Lyndhurst Crime Rate

Lyndhurst, the 'capital' of the New Forest, is a very safe urban settlement with an overall crime rate of 53.6 per 1,000 people. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.7, earning the area an excellent safety score of 87/100. The village is currently experiencing a very positive trend, with total crime decreasing by 19.5% year-over-year. Lyndhurst's crime profile is primarily defined by interpersonal offences and low-level property issues, with property crime rates sitting at a low 18.3 per 1,000. Vehicle crime and anti-social behaviour are also factors in the local statistics. This report provides a detailed breakdown of local crime types, monthly trends, and practical safety advice to help Lyndhurst residents and business owners maintain their secure community environment.

Crime Breakdown in Lyndhurst

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Lyndhurst, with 64 incidents accounting for 39.8% of total crime. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 12.4% and 'other theft' at 7.5%. These figures indicate that social and interpersonal issues are the primary drivers of local crime statistics.

Property-related crime in Lyndhurst—including burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and shoplifting—occurs at a rate of 18.3 per 1,000 people. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.3, highlighting the area's relative safety. Vehicle crime and criminal damage both account for 6.8% of all crime, with 11 incidents each reported in the last year. Burglary and shoplifting each make up 5.0% of local activity. For residents, the data suggests that while Lyndhurst is a secure village, property and vehicle security should remain a consideration, particularly as theft and vehicle crime are among the top five most frequent offences. Maintaining visible deterrents and securing both residential and commercial properties is recommended to mitigate these risks.

Lyndhurst is currently seeing a significant downward trend in crime, with a -19.5% year-over-year change. This is a very positive indicator for the village's safety. Monthly data from December 2024 to November 2025 shows that crime rates fluctuated throughout the year, with some notable peaks. The highest peak was seen in July (7.3), followed by April (6.0) and August (5.3).

The lowest points were recorded in December (2.3), March (2.7), and October (3.3). Following a summer peak, the crime rate stabilised and finished the year at 5.0 in November. This consistent low-volume environment, combined with a significant percentage decrease, confirms that Lyndhurst is not only a safe area but is actively becoming safer. Business owners and residents alike should be encouraged by this overall downward trend.

How To Keep Safe in Lyndhurst

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Lyndhurst, accounting for 39.8% of all incidents. While the overall volume is low, staying safe remains a priority.

• Awareness in Public: When walking through the village or using local car parks, especially after dark, stay aware of your surroundings and stick to well-lit paths.
• Secure Your Vehicle: Vehicle crime (6.8%) is a notable concern, especially at night. Always remove valuables from your car and park in a secure, well-lit location if possible.
• Secure Your Home: Burglary (5.0%) is a factor. Ensure your home has robust window and door locks and consider motion-activated lighting to deter opportunistic thieves.
• Report Anti-Social Behaviour: Reporting low-level disruption (12.4%) can help prevent it from escalating into more serious criminal damage or personal confrontations.
• Engage with Neighbours: A connected community is a safer one. Joining a local watch scheme ensures that suspicious activity is shared and reported quickly, helping to maintain the village's high safety standards.

Crime timing in Lyndhurst reveals distinct shifts in risk throughout the 24-hour cycle. During the morning and afternoon (6am to 6pm), theft is the primary concern, accounting for up to 42% of all reported incidents. This typically aligns with times when the village centre is most active with shoppers and tourists.

As night falls, the profile of crime changes significantly. Between 12am and 6am, the risk to property and vehicles peaks. Vehicle crime accounts for 45% of night-time incidents, while burglary makes up 21%. This means property-related offences account for 66% of all activity during these hours. This suggests that while overall crime volume is lower during the night, the likelihood of being a victim of property crime is at its highest proportional peak. Residents are strongly advised to ensure their homes and vehicles are fully secured before retiring for the evening to protect against these statistically significant night-time threats.

In the local context, Lyndhurst (53.6 crimes per 1,000) is a very safe residential choice. It is notably safer than the nearby town of Totton, which has a rate of 84.6, and has a similar crime profile to neighbouring Ashurst at 46.7. While Lyndhurst sees more activity than the zero-crime rural hamlets of Minstead and Cadnam and Bartley, it offers a high level of safety for an urban settlement of its size. These comparisons highlight Lyndhurst as a secure village that balances its role as a central New Forest hub with a high level of safety.

With a property crime rate of 18.3 per 1,000 in Lyndhurst, residents and business owners should focus on maintaining their security through proactive measures. While the volume of crime is lower than the national average, vehicle crime and theft are notable concerns, and burglary also persists. Traditional security systems, such as standard CCTV or doorbell cameras, are reactive; they record a crime as it happens, which often does little to prevent the initial intrusion or the theft of a vehicle.

The scOS operating system offers a proactive alternative by using AI-powered multi-camera intelligence to monitor your property's perimeter in real-time. It can distinguish between a routine visitor and someone loitering near your car or side gate at 3am. If a threat is detected, scOS can autonomously trigger a response—such as activating floodlights or a warning speaker—to deter the criminal before they even attempt a break-in. For Lyndhurst residents and businesses, where property crime is concentrated during the night and afternoon, the ability to stop a threat at the boundary is the most effective way to ensure their property remains as safe as the statistics suggest.