Holbury Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 7,852 residents, Holbury recorded 23 crimes in February 2026, translating to a crime rate of 2.9 per 1,000 people. This figure is 54.7% below the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000, highlighting the area’s relatively low crime profile compared to national trends. The breakdown of crimes reveals a stark contrast between violent and property offences: violence and sexual offences dominated with 15 incidents (65.2% of total crimes), while property crimes accounted for just 5 (21.7%). This imbalance suggests that interpersonal conflicts or targeted incidents may be more prevalent than theft or burglary in this built-up area within the New Forest. Seasonal factors likely play a role, as February—a winter month with limited outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull—may reduce opportunities for property crimes while leaving violent incidents more concentrated in indoor or localised settings. The area’s character as a semi-rural built-up zone within a protected landscape may contribute to this pattern, with fewer commercial hubs or high-traffic areas to drive shoplifting or vehicle-related crimes. The UK average for violence and sexual offences is 2.3 per 1,000, meaning Holbury’s rate is 18% lower, consistent with the area’s quieter, more insular nature. However, the rise in 'other crime' (100% increase from 1 to 2 incidents) and burglary (100% increase from 0 to 1) deserves closer attention, though these remain low-frequency categories. The overall picture indicates a community where violent incidents are more common than property crimes, but the absolute numbers remain well below national averages.

February 2026 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with anti-social behaviour plummeting by 83.3% (from 6 to 1 incidents) and criminal damage and arson dropping by 50% (from 2 to 1). These decreases may reflect the low outdoor activity typical of winter months, reducing opportunities for public disorder or vandalism. Conversely, 'other crime' rose sharply by 100% (1 to 2 incidents), and burglary increased by 100% (0 to 1). The dominance of violent crimes—accounting for 65.2% of all reported incidents—contrasts sharply with the UK average for this category (2.3 per 1,000), where Holbury’s rate of 1.9 per 1,000 is 18% lower. This suggests that while violence is less frequent here than in other areas, it remains the most significant concern for local residents. Shoplifting, at 0.3 per 1,000 (48% below the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000), further reinforces the area’s low exposure to retail-related crime, likely due to its limited commercial infrastructure compared to urban centres. The month-on-month decrease in violent crimes (11.8%) from 17 to 15 incidents may indicate a temporary reduction in tensions or improved community policing efforts, though the small sample size means this trend should be monitored over subsequent months.

The crime rate in Holbury fell by 28.2% from 4.1 per 1,000 in January 2026 to 2.9 per 1,000 in February, marking a significant drop. Over the course of February, one reported crime occurred for every 341 residents—a monthly exposure rate that underscores the area’s safety compared to larger urban centres. Daily crime statistics show an average of one incident per day, a figure that would be particularly notable in a densely populated region but aligns with the low population density of this built-up area within the New Forest. When scaled to the local population, the 23 crimes reported in February equate to a 0.3% chance of any resident being directly involved in a crime, a rate that is exceptionally low for a UK location. This comparison highlights Holbury’s unique position as a semi-rural community where crime remains rare, though the presence of violent incidents—despite their lower frequency—remains a focal point for local authorities. The stark contrast between Holbury’s crime profile and the UK average (6.4 per 1,000) illustrates the impact of geographic and demographic factors, with the area’s limited commercial activity and protected landscape likely contributing to its lower crime rates.