Fordingbridge Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Fordingbridge’s crime profile in January 2024 reveals a distinct balance between property and violent crime, shaped by the area’s rural yet built-up character. With 25 total crimes reported, the area recorded a crime rate of 4.8 per 1,000 residents, placing it 35.1% below the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000. Property crimes accounted for 15 of the total, or 60% of incidents, while violent crimes made up 6, or 24% of the overall figure. This split suggests a focus on property-related offences, a pattern often seen in areas with lower population density and fewer commercial hubs. The breakdown shows that vehicle crime, at 6 incidents (1.1 per 1,000), is 120% above the UK average, likely reflecting the area’s road networks and rural infrastructure. In contrast, violence and sexual offences, at 6 cases (1.1 per 1,000), are 58% below the UK average, consistent with the seasonal context of January—a month marked by shorter days, reduced retail activity, and fewer outdoor interactions. The seasonal dip in public order offences, which fell by 75% compared to December, aligns with the post-holiday lull and lower foot traffic in the New Forest region. These patterns illustrate how Fordingbridge’s unique geography and seasonal rhythms influence its crime mix, offering a snapshot of a community where property-focused offences dominate but overall crime remains well below national averages.

January 2024 saw a dramatic 500% increase in vehicle crime, rising from one to six incidents. This surge, consistent with the area’s proximity to major transport routes and rural roads, may partly explain the anomaly. Criminal damage and arson also doubled from zero to five cases, a sharp shift that contrasts with the previous month’s absence of such incidents. Meanwhile, public order offences dropped by 75%, from four to one, reflecting a seasonal dip in incidents typically linked to reduced foot traffic during the post-holiday period. Violence and sexual offences fell by 33.3%, aligning with the shorter days and lower retail activity in January. Vehicle crime in Fordingbridge is 120% above the UK average of 0.5 per 1,000, highlighting a localised risk that residents should be aware of. This spike, though statistically significant, remains within the broader context of the area’s overall low crime rate.

Fordingbridge's crime rate in January 2024 rose 13.6% compared to the previous month's 4.2 per 1,000, reaching 4.8 per 1,000. This increase, while notable, remains significantly below the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000. Locally, the daily crime count averaged one incident per day over 31 days, a figure that may offer residents a tangible sense of the area's safety. On a monthly basis, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 210 residents, a statistic that contextualises the scale of incidents against the population of 5,249. This ratio, when considered alongside the area’s built-up character within the New Forest, suggests that while crime is present, its frequency is proportionally low compared to both the UK average and the area’s size. The population-scaled perspective reinforces that Fordingbridge’s crime profile remains distinct, with no single category dominating to the extent seen in larger urban centres.