Fordingbridge Crime Rate May 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Fordingbridge’s crime rate in May 2025 stood at 8.0 per 1,000 residents, a figure 1.2% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. This slight edge over the national benchmark, though modest, reflects a combination of local factors and broader trends. The most prominent category, violence and sexual offences, accounted for 31% of all reported crimes, with a rate of 2.5 per 1,000—12% below the UK average of 2.8 per 1,000. This suggests that while violent crime remains a concern, Fordingbridge’s rates are marginally lower than the national norm, possibly due to the area’s character as a built-up part of the New Forest, where community cohesion may play a role in mitigating severe incidents. Anti-social behaviour, at 1.5 per 1,000, was 6% above the UK average, a figure that may be linked to the area’s proximity to natural spaces and the influx of visitors during the spring season. Public order offences, however, stood out as a significant outlier, at 1.3 per 1,000—124% above the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000. This stark deviation may be attributed to the longer evenings and increased socialising during May, which could lead to heightened incidents of disorder in public spaces. The seasonal context of May, with its bank holidays and extended daylight hours, likely contributes to these patterns, as outdoor drinking and socialising become more prevalent. This combination of factors—slightly lower violent crime, stable property crime rates, and a notable spike in public order offences—paints a nuanced picture of Fordingbridge’s crime profile, one that balances the benefits of a rural setting with the challenges of managing public spaces during peak social seasons.

Public order offences surged by 75% in May, rising from 4 to 7 incidents—a stark contrast to shoplifting, which dropped 66.7% from 3 to 1. This shift suggests a possible reallocation of police resources or changes in community dynamics during the month’s extended evenings and bank holidays. Violent crimes, however, remained stable at 13, with a rate of 2.5 per 1,000—12% below the UK average of 2.8 per 1,000. The sharp 100% increase in theft from the person, from 0 to 1 incident, highlights an unusual spike in targeted crimes, though the low absolute number limits the significance of this change. Anti-social behaviour, at 8 incidents (1.5 per 1,000), was 6% above the UK average of 1.4 per 1,000, indicating a need for continued focus on community engagement strategies. These fluctuations, while notable, do not yet indicate a long-term trend but warrant closer monitoring in the context of seasonal socialising patterns.

Fordingbridge’s crime rate in May 2025 dropped 36.4% from the previous month’s 12.6 per 1,000 to 8.0 per 1,000, reflecting a marked improvement in local safety. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 125 residents, a figure that contextualises the monthly exposure in a way that highlights the relatively low frequency of incidents for a built-up area. On a daily basis, the area saw roughly one crime reported per day, a rate that aligns with the broader trend of sustained stability in recent months. This decline contrasts with the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000, placing Fordingbridge 1.2% below the national benchmark. The population-scaled perspective further underscores that, despite local fluctuations, the area remains within a narrow range of the national average, suggesting that broader systemic factors may be at play rather than isolated incidents. For residents, these figures translate to a tangible reduction in the likelihood of encountering crime during daily routines, particularly in comparison to the sharp increase recorded in April.