Fordingbridge Crime Rate

Fordingbridge is an active market town with a crime rate of 85.2 per 1,000 people, which sits just below the UK average of 91.6. The area currently holds a safety score of 79/100, reflecting a security level that is typical for a town of its size and activity level. However, recent statistics show an increasing trend, with a 12.3% rise in year-over-year crime. While the property crime rate of 24.0 per 1,000 is lower than the national average, the upward trend in overall offences suggests that residents should stay informed about local safety. This report breaks down the most common crimes and provides insights into when and where they occur to help the community stay protected.

Crime Breakdown in Fordingbridge

Fordingbridge experiences a crime rate where violence and sexual offences are the most frequent, totalling 189 incidents and making up 42.3% of all recorded crime. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common issue at 15.0%, followed by public order offences at 10.3%. When examining property-related crime, the area has an overall rate of 24.0 per 1,000 residents. This category encompasses burglary, vehicle crime, shoplifting, and various thefts. Shoplifting is a notable component of this, representing 5.2% of total crime. Burglary and vehicle crime account for 4.0% and 3.4% respectively. While the property crime rate is lower than the UK average of 32.2, it is higher than many surrounding rural settlements, indicating that homeowners and local business owners should prioritise robust security measures to protect their assets.

Crime Trends in Fordingbridge

Fordingbridge has experienced a 12.3% increase in total crime over the past year, a trend that warrants attention from the local community. Monthly data from 2025 shows considerable volatility. The year began with relatively stable rates around 6.5 per 1,000 in January and February. However, April saw a significant spike to 12.6, nearly double the rate of previous months. While the rate dipped in June to 4.6, it rose again during the summer months of July and August. The year ended with a rate of 5.0 in December. This fluctuating but generally upward trend indicates that crime is not currently subsidising in the area. For residents, this means that maintaining consistent security measures is more important than ever, as the likelihood of opportunistic crime has increased compared to the previous twelve-month period.

How To Keep Safe in Fordingbridge

Violence and sexual offences are the most commonly reported crimes in Fordingbridge, making up over 42% of the total. To stay safe, it is important to remain aware of your surroundings, especially when walking through the town centre during evening hours. If you are out late, try to stay with a group and use well-lit main roads. For local business owners and residents, anti-social behaviour is also a significant factor; participating in local 'Town Watch' schemes can help foster a collective approach to safety. Additionally, ensure that your home security is updated, as a visible deterrent can prevent opportunistic crimes. Reporting any suspicious activity to the police immediately helps them allocate resources more effectively to the areas that need them most. Taking these proactive steps will help maintain the town's safety for everyone.

In Fordingbridge, crime patterns fluctuate significantly throughout the 24-hour cycle. Theft-related offences, including shoplifting, are most prevalent during the daylight hours, accounting for 41% of morning crimes and 45% of afternoon incidents. This aligns with the town's commercial activity. As evening approaches, the 'Other' crime category increases to 54%, often reflecting public order issues. Night-time (12am - 6am) brings a specific risk to property, with vehicle crime making up 31% of the period's total and burglary accounting for 22%. These night-time figures are notably higher than during the day, suggesting that while the town is busy and safe during the day, unattended vehicles and homes are more vulnerable under the cover of darkness. Residents should prioritise vehicle security and home boundary protection during these high-risk late-night hours.

Fordingbridge serves as a central hub for several smaller, very quiet settlements. When compared to Sandleheath, which has a much lower crime rate of 27.7 per 1,000, Fordingbridge appears more active. Notably, several nearby areas such as Godshill, Frogham, and Hyde recorded zero crimes in the same period, which is common for very small, rural New Forest hamlets. This comparison highlights that while Fordingbridge is safe by national standards, it is the primary location for recorded incidents in its immediate vicinity due to its shops, services, and larger population. Residents in the town should be aware that its crime profile is more urban than its rural neighbours.

The property crime rate in Fordingbridge stands at 24.0 per 1,000 people, encompassing burglary, vehicle crime, and theft. In an environment where crime has shown a 12.3% increase, traditional security methods may no longer be sufficient. Most homeowners rely on reactive systems—cameras that record a crime as it happens. While this provides evidence, it does not prevent the loss or trauma associated with a break-in. Proactive protection, such as that offered by scOS, changes this dynamic. By using AI to monitor all cameras simultaneously, scOS can identify a potential intruder at the property boundary. This autonomous response—activating lights or speakers—removes the element of surprise that burglars rely on. Given that most burglars decide whether to target a house within 60 seconds, a visible, intelligent system like scOS is a powerful deterrent. For Fordingbridge residents, moving from reactive recording to proactive prevention is the most effective way to secure their homes against the current upward trend in local statistics.