Hythe and Dibden Purlieu Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For residents of Hythe and Dibden Purlieu, the crime rate in January 2024 stood at 5.7 per 1,000 individuals, placing the area 23% below the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000. This translates to a daily risk of approximately 4 crimes reported for every 31 days, a figure that, while not negligible, is considerably lower than national benchmarks. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (29.1% of all incidents), followed by criminal damage and arson (18.0%) and shoplifting (13.7%). These patterns align with the characteristics of a built-up area within the New Forest, where retail activity and seasonal fluctuations may influence crime trends. January, a post-holiday month, typically sees reduced footfall in retail spaces, which may contribute to a lower incidence of shoplifting compared to other times of the year. However, the sharp increase in criminal damage and arson could reflect a combination of colder weather, fewer witnesses, and potential challenges in property maintenance during the winter. The violent crime category, while still a concern, saw a 19% decrease compared to the previous month, due to shorter daylight hours reducing opportunities for outdoor confrontations. Overall, the crime profile suggests a relatively safe environment, though local authorities may need to monitor the rise in possession of weapons and arson to ensure continued stability.

The most striking change in January 2024 was the 110% increase in criminal damage and arson, rising from 10 to 21 incidents. This sharp rise, though not uncommon in post-holiday periods, may be linked to seasonal factors such as reduced foot traffic and colder weather, which could make properties more vulnerable. Possession of weapons also surged by 133.3%, from three to seven cases, a figure that is 329% above the UK average for this category. This anomaly deserves closer attention, though no direct causal link is established. Conversely, anti-social behaviour fell by 53.8%, from 13 to 6 incidents, reflecting a reduction in public gatherings during the colder month. The violent crime category, which accounts for 29.1% of all crimes, decreased by 19%, aligning with the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000. This shift suggests a possible reallocation of police resources or changes in local patterns, though further data would be needed to confirm.

In January 2024, the crime rate in Hythe and Dibden Purlieu rose by 7.3% compared to the previous month, increasing from 5.4 to 5.7 per 1,000 residents. While this reflects a modest upward trend, the area remains significantly safer than the UK average, which stood at 7.4 per 1,000. On a daily basis, the local figure translates to approximately four crimes reported each day, a manageable number for a built-up area within the New Forest. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 174 residents, underscoring the relatively low exposure to crime in this population. The local population of 20,385 further contextualises these figures, highlighting that the crime rate is proportionally lower than both the national average and the previous month’s rate. This suggests that while there may be temporary fluctuations, the overall crime profile remains stable and below the UK benchmark.