Lymington Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

The crime profile in Lymington during February 2026 reveals a stark dominance of violent crime, which accounted for 51.6% of all reported incidents—far exceeding property crimes at 29.6%. This imbalance contrasts with national trends, where violent crime typically represents a smaller share of total incidents. At 3.9 crimes per 1,000 residents, Lymington's overall rate was 39.1% below the UK average of 6.4, a gap that reflects the area's unique characteristics as a built-up area within the New Forest. The prominence of violence and sexual offences, which stood at 2.0 per 1,000 residents (14% below the UK average for this category), may be linked to the town's social dynamics during the winter months. With February marking a pre-spring lull in outdoor activity, the reduced presence of transient populations typically associated with seasonal tourism could have contributed to a concentration of local interpersonal conflicts. Anti-social behaviour, though less frequent than violent crime, remained 56% below the UK average, suggesting effective community policing or strong local social cohesion. The relatively low incidence of shoplifting—0.3 per 1,000 residents (48% below the UK average)—aligns with Lymington's status as a smaller, less commercialised settlement compared to major urban centres. However, the significant 77.8% increase in violence and sexual offences from January 2026 raises questions about whether seasonal factors, such as the approach of spring and associated social gatherings, may have influenced patterns of interaction within the community. This crime mix underscores Lymington's position as a relatively safe area with a distinct balance of local and non-local crime drivers.

February 2026 saw a marked shift in crime patterns, with violence and sexual offences surging by 77.8% compared to the previous month, rising from 18 to 32 incidents. This increase, while significant, remains 14% below the UK average for this category. Conversely, shoplifting plummeted by 72.2% (from 18 to 5 incidents), a decline that may reflect reduced foot traffic during the winter months and the absence of major retail events typically drawing crowds. Public order offences also dropped sharply by 66.7%, aligning with the seasonal trend of fewer outdoor gatherings. The category of 'other crime'—which includes unclassified incidents—was 100% above the UK average, with 0.3 per 1,000 residents compared to the national figure of 0.1. This anomaly suggests either an unusual spike in unrecorded or misclassified incidents or a specific local issue warranting further investigation. The increase in drug-related offences, which doubled from 0 to 1 incident, is particularly noteworthy given the area's rural context and the New Forest's designation as a protected landscape. While this single incident may not signal a broader trend, it highlights the need for continued monitoring of illicit activity in the region. These fluctuations illustrate the dynamic nature of local crime patterns and the influence of both seasonal and non-seasonal factors on the area's security landscape.

Lymington's crime rate in February 2026 fell to 3.9 per 1,000 residents, representing a 16.3% decrease from the previous month's rate of 4.7. This decline places the area well below the UK average, with residents facing a monthly exposure of one reported crime for every 256 people—a figure that is significantly more favourable than the national context. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately two crimes per day, a rate that is lower than many comparable towns and cities. When viewed through the lens of population size, the 15,854 residents of Lymington experienced a crime rate that is 39.1% below the UK average, a gap that underscores the effectiveness of local policing strategies or the area's inherent characteristics as a smaller, more cohesive community. The 77.8% increase in violence and sexual offences compared to January 2026 may appear concerning, but this category remains 14% below the UK average. This suggests that while local conditions may have temporarily influenced crime patterns, the overall safety of Lymington remains relatively strong. The comparison to the UK average also reveals that categories such as anti-social behaviour (56% below) and vehicle crime (71% below) are significantly underrepresented, which may reflect the area's low population density and limited commercial activity. These figures collectively illustrate a community that, while not immune to crime, maintains a distinct advantage in terms of safety compared to the national average.