Hythe and Dibden Purlieu Crime Rate June 2023 | Monthly Statistics

The crime profile of Hythe and Dibden Purlieu in June 2023 reveals a distinct balance of violent and non-violent offences, shaped by its location within the New Forest. With a crime rate of 6.4 per 1,000 residents—24.7% below the UK average—the area demonstrates a consistent pattern of lower overall crime, though this masks significant variations by category. Violence and sexual offences dominate, accounting for 54.2% of all crimes, a proportion higher than the UK average for this category (2.9 per 1,000). This divergence suggests that the area’s crime profile is influenced by local factors, such as the social dynamics of a rural built-up area where community interactions may differ from urban settings. The seasonal context of June, the start of summer, likely contributes to this pattern, as increased outdoor activity and tourism may reduce property crime while altering the frequency of violent incidents. For example, the sharp rise in possession of weapons (up 300%) could be linked to unseasonal gatherings or events. In contrast, the 75% drop in burglary and 58.3% decline in shoplifting may reflect the seasonal impact of tourism, with visitors reducing opportunities for retail crime. The area’s anti-social behaviour rate (0.7 per 1,000) is 53% below the UK average, a figure that may be influenced by the relatively small population and the community-oriented nature of the area. However, the violent crime rate’s 20% excess over the UK average raises questions about the specific drivers of this trend, such as the prevalence of alcohol-related incidents or the impact of transient populations during the summer months. These findings underscore the importance of contextualizing crime data within the unique characteristics of the area, rather than relying solely on national benchmarks.

June 2023 saw sharp increases in possession of weapons (up 300%), robbery (up 200%), and other crime (up 200%), marking a significant shift in the crime mix. These rises, though small in absolute terms, may reflect changes in local activity patterns, such as increased alcohol consumption during summer evenings or unseasonal events. Conversely, shoplifting and burglary fell sharply—by 58.3% and 75% respectively—possibly due to summer tourism altering retail patterns or heightened community awareness. The area’s violent crime rate (3.5 per 1,000) is 20% above the UK average for this category, a stark contrast to its overall lower crime rate. This imbalance highlights the need for targeted strategies to address violence, which constitutes 54.2% of all reported crimes. For residents, the 43% drop in anti-social behaviour (from 1.5 to 0.7 per 1,000) offers a tangible sign of improved community safety. The data also reveals that possession of weapons is 150% above the UK average, a figure that may require closer scrutiny from local authorities.

The crime rate in Hythe and Dibden Purlieu dropped by 9.6% in June 2023 compared to May, from 7.1 to 6.4 per 1,000 residents. This decline aligns with seasonal patterns observed in rural areas, where increased daylight and tourism during summer months often correlate with reduced property crime. On a daily basis, the area experiences approximately four crimes per day, a figure that reflects the relatively low overall rate. Over the course of June, one crime was reported for roughly every 156 residents, a monthly exposure that underscores the manageable scale of incidents for a community of this size. While the area’s overall crime rate remains 24.7% below the UK average, the violent crime rate (3.5 per 1,000) is 20% above the UK average for this category, highlighting a distinct imbalance in the crime profile. This contrast between overall and violent crime trends suggests that local factors, such as community dynamics or specific social interactions, may be influencing the data. The population context—20,385 residents—further emphasizes that even modest changes in crime rates can have meaningful implications for individual residents and local services.