Crime Rate in New Forest: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in New Forest

The total recorded crimes in New Forest, UK in May 2025 are around 1,038 as per the recent police data. This equates to a New Forest crime rate of 5.91 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 May were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (405) incidents (3.85% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (131) incidents (19.09% increase)
  • Public order: (100) incidents (13.64% increase)
New Forest Crime Hotspots

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

  • Supermarket with total crimes: 13
  • Main Road with total crimes: 12
  • Maynard Road with total crimes: 10

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, Totton East (80 crimes), and the safest, Downlands and Forest (4 crimes), is 76 crimes. This measurable difference indicates a some disparity in safety across New Forest.

Similarly, the area of Totton Town (90 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Barton on Sea (12 crimes), with a difference of 78 crimes. This measurable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within New Forest.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Totton East80
Brockenhurst and Forest South East74
Milton72
Ringwood South62
Totton North59

Safest Wards:

Totton Central11
Barton10
Hordle10
Milford9
Downlands and Forest4

Most Dangerous Areas:

Totton Town90
Lymington Town & Boldre88
New Milton East82
Ringwood South66
West Totton64

Safest Areas:

Bransgore & Burley25
Ashurst & Cadnam21
Totton Rushington21
Milford & Lymington South14
Barton on Sea12

New Forest Crime Statstics

In May 2025 the New Forest has recorded 1,038 crimes with crime rate of 5.91 ranking 261th 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

CityMay 202520242023
CrimesRank (Hampshire)CrimesRank (Hampshire)CrimesRank (Hampshire)
Hart452 115,641 115,130 11
East Hampshire648 107,756 107,463 10
Fareham614 97,596 97,241 9
Test Valley766 89,864 88,839 8
Basingstoke and Deane1,233 714,907 613,698 7
Winchester755 510,633 59,929 5
Eastleigh945 412,101 411,172 4
Havant900 312,564 111,272 3
Gosport688 18,226 37,597 1
Rushmoor753 210,028 29,134 2

New Forest Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

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).

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 134 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 11.17 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 32 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20256
April 20256
March 20259
February 202514
January 20257
December 202411
November 202411
October 202412
September 20246
August 20249
July 202411
June 202432

A total of 1247 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 103.92 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 166 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202599
April 202593
March 202591
February 202586
January 2025102
December 202497
November 2024105
October 202497
September 202484
August 2024119
July 2024108
June 2024166

A total of 5103 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 425.25 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 844 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025405
April 2025390
March 2025359
February 2025330
January 2025385
December 2024337
November 2024361
October 2024412
September 2024382
August 2024424
July 2024474
June 2024844

A total of 1173 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 97.75 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 188 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025100
April 202588
March 202584
February 202560
January 202592
December 202463
November 202464
October 202492
September 202495
August 2024130
July 2024117
June 2024188

A total of 1106 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 92.17 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 148 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202574
April 202560
March 202596
February 202592
January 2025113
December 2024114
November 202472
October 202485
September 202491
August 202493
July 202468
June 2024148

A total of 153 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 12.75 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 40 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20257
April 20257
March 20254
February 20255
January 20258
December 20246
November 20247
October 202418
September 202411
August 202423
July 202417
June 202440

A total of 67 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 5.58 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 20 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20254
April 20256
March 20253
February 20253
January 20251
December 20246
November 20242
October 20246
September 20241
August 20248
July 20247
June 202420

A total of 258 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 21.50 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 34 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202518
April 202517
March 202518
February 202522
January 202514
December 202414
November 202425
October 202426
September 202428
August 202421
July 202421
June 202434

A total of 831 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 69.25 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 160 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202533
April 202542
March 202533
February 202540
January 202572
December 202488
November 202456
October 202482
September 202474
August 202464
July 202487
June 2024160

A total of 315 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 26.25 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 52 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202533
April 202519
March 202512
February 202523
January 202536
December 202413
November 202425
October 202417
September 202435
August 202419
July 202431
June 202452

A total of 50 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 4.17 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 7 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20257
April 20251
March 20252
February 20256
January 20253
December 20241
November 20247
October 20243
September 20242
August 20245
July 20247
June 20246

A total of 1327 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 110.58 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 292 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025131
April 2025110
March 2025111
February 202570
January 202586
December 202473
November 202496
October 202467
September 202469
August 202488
July 2024134
June 2024292

A total of 1017 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 84.75 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 170 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202579
April 202559
March 202557
February 202578
January 202566
December 202463
November 2024104
October 202455
September 202489
August 202493
July 2024104
June 2024170

A total of 832 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 69.33 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 110 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202542
April 202583
March 202587
February 202554
January 202560
December 202467
November 202460
October 202471
September 202478
August 202446
July 202474
June 2024110

High Crime Locations New Forest in May 2025

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

1. Supermarket (Map)
Total13
Other theft5
Violence and sexual offences4
Shoplifting4
2. Main Road (Map)
Total12
Violence and sexual offences6
Other theft6
3. Maynard Road (Map)
Total10
Shoplifting8
Other theft1
Bicycle theft1
4. Park/Open Space (Map)
Total9
Violence and sexual offences6
Public order3
5. The Paddock (Map)
Total9
Shoplifting9
6. Loperwood Lane (Map)
Total8
Violence and sexual offences6
Public order2

To know about postcode areas in New Forest, visit New Forest information

  • 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.