Holbury Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

December 2025 presented a mixed picture for crime in Holbury, a built-up area within the New Forest. While the overall crime rate of 2.7 per 1,000 residents remained significantly below the UK average of 7.0 per 1,000 (61.4% lower), certain categories showed troubling trends. Anti-social behaviour was the most common crime type, accounting for 28.6% of all incidents, followed by violence and sexual offences (19.1%) and criminal damage and arson (14.3%). These patterns align with the area’s characteristics: a small, rural community with limited commercial activity, where anti-social behaviour may be exacerbated by the close-knit nature of the population. Seasonal factors, such as the Christmas shopping peak and extended dark evenings, may have influenced the higher prevalence of anti-social behaviour and public order offences. However, the sharp decline in violent crimes and burglary—by 77.8% and 75.0%, respectively—suggests that efforts to maintain community safety during the festive season may have had a measurable impact. The UK comparison underscores Holbury’s relative safety, with rates for violence and sexual offences 81% below the national average and burglary 64% below. This contrast may be attributed to the area’s rural setting, where open spaces and lower population density could deter certain crimes. Residents should remain cautious, however, as the 100% increase in public order offences highlights a potential vulnerability during the holiday season. The data also reveals that Holbury’s crime profile is heavily skewed toward low-level incidents, with no recorded cases of vehicle crime or shoplifting, both of which are 73% and 82% below UK averages. This further reinforces the area’s unique dynamics, where the absence of large retail hubs or high-traffic areas may limit opportunities for such crimes. Overall, while the crime rate remains low, the month-on-month fluctuations in specific categories warrant attention, particularly as they may indicate underlying issues that require targeted community engagement.

December 2025 witnessed a notable 100% increase in public order offences, rising from zero to two incidents, a spike that may reflect heightened tensions during the festive season. Concurrently, possession of weapons and other crime also saw 100% increases, albeit from a low base, suggesting isolated incidents that warrant attention. In contrast, violent crimes and burglary declined sharply—by 77.8% and 75.0%, respectively—potentially linked to seasonal factors such as reduced foot traffic during holiday periods. Anti-social behaviour remained the most prevalent category, accounting for 28.6% of all crimes, a rate 14% below the UK average. This category’s persistence may be tied to the area’s built-up nature, where social interactions in limited spaces could contribute to such incidents. Residents should be particularly vigilant regarding public order issues, which saw the largest month-on-month increase, despite the overall decline in crime.

Holbury’s crime rate in December 2025 (2.7 per 1,000 residents) marked a 52.3% decline from November’s 5.6 per 1,000, reflecting a substantial reduction in reported incidents. Over the course of the month, one crime was reported for every 374 residents, a figure that underscores the relatively low frequency of crime in this built-up area within the New Forest. Daily, the area saw an average of one crime per day, a localised metric that highlights the manageable scale of incidents compared to broader national trends. When viewed through a population-scaled lens, the 2.7 per 1,000 rate places Holbury far below the UK average, illustrating the area’s distinct safety profile. This contrast is amplified by the fact that Holbury’s population of 7,852 residents experiences a crime rate that is 61.4% lower than the UK average, a disparity that may be partly explained by the area’s rural character and lower population density, which could limit opportunities for certain types of crime.