Burley Crime Rate

Burley is a safe and iconic village in the New Forest, with a crime rate of 66.7 per 1,000 residents. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.6, contributing to a strong safety score of 83/100. The area is also seeing a positive trend, with a 14.9% year-over-year decrease in total crime. While the overall property crime rate of 32.6 per 1,000 is almost identical to the national average, vehicle crime is an exceptionally high component of local statistics, accounting for nearly a third of all incidents. This report provides a detailed analysis of Burley's crime data, including monthly trends and time-of-day insights, to help residents and visitors understand and manage local safety risks effectively.

Crime Breakdown in Burley

Burley's crime profile is led by violence and sexual offences, which account for 29 incidents or 33.7% of the total recorded crime. Vehicle crime is a very significant second, making up 32.6% of all incidents, followed by public order and criminal damage, both at 9.3%. When examining property-related crime as a whole—including burglary, vehicle crime, and various thefts—the rate in Burley is 32.6 per 1,000 residents. This is almost identical to the UK average of 32.2. Vehicle crime is an exceptionally high factor here, accounting for nearly a third of all crime, which is much higher than in most neighbouring villages. Burglary accounts for 3.5% of incidents. For residents and visitors, this means that while the village is generally safe, vehicle security is a critical priority for the community.

Crime Trends in Burley

The crime trend in Burley is currently on a positive downward trajectory, with a 14.9% decrease in total offences year-over-year. Monthly data for 2025 reveals a fluctuating but generally manageable crime rate. The year started with a rate of 7.0 per 1,000 in January and saw its lowest point in June at just 0.8. There was a significant peak in October at 10.9, which reflects a seasonal increase in activity, possibly linked to the high volume of visitors during the autumn. The rate subsided again towards the end of the year, finishing at 6.2 in December. This overall reduction is an encouraging sign for the area, suggesting that local safety measures and community awareness are effectively keeping crime levels low. For residents, this trend reinforces Burley's reputation as a safe and improving place to live, despite the seasonal spikes in activity.

How To Keep Safe in Burley

The most commonly reported crime in Burley is violence and sexual offences, but vehicle crime is a very close second, accounting for nearly 33% of the total. To stay safe, residents and visitors must prioritise vehicle security; always ensure your car is locked, parked in a well-lit area, and never leave any valuables inside, as vehicle crime is exceptionally high in the village. Staying aware of your surroundings in busier areas is also important. For residents, ensuring that your home and any outbuildings are well-secured can act as a powerful deterrent against opportunistic theft. Being part of a local neighbourhood watch scheme or staying connected with neighbours can help maintain the village's security. Finally, always report suspicious activity to the police, as local intelligence is vital for keeping crime rates on their current downward trend. Taking these proactive steps, especially regarding vehicle safety, will help ensure Burley remains a secure environment for everyone.

Crime timing in Burley shows an extraordinary dominance of vehicle-related offences. During the morning, vehicle crime accounts for 61% of incidents, and this remains high at 33% in the afternoon. Evening hours see a rise back to 59%, but the most critical period is night-time (12am - 6am), where vehicle crime makes up a staggering 81% of the period's total. Burglary risk is highest in the afternoon at 19%, while 'Other' crimes are most frequent in the evening at 25%. These figures suggest that vehicles are under significant threat throughout the day and night in Burley, with the hours of darkness being particularly high-risk. Residents and visitors should ensure that vehicles are parked as securely as possible at all times, but especially overnight, to mitigate this extreme risk. The concentration of vehicle crime at night is the most important safety factor in the village.

Burley is a major hub in the New Forest and compares well with its neighbours. Its crime rate of 66.7 per 1,000 is higher than nearby Hightown at 46.1. In contrast, the tiny neighbouring hamlets of Burley Street, Thorney Hill, and Hangersley recorded no crimes during the same period, which is typical for very sparsely populated rural areas. Burley's higher rate reflects its status as a premier tourist destination with a high volume of visitors and vehicles throughout the year. Despite this activity, it remains a very safe location compared to larger UK towns and maintains an overall downward trend in crime.

With a property crime rate of 32.6 per 1,000 people, Burley residents and visitors should be especially mindful of security, particularly regarding vehicles. Vehicle crime is a major factor in the local data, and while burglary is less frequent, it remains a concern. Traditional security systems are often reactive—they record footage of a crime after it has occurred. For those who want to prevent crime, a proactive system like scOS is the superior choice. scOS uses AI to monitor your property boundaries in real-time, identifying potential threats before they can attempt a break-in or vehicle theft. By deploying autonomous responses, such as activating lights or speakers, scOS removes the element of surprise that offenders rely on. In a village like Burley, where vehicle crime is such a dominant part of the profile, a sophisticated system like scOS ensures that your property and vehicles remain difficult targets, providing real-time prevention rather than just evidence after the fact.