Holbury Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For an area of Holbury’s population—7,852 residents—27 reported crimes in February 2024 equate to 0.34 crimes per person, a rate of 3.4 per 1,000. This is 52.1% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000, reflecting a safer environment compared to national trends. The crime profile in February was dominated by violent crimes, which accounted for 59.3% of the total (16 incidents), followed by public order offences (14.8%) and criminal damage and arson (7.4%). Violence and sexual offences, the most common category, were 20% below the UK average, a stark contrast to the national picture where such crimes typically occur more frequently. This pattern may partly explain the overall low crime rate, as violent incidents in Holbury appear to be less prevalent than in other parts of the UK. Seasonal factors also played a role: February, a winter month with limited outdoor activity, saw a pre-spring lull in crime, consistent with the area’s rural character and the New Forest’s generally tranquil environment. The absence of major urban hubs or high-traffic areas likely contributes to the lower incidence of property crimes, which made up just 14.8% of the total. These figures suggest that Holbury’s crime profile is shaped by its geographical isolation and the relatively small scale of its built-up area, which may reduce opportunities for certain types of crime.

February 2024 saw notable shifts in Holbury’s crime mix. Public order offences surged by 100%, rising from 2 to 4 incidents, while other theft also increased by 100%, moving from zero to one reported case. This suggests a potential uptick in disputes or minor disturbances during the winter months. Conversely, shoplifting and other crime both fell by 50%, with shoplifting dropping from 2 to 1 incident and other crime declining from 2 to 1. These decreases could reflect seasonal factors, such as reduced foot traffic in retail areas during February. Violent crimes, however, remained a significant portion of the total, with violence and sexual offences at 2.0 per 1,000—20% below the UK average of 2.5 per 1,000. This is a marked divergence from the national trend, where violence tends to be more common in urban areas. Anti-social behaviour, at 0.1 per 1,000, was 90% below the UK average of 1.1 per 1,000, further underscoring Holbury’s lower incidence of such crimes. These variations highlight how Holbury’s unique character—its proximity to the New Forest and limited population density—may mitigate certain types of crime, even as others, like public order issues, show unexpected increases.

Holbury’s crime rate in February 2024 (3.4 per 1,000) marked a 12.9% decline from the previous month’s rate of 4.0 per 1,000, indicating a downward trend over the past two months. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly one crime per day over the 29-day period, a figure that, while low, reflects the small population scale. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 291 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is significantly lower than the UK average. For someone living in Holbury, this translates to a relatively low risk of encountering crime compared to the national context, where the average resident faces one reported crime for every 142 residents. The population-scaled perspective reinforces the area’s safety profile: with 7,852 residents, the 27 crimes reported represent a manageable burden for local services and community policing. This contrast with UK-wide trends highlights Holbury’s distinct position as a low-crime built-up area within the New Forest, where the combination of rural surroundings and limited urban infrastructure likely contributes to the reduced frequency of most crime types.