Marchwood Crime Rate March 2023 | Monthly Statistics

In March 2023, Marchwood—a built-up area within the New Forest—recorded 27 crimes, equating to a rate of 4.6 per 1,000 residents. This figure is 39.5% below the UK average of 7.6 per 1,000, reflecting a generally low-crime environment. The most common crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 51.9% of all incidents (14 cases), followed by criminal damage and arson (11.1%), and public order offences (11.1%). The seasonal transition to spring, with longer evenings and the clocks changing, may have influenced these patterns, as increased social activity in public spaces could contribute to higher rates of violent crime. However, the overall low crime rate suggests that Marchwood’s rural-adjacent character, combined with its smaller population, may play a role in mitigating broader UK trends. While violent crime rates in Marchwood are 12% below the UK average, burglary stands out as an exception, with a rate of 0.5 per 1,000—52% above the UK average. This discrepancy highlights the importance of localised factors in shaping crime profiles, even within a broader context of low crime. The data also shows that property crimes, such as other theft and vehicle crime, were significantly below the UK average, with rates 49% and 58% lower respectively, reflecting the area’s limited retail and commercial activity compared to urban centres. These findings illustrate how a small, semi-rural built-up area can exhibit distinct crime dynamics, shaped by both geographic and demographic factors.

March 2023 marked a shift in the crime mix, with violent crimes dominating at 51.9% of all reported incidents—14 cases in total. This contrasts with the previous month, which saw a higher proportion of property crimes. The rise in violent offences may be influenced by the transition to spring, as extended evenings and social activities could contribute to increased interactions in public spaces. Meanwhile, property crimes fell sharply, with only 9 cases reported—32% below the previous month’s total. This decline aligns with the broader UK trend of lower property crime during early spring, though the drop in Marchwood is particularly pronounced. Burglary, at 0.5 per 1,000, remains a localised outlier, 52% above the UK average. Residents might find it useful to note that violent crime rates in Marchwood are 12% below the UK average, despite their high share of total crimes, suggesting local factors may temper broader trends.

For Marchwood, the crime rate of 4.6 per 1,000 residents translates to one reported crime for roughly every 217 residents over the course of the month. This monthly aggregate provides a tangible sense of the scale of criminal activity relative to the population. On a daily basis, 27 crimes were recorded across 31 days, equating to roughly one crime per day—a figure that, while low, underscores the consistent presence of crime in a small built-up area. When considering the local context, this rate is lower than the UK average, but specific categories like burglary stand out as exceptions. The 0.5 per 1,000 rate for burglary in Marchwood is 52% above the UK average of 0.3 per 1,000, highlighting a localised concern that contrasts with the overall low crime environment. This discrepancy may reflect factors such as the area’s proximity to the New Forest’s rural landscape, where property vulnerabilities could differ from urban centres. For residents, the data suggests that while general crime is sparse, targeted awareness of specific crime types remains important.