New Forest Crime Rate November 2025 | Monthly Statistics

New Forest’s crime profile in November 2025 continued to reflect a pattern of relative safety compared to the UK average, with an overall rate of 4.5 crimes per 1,000 residents — 38.4% below the national figure of 7.3. This performance is shaped by the area’s rural character, where lower population density and community cohesion may contribute to reduced opportunities for certain types of crime. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 40.8% of all incidents, yet these rates remained 30% below the UK average, suggesting effective local policing or demographic factors that limit violent crime. Seasonal influences were evident, with November’s shorter days and events like Bonfire Night potentially amplifying risks for property crime. However, the area’s lower-than-average rates for anti-social behaviour (62% below UK levels) and shoplifting (52% below) indicate strong community engagement or environmental design that deters such offences. The balance between property and violent crime also shifted slightly, with property crimes (299 incidents) making up 38% of the total, compared to 41% for violent crimes — a narrow but notable difference that may reflect the seasonality of retail activity or the timing of school holidays. These patterns underscore the need for targeted strategies that address specific vulnerabilities, such as the persistent above-average burglary rates, while building on the area’s strengths in reducing more common types of crime.

November saw a 600% increase in robbery, rising from 1 to 7 incidents — a stark anomaly requiring further scrutiny. This spike contrasts with notable decreases in other theft (-47.9%) and vehicle crime (-27.9%), likely reflecting seasonal factors such as reduced foot traffic during darker evenings. Violence and sexual offences, the most common crime type (40.8% of total), remained 30% below the UK average at 1.8 per 1,000, a consistent trend despite the robbery uptick. Anti-social behaviour also dropped sharply, with rates 62% below the UK average, potentially linked to increased community engagement during the festive season. Meanwhile, burglary rates (0.4 per 1,000) were 33% above the UK average, highlighting a persistent challenge in rural areas where property crime can be more isolated and harder to monitor.

New Forest’s crime rate in November 2025 remained 6.7% lower than the previous month, continuing a downward trend that has positioned it 38.4% below the UK average. With 789 crimes reported over 30 days, the area averaged 26 crimes per day — a figure that, while localised, provides context for residents assessing daily safety. On a monthly basis, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 223 residents, a rate that reflects the area’s relatively low crime profile compared to national benchmarks. The population of 176,116 means that even small absolute changes in crime numbers can translate to significant percentage shifts, yet the overall trend remains consistent with New Forest’s historical position as a safer-than-average district. This monthly exposure metric underscores the importance of community policing efforts and targeted interventions, particularly in areas where crime rates are already low but require sustained vigilance to prevent any upticks.