Ashley (New Forest) Crime Rate

Ashley (New Forest) Crime Statistics

Ashley is an exceptionally safe urban settlement, with an overall crime rate of 41.4 per 1,000 residents per year. This is less than half the UK national average of 93.1, resulting in a very high safety score of 89/100. This score is significantly better than the UK average of 78, reflecting the area's secure and community-focused environment. Furthermore, the crime trend in Ashley is moving in a positive direction, with a 12.1% decrease in total offences over the past year. With a property crime rate of just 11.8, Ashley offers one of the most secure residential environments in the New Forest region. The detailed data below provides further insight into local crime types and their timing.

Crime Breakdown in Ashley (New Forest)

Crime in Ashley is primarily dominated by violence and sexual offences, which constitute 47.6% of all reported incidents (159 cases). Criminal damage and arson is the second most common category at 11.4%, followed closely by anti-social behaviour at 10.8%. This profile suggests that personal safety and social-conduct issues are the main concerns for the local community, rather than high-volume theft or burglary.

Property crime as a whole, including burglary, vehicle crime, and various thefts, occurs at a rate of 11.8 per 1,000 residents. This is exceptionally low compared to the UK national average of 32.9. Within this category, Ashley saw only 8 burglaries and 13 vehicle crimes over the past year. For residents and homeowners, these figures indicate a very safe environment with a low risk of asset-related crime. The presence of criminal damage as a top-three crime type, however, suggests that while major thefts are rare, opportunistic vandalism remains a factor that residents should be aware of.

Ashley (New Forest) Crime Trends

The crime trend in Ashley is currently moving in a positive direction, with a 12.1% decrease in total offences over the past year. Monthly data shows a generally low and stable crime rate, peaking at 4.7 per 1,000 residents in May 2025. The lowest activity was recorded in April 2025, with a rate of just 1.7. Since the May peak, the rate has fluctuated but generally remained low, settling at 2.7 in October 2025. This overall downward trend is an encouraging sign for the community, suggesting that the area is becoming even safer over time.

How To Keep Safe in Ashley (New Forest)

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Ashley, so personal safety awareness is a key priority. When walking in the area at night, try to stay on well-lit streets and avoid isolated shortcuts. If you are out alone, letting a friend or family member know your plans is always a good idea. Criminal damage and anti-social behaviour are also notable in the local stats; reporting any such incidents to the police helps them manage the community environment effectively. For homeowners, the low burglary rate is encouraging, but it's still important to ensure all doors and windows are securely locked. Always keep valuables out of sight in your vehicle and ensure it is locked, as this reduces the risk of opportunistic vehicle crime, which accounts for a higher percentage of night-time activity. Joining a local Neighbourhood Watch can also help you stay informed and connected with your neighbours.

Ashley (New Forest) Crime Time Patterns

Crime in Ashley follows a distinct temporal cycle. During the morning and afternoon, theft is the most prominent issue, accounting for 35% and 41% of incidents respectively. This is typical for residential areas during the day. As the day moves into the evening and night, 'other' crimes—including anti-social behaviour and public order offences—spike significantly, making up 62% of evening reports and 45% of night-time reports. Burglary remains a consistent but very low-level threat throughout the day, peaking slightly at night (14%) and in the afternoon (14%). Vehicle crime sees its highest relative frequency at night, rising to 35% of all reports between 12am and 6am. This suggests that while theft is a daytime concern, social-related offences and vehicle-related risks are more prevalent during the hours of darkness.

Local Context: Comparing Ashley (New Forest)

When compared to the surrounding areas, Ashley (41.4) stands out as a very safe residential choice. It is significantly more secure than nearby New Milton, which has a much higher crime rate of 93.9. While it is not quite as quiet as the highly rural, zero-crime hamlets of Hordle, Tiptoe, and Bashley, it offers an excellent balance for those who want to live in a larger residential area while maintaining a high level of safety. Ashley's crime profile is much more favourable than many other urban settlements in the region, making it a benchmark for safety in the New Milton and Ashley area.

Protecting Your Ashley Property

While Ashley enjoys a very low property crime rate of 11.8 per 1,000 people, the impact of any crime, especially criminal damage or burglary, can be distressing. Traditional security measures like basic CCTV or simple alarms are often reactive, providing evidence only after an incident has occurred. In a safe area like Ashley, a proactive security strategy is the most effective way to ensure your home remains protected.

Modern AI-driven systems like scOS offer this proactive edge by monitoring your property boundaries in real-time. Using multi-camera intelligence, scOS can identify potential threats as they approach your home. Instead of just recording an intruder, the system can autonomously engage deterrents like lighting and audio warnings the moment a threat is detected. This is particularly effective in deterring the criminal damage and opportunistic vehicle crime seen in the local area. Professional-grade protection like scOS ensures that your home is actively defended, maintaining the high standard of safety that Ashley residents expect and deserve.