Hythe and Dibden Purlieu Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

For every 152 residents in Hythe and Dibden Purlieu, one crime was reported in January 2026 — a monthly exposure rate that translates to a 6.6 per 1,000 crime rate, 2.9% below the UK average. This figure, while modest, reflects a combination of local and seasonal factors. The area’s crime profile is dominated by violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 42.5% of all crimes — a rate of 2.8 per 1,000, 12% above the UK average. This could be linked to the post-holiday period, when social dynamics and reduced retail footfall may create conditions for such incidents. Shoplifting, at 1.0 per 1,000, was 75% above the UK average, likely tied to the built-up nature of the area and its proximity to the New Forest’s rural surroundings, which may attract transient populations. Meanwhile, criminal damage and arson. from December, still sat at 0.6 per 1,000 — 25% above the UK average. Seasonal patterns also play a role: shorter days and post-holiday lulls in retail activity may have reduced opportunities for outdoor crimes, though this effect was less pronounced in property-related offences. The area’s relatively low rates of anti-social behaviour (46% below UK average) and public order offences (29% below) suggest community or environmental factors that mitigate these types of incidents.

January 2026 saw stark month-on-month increases in specific crime categories. Other theft rose 900% (from 1 to 10), shoplifting surged 300% (from 5 to 20), and other crime doubled (from 1 to 3). These spikes, though not directly explained by the data, may reflect post-holiday retail activity or shifts in community behaviour. Conversely, criminal damage and arson fell by 29.4% (from 17 to 12), a decline consistent with the seasonal context of shorter days and reduced outdoor activity. Violence and sexual offences remained a major concern, at 2.8 per 1,000 — 12% above the UK average of 2.5 per 1,000. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour and public order offences were both below UK averages, suggesting that local initiatives or demographics may contribute to lower levels of these crimes in the area.

Hythe and Dibden Purlieu’s crime rate in January 2026 rose sharply from 4.3 per 1,000 in December to 6.6 per 1,000, a 53.9% increase. This jump, though significant, still places the area 2.9% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. On a daily basis, 4 crimes were reported each day in January, a figure that may help residents contextualise their risk. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 152 residents — a monthly exposure rate that, while not alarmingly high, highlights the need for vigilance in community spaces. The population context also matters: with 20,385 residents, the area’s crime distribution reflects both local dynamics and broader national trends. The shift in crime mix from December to January shows a marked rise in property-related offences, including shoplifting and theft, which may partly explain the overall increase.