Sandleheath Crime Rate

Sandleheath, a quiet village in the New Forest, is a very safe urban settlement with an overall crime rate of 31.0 per 1,000 people. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.7, earning the area an excellent safety score of 91/100. Despite its high safety rating, the village has seen a significant upward trend, with total crime increasing by 54.8% year-over-year. Sandleheath's crime profile is primarily defined by interpersonal offences and property-related issues, with property crime rates sitting at a low 10.9 per 1,000. Vehicle crime and burglary are among the most frequent offences. This report provides a detailed breakdown of local crime types, monthly trends, and practical safety advice to help Sandleheath residents maintain their secure community environment.

Crime Breakdown in Sandleheath

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Sandleheath, with 24 incidents accounting for 50.0% of total crime. This is followed by vehicle crime at 20.8% and burglary at 12.5%. These figures indicate that interpersonal issues and property-related offences are the primary drivers of local crime statistics.

Property-related crime in Sandleheath—including burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and shoplifting—occurs at a rate of 10.9 per 1,000 people. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.3, highlighting the area's relative safety despite a recent trend increase. Vehicle crime accounts for 20.8% of all crime, with 10 incidents reported in the last year. Burglary makes up 12.5% of local activity, with 6 incidents. For residents, the data suggests that while Sandleheath is a secure village, vehicle and home security should be a priority, particularly as these are among the top three most frequent offences. Maintaining visible deterrents and securing vehicles is recommended to mitigate these risks.

Sandleheath is currently seeing a significant upward trend in crime, with a 54.8% year-over-year increase. This is an important indicator for the village's safety. Monthly data from December 2024 to November 2025 shows that crime rates fluctuated throughout the year, with a notable peak at the end of the year. The highest peak was seen in December (4.5) and November (3.9).

The lowest points were recorded in March, April, and July, with a rate of just 1.3 crimes per 1,000 people. Following a relatively stable spring and summer, the crime rate began to rise in the autumn, finishing the year at its highest levels. This upward trend, combined with the significant percentage increase, suggests that Sandleheath residents should be more vigilant and take basic security precautions to maintain the village's reputation as a secure and peaceful residential community.

How To Keep Safe in Sandleheath

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Sandleheath, accounting for 50.0% 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 paths, especially after dark, stay aware of your surroundings and stick to well-lit paths.
• Secure Your Vehicle: Vehicle crime (20.8%) is a major concern, especially at night. Always remove valuables from your car and park in a secure, well-lit location if possible.
• Secure Your Home: Burglary (12.5%) is a top concern. Ensure your home has robust window and door locks and consider motion-activated lighting to deter opportunistic thieves.
• Report Any Concerns: With a significant upward trend in local crime, reporting suspicious activity is more important than ever. Joining a local watch scheme ensures that information is shared quickly.
• Engage with Neighbours: A connected community is a safer one. Neighbours looking out for each other can help maintain the village's high safety standards and deter potential offenders.

Crime timing in Sandleheath reveals distinct shifts in risk throughout the 24-hour cycle. During the morning and afternoon (6am to 6pm), theft and burglary are the primary concerns. Burglary accounts for a staggering 70% of crimes in the afternoon, suggesting that homes are being targeted when they are most likely to be empty.

As night falls, the profile of crime changes significantly. Between 12am and 6am, the risk to property and vehicles peaks. Vehicle crime accounts for 56% of night-time incidents, while burglary makes up 42%. This means property-related offences account for 98% of all activity during these hours. This suggests that while overall crime volume is low during the night, almost all recorded incidents are focused on property and vehicles. 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, Sandleheath (31.0 crimes per 1,000) is an exceptionally safe residential choice. It is notably safer than the nearby town of Fordingbridge, which has a rate of 83.4, and has a similar crime profile to neighbouring Alderholt at 26.3. While Sandleheath sees more activity than the zero-crime rural hamlets of Rockbourne and Breamore, it offers a high level of safety for an urban settlement of its size. These comparisons highlight Sandleheath as a secure village that provides a low-risk environment for its residents despite the recent increase in local crime.

With a property crime rate of 10.9 per 1,000 in Sandleheath and a significant upward trend, residents should focus on enhancing their security through proactive measures. While the volume of crime is lower than the national average, vehicle crime and burglary are the top property concerns. 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 Sandleheath residents, where property crime makes up almost 100% of night-time activity, 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.