Hightown (New Forest) Crime Rate

Hightown is a safe and quiet urban settlement in the New Forest, with a crime rate of 46.1 per 1,000 residents. This is substantially below the UK average of 91.6, earning the area a strong safety score of 88/100. The area is also seeing a positive trend, with a 6.8% year-over-year decrease in total crime. While the overall property crime rate of 14.2 per 1,000 is well below the national average, criminal damage and anti-social behaviour are notable components of local statistics. This report provides a detailed analysis of Hightown's crime data, including monthly trends and time-of-day insights, to help residents understand and manage local safety risks effectively.

Crime Breakdown in Hightown (New Forest)

In Hightown, the most frequent crime type is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for 34 incidents and 50.0% of all recorded crime. This is followed by criminal damage and arson at 11.8% and anti-social behaviour also at 11.8%. When looking at property-related crime as a whole—which includes burglary, vehicle crime, shoplifting, and various thefts—the rate in Hightown is 14.2 per 1,000 residents. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.2. Burglary and shoplifting each account for 4.4% of local crime, while vehicle crime is very rare at 1.5%. For residents, these statistics confirm that Hightown is a secure place to live, with property crime being a relatively minor concern in the daily life of the settlement.

Crime Trends in Hightown (New Forest)

The crime trend in Hightown is currently on a positive downward trajectory, with a 6.8% decrease in total offences year-over-year. Monthly data for 2025 reveals a fluctuating but generally manageable crime rate. The year started with a rate of 2.7 per 1,000 in January and saw its lowest points in April and November at just 2.0. There was a peak in July at 7.5, which is still relatively low but reflects a seasonal increase in activity. The rate subsided again towards the end of the year, finishing at 4.1 in December. This overall reduction is an encouraging sign for the area, suggesting that local safety measures and community awareness are effectively keeping crime levels low. For residents, this trend reinforces Hightown's reputation as a safe and improving place to live.

How To Keep Safe in Hightown (New Forest)

The most commonly reported crime in Hightown is violence and sexual offences, accounting for 50% of the total. To stay safe, residents should continue to be aware of their surroundings, particularly when walking alone after dark. Criminal damage and anti-social behaviour are also notable factors in the local data, so ensuring that your home is well-lit and that any gates or fences are secure can act as a powerful deterrent against opportunistic offences. For residents, being part of a local neighbourhood watch scheme or staying connected with neighbours can help maintain the current high standard of safety. Additionally, always report any suspicious activity to the police, as local intelligence is vital for keeping crime rates on their current downward trend. Finally, ensuring that your home security is updated can prevent opportunistic crimes and maintain the village's secure environment.

Crime timing in Hightown shows distinct trends related to the type of offence. During the morning and afternoon, theft-related offences are the most common, accounting for 37% of crimes in both periods. This corresponds with the opening hours of local shops and services. As evening falls, the 'Other' crime category becomes more prominent, making up 64% of incidents. Night-time (12am - 6am) sees a shift in risk toward property, with burglary accounting for 26% and vehicle crime for 14% of the period's total. These figures suggest that while the settlement is active and safe during the day, properties and vehicles are more vulnerable during the late-night hours. Residents should ensure that home security is active overnight and that vehicles are securely parked to mitigate these specific risks.

Hightown is a quiet residential area in the New Forest and compares well with its larger neighbours. Its crime rate of 46.1 per 1,000 is significantly lower than nearby Ringwood at 67.3 and Burley at 66.7. In contrast, the tiny neighbouring hamlets of Hangersley and Burley Street recorded no crimes during the same period, which is typical for very sparsely populated rural areas. Hightown's low rate reflects its status as a secure, residential community with a strong sense of safety. Despite its proximity to larger towns, it maintains an overall downward trend in crime, making it a desirable and safe location.

With a property crime rate of 14.2 per 1,000 people, Hightown residents live in a relatively low-risk environment. However, the presence of burglary and criminal damage, even at these levels, means that security should not be ignored. Traditional security systems are often reactive—they record footage of a crime after it has occurred. For those who want to ensure their home remains part of Hightown's safe statistics, a proactive system like scOS is the superior choice. scOS uses AI to monitor your property boundaries in real-time, identifying potential threats before they can attempt a break-in. By deploying autonomous responses, such as activating lights or speakers, scOS removes the element of surprise that offenders rely on. In a settlement like Hightown, where crime is low and decreasing, a sophisticated system like scOS ensures that your property remains a difficult target, providing real-time prevention rather than just evidence after the fact.