Marchwood Crime Rate October 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In October 2024, Marchwood’s crime profile was defined by a pronounced imbalance between property and violent crime. With 6 property crimes recorded against 3 violent crimes, the area’s crime mix diverged sharply from the UK average, where violent crime typically holds a larger share. The overall crime rate of 3.4 per 1,000 residents placed Marchwood 58% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000, a gap that reflects both the area’s rural context and its status as a built-up settlement within the New Forest. Anti-social behaviour (25% of all crimes) and public order offences (20%) dominated the breakdown, with the former significantly below the UK average (0.9 vs 1.3 per 1,000). This contrast highlights the unique character of Marchwood, where low population density and proximity to natural landscapes may contribute to different crime dynamics compared to more densely populated areas. The seasonal context of October—marked by darker evenings, the start of the school term, and Halloween—likely influenced the rise in anti-social behaviour, which often peaks during periods of increased social activity and reduced visibility. While property crimes remained relatively low, the dominance of anti-social behaviour suggests that community-focused interventions may be more pressing than traditional crime prevention strategies. This pattern is consistent with other rural built-up areas where social issues tend to dominate over more severe criminal activity.

The month-on-month shift in crime types reveals a stark contrast between rising anti-social behaviour and declining violence. Anti-social behaviour surged by 150%, jumping from 2 to 5 incidents, while violence and sexual offences fell sharply by 72.7% (from 11 to 3). This imbalance suggests a shift in community dynamics, with public order issues becoming more prominent. Anti-social behaviour in Marchwood remains 30% below the UK average (0.9 vs 1.3 per 1,000), but public order offences are 25% above the national rate (0.7 vs 0.6 per 1,000). The property crime-to-violent crime ratio stood at 2:1, a trend consistent with other built-up areas in rural regions where property-related incidents often dominate. This pattern may reflect Marchwood’s proximity to natural spaces, where anti-social behaviour is more likely to occur in open areas rather than confined urban settings.

Marchwood's crime rate in October 2024 stood at 3.4 per 1,000 residents, a 16.6% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 4.1 per 1,000. This downward trend suggests a continued period of relative stability in local crime patterns. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly one crime per day over the 31-day period, a figure that, while low, reflects the small population size of 5,851 residents. When scaled to monthly exposure, this equates to one reported crime for every 293 residents, a statistic that underscores the rarity of crime in this built-up area within the New Forest. The population context further highlights how infrequent these incidents are, with the vast majority of residents experiencing no direct impact from criminal activity. Comparisons to the UK average are less relevant here, given Marchwood’s unique demographic and geographic characteristics, but the local data remains a useful indicator of community safety.