December 202414
November 202425
October 202426
September 202428
August 202421
July 202421
June 202434

A total of 34 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 4.25 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 7 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 20253
December 20241
November 20247
October 20243
September 20242
August 20245
July 20247
June 20246

A total of 566 Burglary incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 70.75 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 110 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202560
December 202467
November 202460
October 202471
September 202478
August 202446
July 202474
June 2024110

A total of 3619 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 452.38 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 844 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 2025385
December 2024337
November 2024361
October 2024412
September 2024382
August 2024424
July 2024474
June 2024844

A total of 744 Other theft incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 93.00 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 170 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202566
December 202463
November 2024104
October 202455
September 202489
August 202493
July 2024104
June 2024170

A total of 99 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 12.38 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 32 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 20257
December 202411
November 202411
October 202412
September 20246
August 20249
July 202411
June 202432

A total of 51 Robbery incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 6.38 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 20 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 20251
December 20246
November 20242
October 20246
September 20241
August 20248
July 20247
June 202420

A total of 228 Drugs incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 28.50 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 52 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202536
December 202413
November 202425
October 202417
September 202435
August 202419
July 202431
June 202452

A total of 683 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 85.38 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 160 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202572
December 202488
November 202456
October 202482
September 202474
August 202464
July 202487
June 2024160

A total of 905 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 113.12 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 292 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202586
December 202473
November 202496
October 202467
September 202469
August 202488
July 2024134
June 2024292

A total of 784 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 98.00 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 148 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 2025113
December 2024114
November 202472
October 202485
September 202491
August 202493
July 202468
June 2024148

A total of 878 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 109.75 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 166 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 2025102
December 202497
November 2024105
October 202497
September 202484
August 2024119
July 2024108
June 2024166

High Crime Locations New Forest in January 2025

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

1. Twiggs Lane End (Map)
Total18
Drugs18
2. Lodge Lane (Map)
Total12
Public order6
Criminal damage and arson6
3. Sports/Recreation Area (Map)
Total11
Violence and sexual offences8
Criminal damage and arson2
Possession of weapons1
4. Kitchers Close (Map)
Total10
Criminal damage and arson5
Anti-social behaviour4
Public order1
5. Supermarket (Map)
Total9
Shoplifting4
Public order4
Bicycle theft1
6. Supermarket (Map)
Total8
Shoplifting7
Vehicle crime1

  • 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.