Fordingbridge Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Fordingbridge's December 2025 crime rate of 5.0 per 1,000 residents places the area 28.6% below the UK average of 7.0 per 1,000, highlighting a consistently safer profile than national trends. This built-up area within the New Forest, known for its rural character and limited urban density, saw violence and sexual offences account for 38.5% of all reported crimes—26% below the UK average for this category. Criminal damage and arson, at 1.1 per 1,000, stood 112% above the UK rate, a stark contrast to other categories such as shoplifting, which fell 65% below the national average. Seasonal factors likely influenced the crime picture, with December's Christmas shopping peak, extended dark evenings, and the presence of empty homes during the holiday season potentially contributing to the mix of offences. While property crimes (10 incidents) and violent crimes (10 incidents) were roughly equal in frequency, the dominance of violence and sexual offences—despite a 23.1% monthly decrease from 13 to 10 cases—suggests a need for targeted community safety measures. The area's low crime rate compared to the UK average aligns with its rural setting, where fewer high-density residential or commercial zones may limit opportunities for certain types of crime. However, the spike in criminal damage and arson raises questions about local factors, such as seasonal vandalism or specific community tensions, warranting further exploration.

December 2025 saw notable shifts in Fordingbridge's crime profile, with burglary, drugs-related offences, and public order incidents each rising by 100% compared to November. This increase in burglary—now at 1 incident (0.2 per 1,000)—contrasts sharply with an 85.7% drop in shoplifting, which fell from 7 to 1 case. The 100% rise in public order offences, from 2 to 4 incidents, may reflect heightened social activity during the Christmas season, though the area's overall crime rate remains significantly below the UK average. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour cases plummeted by 75%, from 4 to 1, potentially linked to seasonal changes in community engagement or enforcement priorities. Violence and sexual offences, while still the most common category (10 incidents), saw a 23.1% decrease from the previous month, a trend consistent with the UK-wide seasonal dip in violent crime during December. The stark disparity between Fordingbridge's criminal damage and arson rate (1.1 per 1,000) and the UK average (0.5 per 1,000) raises questions about local vulnerabilities, tied to the area's rural environment and seasonal property neglect. Residents may find the 65% reduction in shoplifting particularly notable, suggesting effective retail security measures or reduced foot traffic during the holiday period.

Fordingbridge's December 2025 crime rate of 5.0 per 1,000 residents represents a 25.8% decline from the previous month's rate of 6.7 per 1,000, underscoring a sustained downward trend. Over the course of the month, 1 reported crime occurred for roughly every 202 residents—a figure that, when contextualised against the UK average, illustrates the area's exceptional safety record. On a daily basis, the local crime count averaged 1 incident per day, a rate that is markedly lower than the UK's national daily average (which, while not directly comparable, would be significantly higher given the overall UK rate). This low frequency of crime, combined with the area's population of 5,249, suggests that residents face a markedly lower risk of victimisation than the national average. The 28.6% gap between Fordingbridge's rate and the UK's 7.0 per 1,000 highlights the effectiveness of local policing strategies or the area's inherent characteristics, such as its rural nature and limited urban infrastructure. However, the 112% increase in criminal damage and arson compared to the UK average indicates a specific vulnerability that may require targeted interventions. For a resident, this means that while the overall risk of experiencing crime is low, certain categories—particularly property-related offences—warrant continued awareness.