Crime Rate in New Forest: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in New Forest

The total recorded crimes in New Forest, UK in March 2025 are around 966 as per the recent police data. This equates to a New Forest crime rate of 5.50 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 Mar were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (359) incidents (8.79% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (111) incidents (58.57% increase)
  • Shoplifting: (96) incidents (4.35% increase)
New Forest Crime Hotspots

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

  • Hatchet Lane with total crimes: 18
  • Beaulieu Road with total crimes: 18
  • Nelson Close with total crimes: 16

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 (127 crimes), and the safest, Bashley (7 crimes), is 120 crimes. This measurable difference indicates a some disparity in safety across New Forest.

Similarly, the area of Lymington Town & Boldre (113 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Barton on Sea (12 crimes), with a difference of 101 crimes. This measurable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within New Forest.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Brockenhurst and Forest South East127
Milton72
Totton East63
Dibden and Hythe East60
Totton West47

Safest Wards:

Barton8
Forest North West8
Ringwood East and Sopley8
Downlands and Forest8
Bashley7

Most Dangerous Areas:

Lymington Town & Boldre113
Totton Town83
New Milton East67
West Totton64
New Milton West60

Safest Areas:

Holbury South22
Ringwood North & Ibsley21
Hordle & Bashley19
Totton Rushington17
Barton on Sea12

New Forest Crime Statstics

In March 2025 the New Forest has recorded 966 crimes with crime rate of 5.50 ranking 10075th 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

CityMarch 202520242023
CrimesRank (Hampshire)CrimesRank (Hampshire)CrimesRank (Hampshire)
Hart432 125,641 115,130 11
East Hampshire575 107,756 107,463 10
Fareham585 97,596 97,241 9
Test Valley764 89,864 88,839 8
Basingstoke and Deane1,163 714,907 613,698 7
Winchester825 510,633 59,929 5
Eastleigh895 412,101 411,172 4
Havant883 312,564 111,272 3
Gosport636 18,226 37,597 1
Rushmoor768 210,028 29,134 2

New Forest Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

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 139 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 13.90 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 40 reported cases.

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

A total of 707 Burglary incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 70.70 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 110 reported cases.

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

A total of 223 Other crime incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 22.30 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 34 reported cases.

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

A total of 985 Public order incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 98.50 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 188 reported cases.

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

A total of 263 Drugs incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 26.30 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 52 reported cases.

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

A total of 4308 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 430.80 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 844 reported cases.

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

A total of 1086 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 108.60 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 292 reported cases.

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

A total of 1055 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 105.50 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 166 reported cases.

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

A total of 879 Other theft incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 87.90 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 170 reported cases.

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

A total of 122 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 12.20 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 32 reported cases.

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

A total of 57 Robbery incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 5.70 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 20 reported cases.

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

A total of 972 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 97.20 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 148 reported cases.

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

A total of 42 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 4.20 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 7 reported cases.

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

A total of 756 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 75.60 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 160 reported cases.

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

High Crime Locations New Forest in March 2025

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

1. Hatchet Lane (Map)
Total18
Burglary12
Criminal damage and arson6
2. Beaulieu Road (Map)
Total18
Anti-social behaviour12
Burglary6
3. Nelson Close (Map)
Total16
Violence and sexual offences8
Public order3
Criminal damage and arson3
Possession of weapons2
4. Maynard Road (Map)
Total14
Shoplifting11
Anti-social behaviour2
Other theft1
5. The Paddock (Map)
Total11
Shoplifting11
6. Hospital (Map)
Total8
Violence and sexual offences3
Public order3
Other theft1
Criminal damage and arson1

  • 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.