New Forest Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime Statistics in New Forest

New Forest experiences an overall crime rate of 62.2 per 1,000 people per year, which is considerably lower than the national UK average of 93.4 per 1,000. This contributes to a robust safety score of 85 out of 100, placing New Forest well above the UK average safety score of 78. In a positive trend for residents, the area has seen a 5.1% decrease in its crime rate year-over-year, indicating an improving safety landscape. These figures provide an overview of the area's security, setting the context for a more detailed analysis of specific crime types and trends within New Forest.

About New Forest

The New Forest, a predominantly rural and suburban local authority district, is characterised by its expansive national park, scattered villages, and smaller market towns. Its unique blend of residential areas, significant natural landscapes, and a strong tourism industry influences its crime statistics. The population of 176116 residents, while substantial, is spread across a large geographical area, leading to lower population density compared to more urbanised districts. The presence of tourist attractions and seasonal visitors can sometimes impact certain crime types, particularly theft. However, the strong community feel in many of its settlements, coupled with a generally affluent demographic, often contributes to a lower overall crime rate and a higher safety score. Economic factors in this largely rural and residential district tend to support a stable environment, which is reflected in its crime profile.

Crime Type Analysis in New Forest

An examination of crime types in New Forest reveals that Violence and sexual offences (41.5% of total, 25.8 per 1,000) constitutes the most significant category. Following this, Anti-social behaviour (9.7% of total, 6.0 per 1,000) is the second most common, and Criminal damage and arson (8.9% of total, 5.5 per 1000) ranks third. These figures highlight specific areas of concern for local authorities and residents.

Looking at property-related crime, which includes burglary, theft from person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft, New Forest has a rate of 22.2 per 1,000 people per year. This is notably lower than the UK average property crime rate of 33.2 per 1,000. For residents and homeowners, these statistics suggest that while property crime exists, the risk is comparatively lower, yet remaining vigilant and implementing robust security measures is always advisable to protect your home and belongings.

Crime Trends in New Forest

New Forest has experienced a positive trend in its crime rate, showing a 5.1% decrease year-over-year. This indicates an improving safety situation within the area. Reviewing the monthly crime rate data per 1,000 people, the trend generally shows fluctuations but provides insight into recent patterns. For example, crime rates included October 2024: 5.4, March 2025: 5.0, and September 2025: 4.8. The overarching pattern points to a reduction in reported incidents. This decreasing trend is encouraging for residents, suggesting that New Forest is becoming a safer place to live. Continued efforts in community safety and policing likely contribute to these developments, offering a degree of reassurance or highlighting areas for vigilance to those residing in or considering moving to the area.

Crime Comparison with Nearby Areas

To provide a broader regional context, it is helpful to compare New Forest's crime statistics with its neighbouring local authorities. Southampton is a nearby local authority. Eastleigh is a nearby local authority. Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole is a nearby local authority. Fareham is a nearby local authority. Isle of Wight is a nearby local authority. Gosport is a nearby local authority. When considering these comparisons, New Forest's overall crime rate of 62.2 per 1,000 and safety score of 85/100 provide a benchmark against the regional landscape.

Protecting Your Home in New Forest

Given New Forest's property crime rate of 22.2 per 1,000 people per year, which is below the national average of 33.2, it is important for residents to consider robust home security. Traditional CCTV systems often only provide footage after a burglary has occurred, acting reactively rather than proactively. However, modern AI-powered home security operating systems, like scOS, offer a different approach.

Instead of merely recording an incident, scOS is designed to prevent crime before it happens. Its proactive protection capabilities use multi-camera intelligence to detect threats at the property boundary, rather than after an intruder has gained access. Features such as DVLA vehicle verification can instantly identify suspicious vehicles, while pattern learning distinguishes between family, deliveries, and genuine threats, only alerting you when necessary. This allows for an autonomous response, where lights activate and speakers engage, destroying the element of surprise that burglars rely on. Most burglars make a decision within 60 seconds; a visible and intelligent deterrence system like scOS can make them move on. While DIY systems have their place, a professional-grade solution offers serious protection, shifting the focus from documenting a crime to actively stopping it.