Burley Crime Rate

Burley, a picturesque and popular village in the heart of the New Forest, is a safe urban settlement with an overall crime rate of 69.8 per 1,000 people. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.7, earning the area a solid safety score of 83/100. The village's crime rate is currently stable, with a minor -4.3% change year-over-year. Burley's crime profile is uniquely defined by a high proportion of vehicle crime, which is the most frequent offence in the area. Property crime rates sit at 36.5 per 1,000, which is slightly above the national average. This report provides a detailed breakdown of local crime types, monthly trends, and practical safety advice to help Burley residents and visitors maintain their secure community environment.

Crime Breakdown in Burley

Vehicle crime is the most common crime type in Burley, with 31 incidents accounting for 34.4% of total crime. This is followed by violence and sexual offences at 31.1% and criminal damage and arson at 10.0%. These figures indicate that property-related offences, particularly those involving vehicles, are the primary drivers of local crime statistics.

Property-related crime in Burley—including burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and shoplifting—occurs at a rate of 36.5 per 1,000 people. This is higher than the UK average of 32.3, highlighting that property security is a more significant issue in Burley than in many other New Forest villages. Vehicle crime is the top concern, accounting for 34.4% of all crime. Burglary makes up 3.3% of local activity, with 3 incidents reported in the last year. For residents and visitors, the data suggests that vehicle security should be a top priority, particularly as this is the most frequent offence. Maintaining visible deterrents and securing vehicles is essential to mitigate these risks.

Burley is currently seeing a stable trend in crime, with a minor -4.3% year-over-year change. This is a positive indicator for the village's safety. Monthly data from December 2024 to November 2025 shows that crime rates fluctuated throughout the year, with some notable peaks. The highest peak was seen in October (10.9), followed by December (9.3) and August (7.8).

The lowest points were recorded in June (0.8), April (2.3), and March (3.9). Following a summer peak, the crime rate saw a significant rise in the autumn before finishing the year. This stable trend, combined with the overall low volume, suggests that Burley is maintaining its reputation as a secure and peaceful residential community. However, the high proportion of vehicle crime remains a consistent factor that residents and visitors should be aware of year-round.

How To Keep Safe in Burley

Vehicle crime is the most common crime type in Burley, accounting for 34.4% of all incidents. Given the village's popularity with tourists and the high proportion of vehicle-related offences, staying safe is a priority.

• Secure Your Vehicle: Always remove all valuables from your car, even if they are hidden. Park in secure, well-lit locations and ensure all windows and doors are locked.
• Be Aware in Tourist Areas: When visiting popular spots, stay aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious activity near parked cars to the local police.
• Secure Your Home: While burglary is low (3.3%), criminal damage (10.0%) is a factor. Ensure your home has robust window and door locks and consider motion-activated lighting to deter opportunistic vandals.
• Personal Safety: Violence and sexual offences account for 31.1% of incidents. When walking through the village or using forest trails, especially after dark, stay aware of your surroundings and stick to well-lit paths.
• Engage with Neighbours: A connected community is a safer one. Joining a local watch scheme ensures that information about vehicle crime and suspicious activity is shared quickly.

Crime timing in Burley reveals a highly specific risk profile related to vehicle crime. Throughout the 24-hour cycle, vehicle-related offences are a major concern. During the morning and afternoon, vehicle crime accounts for 65% and 37% of incidents respectively.

However, the risk peaks dramatically during the night. Between 12am and 6am, vehicle crime accounts for a massive 84% of all reported incidents. This means property-related offences, specifically those targeting vehicles, make up almost all recorded activity during the early morning hours. This suggests that vehicles are being targeted when they are most likely to be unattended and the village is quiet. Residents and visitors are strongly advised to ensure their vehicles are fully secured and parked in the most secure locations possible before retiring for the evening to protect against these statistically significant night-time threats.

In the local context, Burley (69.8 crimes per 1,000) sees more activity than some of its neighbours. It has a higher crime rate than nearby Hightown at 44.7 and significantly more activity than the zero-crime rural hamlets of Burley Street, Thorney Hill, and Hangersley. This is largely due to Burley's role as a major tourism hub for the New Forest, which naturally attracts higher levels of footfall and associated vehicle-related criminal activity. These comparisons highlight Burley as a secure village that balances its role as a central tourist destination with a high level of safety.

With a property crime rate of 36.5 per 1,000 in Burley and vehicle crime being the top concern, residents and visitors should focus on enhancing their security through proactive measures. While the overall volume of crime is lower than the national average, property crime is slightly above it. Traditional security systems, such as standard CCTV or doorbell cameras, are reactive; they record a crime as it happens, which often does little to prevent the initial theft of a vehicle or its contents.

The scOS operating system offers a proactive alternative by using AI-powered multi-camera intelligence to monitor your property's perimeter and vehicles in real-time. It can distinguish between a routine visitor and someone loitering near your car at 3am. If a threat is detected, scOS can autonomously trigger a response—such as activating floodlights or a warning speaker—to deter the criminal before they even attempt a theft. For Burley residents, where vehicle crime makes up a staggering 84% of night-time activity, the ability to stop a threat at the boundary is the most effective way to ensure their property remains as safe as the statistics suggest.