Crime in Forest & Solent: statistics, rates and trends
219 crimes were recorded in Forest & Solent in the 12 months to July 2026, 60.1 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 13% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Forest & Solent at a glance
- Crime trends in Forest & Solent
- Types of crime in Forest & Solent
- Forest & Solent compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Forest & Solent
- What happened after crimes were reported in Forest & Solent
- Population and deprivation in Forest & Solent
- Questions about crime in Forest & Solent
- About this data
219 crimes were recorded in Forest & Solent in the 12 months to July 2026, 60.1 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 13% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 67 reports (31% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Forest & Solent has the 2,596th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Forest & Solent | New Forest | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 219 | 10,252 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 60.1 | 58.2 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +13% | -8% | -1% |
| Population | 3,642 | 176,116 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Forest & Solent was highest in the year to July 2020 (325 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (194). Over the whole period it fell 12%, against a fall of 4% across England and Wales. Rates use today's population for every year, so they show the direction of change rather than exact historic rates.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 219 | 60.1 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 194 | 53.3 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 238 | 65.3 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 232 | 63.7 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 284 | 78.0 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 312 | 85.7 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 325 | 89.2 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 297 | 81.5 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 248 | 68.1 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 18 |
| June 2026 | 19 |
| May 2026 | 14 |
| April 2026 | 25 |
| March 2026 | 14 |
| February 2026 | 13 |
| January 2026 | 10 |
| December 2025 | 9 |
| November 2025 | 16 |
| October 2025 | 31 |
| September 2025 | 20 |
| August 2025 | 30 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Forest & Solent over the 12 months to July 2026. The index compares the local rate with England and Wales: 1.00 is the national rate, 2.00 is double it. Rates were well above the national level for other theft, burglary, possession of weapons.
The largest increases were in other theft (+75%) and burglary (+30%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 67 | 18.4 | 0.54 | -9% |
| Other theft | 35 | 9.6 | 1.50 | +75% |
| Burglary | 30 | 8.2 | 2.33 | +30% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 23 | 6.3 | 0.93 | +130% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 16 | 4.4 | 0.29 | -11% |
| Vehicle crime | 15 | 4.1 | 0.84 | +50% |
| Public order | 13 | 3.6 | 0.54 | -32% |
| Possession of weapons | 6 | 1.6 | 1.70 | +200% |
| Bicycle theft | 5 | 1.4 | 1.67 | +400% |
| Drugs | 4 | 1.1 | 0.34 | -50% |
| Other crime | 4 | 1.1 | 0.52 | -43% |
| Robbery | 1 | 0.3 | 0.20 | n/a |
Violence and sexual offences in Forest & Solent
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Forest & Solent recorded 67 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (18.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 30.6% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Forest & Solent
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Forest & Solent recorded 35 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 75% on the year before. It made up 16.0% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Forest & Solent
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Forest & Solent recorded 30 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 30% on the year before. It made up 13.7% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Forest & Solent
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Forest & Solent recorded 23 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 130% on the year before. It made up 10.5% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Forest & Solent
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Forest & Solent recorded 16 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 7.3% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Forest & Solent
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Forest & Solent recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 50% on the year before. It made up 6.8% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Forest & Solent
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Forest & Solent recorded 13 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 32% on the year before. It made up 5.9% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Forest & Solent
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Forest & Solent recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 200% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Forest & Solent
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Forest & Solent recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 400% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Forest & Solent
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Forest & Solent recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Forest & Solent
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Forest & Solent recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 43% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Forest & Solent
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Forest & Solent recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Forest & Solent, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Forest & Solent.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Forest & Solent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lymington | 514 | 64.3 | +7% |
| Pennington | 394 | 51.2 | -15% |
| Brockenhurst & Denny Lodge | 157 | 45.6 | -24% |
| Sway | 113 | 29.2 | -51% |
| Hardley, Holbury & North Blackfield | 364 | 56.9 | -5% |
| Dibden & Dibden Purlieu | 433 | 61.1 | +2% |
| Fawley, Blackfield, Calshot & Langley | 454 | 60.7 | +1% |
| Hythe South | 488 | 66.3 | +10% |
Police.uk records each crime at an approximate location, usually the centre of a nearby street or a landmark, to protect victims' privacy. These are the locations with the most reports in Forest & Solent over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 56 |
| On or near Thorns Lane | 15 |
| On or near Park/Open Space | 14 |
| On or near Hatchet Lane | 13 |
| On or near Beaulieu Road | 12 |
| On or near Gilpin Close | 7 |
| On or near Ferry Terminal | 6 |
| On or near School Lane | 5 |
| On or near Mill Lane | 5 |
| On or near Brickfield Lane | 4 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Forest & Solent over the 12 months to July 2026. Many cases are still open when the data is published, and anti-social behaviour has no outcome recorded, so these shares change as investigations finish.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 112 | 51.1% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 41 | 18.7% |
| Under investigation | 19 | 8.7% |
| Not recorded | 16 | 7.3% |
| Status update unavailable | 15 | 6.8% |
| Local resolution | 4 | 1.8% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 3 | 1.4% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 3 | 1.4% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 3 | 1.4% |
| Court result unavailable | 1 | 0.5% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.5% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.5% |
Forest & Solent has an estimated population of 3,642. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Forest & Solent sits in decile 6.3, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Forest & Solent |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 14.2% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 57.6% |
| Aged 65 and over | 28.2% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 67.0% |
| Social rented homes | 9.7% |
| Private rented homes | 23.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.3 |
Is Forest & Solent a safe place to live?
Forest & Solent recorded 60.1 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4. Crime is concentrated in a small number of places within most areas, often busy centres and transport hubs, so the rate for a single street can differ a lot from the area as a whole.
What is the most common crime in Forest & Solent?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 67 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by other theft (35).
Is crime in Forest & Solent going up or down?
Recorded crime in Forest & Solent was up 13% on the year before: 219 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 194 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Forest & Solent?
Forest & Solent is policed by Hampshire. Non-emergency crimes can be reported online to the force or by calling 101; in an emergency call 999.
How are these crime rates calculated?
Each rate is the number of crimes recorded by the police in the 12 months to July 2026, divided by the resident population and multiplied by 1,000. Crime data is from data.police.uk and population estimates are from the Office for National Statistics.
Figures are police-recorded crime published on data.police.uk, covering August 2017 to July 2026. Each crime is counted in the small area (LSOA) where it was recorded and added up to Forest & Solent. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.