Marchwood Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

December 2024 marked a continuation of Marchwood's consistently low crime profile, with the area recording a crime rate of 3.6 per 1,000 residents—49.3% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. This figure reflects a sustained trend of safety in a built-up area within the New Forest, where rural character likely contributes to lower population density and reduced opportunities for certain types of crime. The most common crimes reported were violence and sexual offences (11 cases, 52.4% of total), followed by other crime (3 cases, 14.3%) and anti-social behaviour (2 cases, 9.5%). These patterns align with seasonal factors typical of December, such as the impact of dark evenings, Christmas shopping activity, and the presence of empty homes over the holiday period. The relatively low levels of property crime (4 cases, 19%) further distinguish Marchwood from many urban centres, where theft and burglary often dominate. The UK average for violence and sexual offences (2.6 per 1,000) suggests Marchwood's figures are 26% below national norms, consistent with the area's quieter, more residential nature. However, the seasonal context of December—characterised by reduced daylight and increased retail activity—may have influenced the balance of crime types, with violent incidents potentially linked to heightened social interactions in public spaces.

December 2024 saw a 31.3% decrease in violence and sexual offences compared to November, with the number of such crimes falling from 16 to 11. This decline aligns with the seasonal reduction in nightlife activity and the closure of some businesses during the Christmas period. Conversely, other theft increased by 100% (from 1 to 2 cases), possibly linked to the heightened retail activity and the presence of more unattended packages during the festive season. Anti-social behaviour also dropped by 50% (from 4 to 2 cases), likely reflecting the quieter community atmosphere over the holidays. Marchwood's rate of violence and sexual offences (1.9 per 1,000) remains 26% below the UK average, highlighting the area's continued safety in this category. The increase in other theft, while significant, remains a small absolute number (2 cases), suggesting that local efforts to secure properties and monitor public spaces may have mitigated broader risks. Residents may find the 1-in-279 residents figure for monthly exposure particularly reassuring, as it underscores the rarity of crime in this built-up area compared to larger urban centres.

Marchwood's crime rate in December 2024 (3.6 per 1,000) represents a 15.9% decrease from the previous month's rate of 4.3 per 1,000, reflecting a sustained downward trend. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly 1 crime per day over the 31-day period, a figure that, while specific to Marchwood, illustrates the low frequency of incidents in this built-up area. When scaled to the population of 5,851 residents, the monthly exposure rate of 1 crime per 279 residents highlights the rarity of crime in a community of this size. This contrasts sharply with the UK average, where the 7.1 per 1,000 rate implies a much higher likelihood of experiencing crime. The population context further underscores Marchwood's safety: with fewer than 1,000 residents per 100 crimes, the area's crime profile is markedly different from denser urban environments. The combination of low population density, the presence of natural barriers within the New Forest, and the relatively quiet nature of the built-up area likely contribute to these figures. While the increase in other theft and criminal damage may raise questions, the absolute numbers remain small, reinforcing the broader narrative of a community that consistently outperforms national averages in terms of safety.