Hythe and Dibden Purlieu Crime Rate February 2025 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 20,385, 100 crimes reported in February 2025 equates to one crime for every 204 residents. This rate of 4.9 per 1,000 residents places Hythe and Dibden Purlieu 26.9% below the UK average of 6.7 per 1,000. The area's built-up character within the New Forest—a landscape of rural tranquillity punctuated by coastal towns and historic villages—appears to temper crime levels, particularly during winter months. Violence and sexual offences dominated with 41 incidents (41% of total), likely reflecting the concentration of residential and small-scale commercial activity in the built-up area. Anti-social behaviour (16 incidents) and public order offences (13 incidents) followed, with the latter category 36% above the UK average. This anomaly may partly explain the 4.9 rate, as public order offences often correlate with nightlife density or transient populations, though the area's limited urbanisation suggests other factors may be at play. Seasonal context aligns with a pre-spring lull: February's cold weather and reduced outdoor activity may suppress certain crime types, such as vehicle-related thefts, while indoor-focused crimes like violence and anti-social behaviour persist. The data illustrates a crime profile shaped by the area's unique blend of rural isolation and small-town dynamics, where community cohesion and low population density appear to contribute to the sustained below-average rate.

February 2025 saw sharp increases in 'other crime' (+300%, from 1 to 4 incidents) and public order offences (+116.7%, from 6 to 13), suggesting emerging patterns or unaddressed issues. Anti-social behaviour also rose by 45.5% (11 to 16), possibly linked to seasonal factors like post-holiday gatherings or local events. Conversely, criminal damage and arson plummeted by 73.3% (15 to 4), likely reflecting the winter's reduced outdoor activity and stricter fire regulations in the New Forest. Burglary fell by 33.3% (6 to 4), which may be consistent with the area's low population density and limited commercial activity. Violence and sexual offences remained the largest category at 41 incidents, though this figure was 15% below the UK average for that category. The public order category's 36% above-UK-average rate stands out, indicating challenges in managing local interactions in the built-up area. For residents, the sharp rise in 'other crime'—which includes unclassified or low-severity incidents—may warrant attention to specific local contexts, such as unreported minor offences or changes in policing priorities.

The crime rate in February 2025 (4.9 per 1,000) marked a 6.5% decrease from the previous month's rate of 5.3 per 1,000. Translating this to daily context, the area experienced approximately four crimes per day in February—a figure that, while seemingly high, must be considered against the area's population of 20,385. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 204 residents, a statistic that provides a concrete measure of risk for local households. This monthly exposure rate is significantly lower than the UK average, which would equate to one crime per approximately 150 residents in a similar-sized area. The population-scaled perspective highlights the effectiveness of local policing or the area's inherent characteristics in mitigating crime. For instance, the New Forest's rural environment and limited urban infrastructure may naturally deter certain types of crime, such as burglary or vehicle-related thefts. The decrease from 5.3 to 4.9 per 1,000 residents, though modest, suggests a stabilising trend that could be reinforced by continued community engagement or targeted interventions. However, the spikes in 'other crime' and public order offences indicate that specific challenges—related to transient populations or localised incidents—require further attention to maintain this below-average profile.