New Forest Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

New Forest’s crime profile in February 2026 was marked by a total of 689 reported incidents, translating to a rate of 3.9 crimes per 1,000 residents. This figure is 39.1% below the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000, a disparity that reflects the area’s rural character and limited urban density. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 42.1% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (9.3%) and shoplifting (9.0%). These patterns align with the seasonal context of February, a winter month associated with reduced outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull, which may contribute to lower levels of property-related crimes such as vehicle theft and burglary. However, the prominence of violent offences suggests that social factors—such as community interactions in more densely populated areas like the town centres—play a role in shaping this category. The UK average for violence and sexual offences is 2.3 per 1,000, meaning New Forest’s rate is 27% lower, a gap that underscores the area’s relative safety in this category. Anti-social behaviour, which is 56% below the UK average, may be influenced by the rural setting, where informal community oversight could deter such activities. Shoplifting, though lower than the UK average, remains a concern, linked to the presence of retail hubs in the area. The overall crime rate, while lower than national standards, highlights the need for continued vigilance in addressing the most prevalent categories, particularly violent offences, which remain a significant portion of the local crime picture.

February 2026 witnessed a sharp increase in possession of weapons, rising by 233.3% from 3 to 10 incidents. This spike, though small in absolute terms, highlights a potential shift in local dynamics. Robbery also saw a notable 33.3% increase, climbing from 6 to 8 cases, suggesting localized factors may be influencing this category. Conversely, bicycle theft plummeted by 66.7%, dropping from 3 to 1 incident—a decrease that could reflect seasonal trends or targeted efforts in rural areas. Theft from the person also fell by 66.7%, declining from 9 to 3 cases, though this remains a rare occurrence in New Forest. The area’s violent crime rate of 1.7 per 1,000 residents is 27% below the UK average, illustrating a consistent pattern of lower violence relative to national standards. These figures, when viewed alongside the overall rate, illustrate an area where property-related crimes are less prevalent than violent offences, a contrast to the UK average where property crimes dominate.

In February 2026, New Forest recorded a crime rate of 3.9 per 1,000 residents, a 14.6% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 4.6 per 1,000. This decline aligns with the seasonal context of February—a winter month marked by reduced outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull—which may contribute to lower levels of certain crimes. On a daily basis, the area experienced an average of 25 crimes per day, a figure that, while specific to New Forest, provides a concrete snapshot of local crime frequency. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 256 residents, underscoring the relatively low exposure to crime compared to other areas. When scaled to the population of 176,116, the total of 689 crimes represents a manageable proportion, reflecting the area’s character as a largely rural district with limited urban density. This context contrasts with the UK average, where crime rates are consistently higher, but New Forest’s figures remain lower, particularly in categories such as anti-social behaviour and shoplifting.