Crime in Sway, New Forest: statistics, rates and trends
111 crimes were recorded in Sway, New Forest in the 12 months to August 2026, 28.7 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and down 48% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime map
- Crime in Sway, New Forest at a glance
- Crime trends in Sway, New Forest
- Types of crime in Sway, New Forest
- Sway, New Forest compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Sway, New Forest
- What happened after crimes were reported in Sway, New Forest
- Demographics of Sway, New Forest
- Questions about crime in Sway, New Forest
- About this data
Crime map
Violence and sexual offences (53), anti-social behaviour (14), burglary (9), criminal damage and arson (9) and other theft (9) made up 85% of all recorded crime. Its crime rate ranks 3,800th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site (1 = highest), in the lowest tenth.
| Measure | Sway, New Forest | New Forest | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to August 2026 | 111 | 10,266 | 5,618,064 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 28.7 | 58.3 | 96.7 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -48% | -7% | -1% |
| Population | 3,871 | 176,116 | 58,127,638 |
Recorded crime in Sway, New Forest peaked in the year to August 2025 (213 crimes) and was lowest in the year to August 2018 (102). Between the years to August 2018 and 2026 it rose 9%, while across England and Wales it fell 4%.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to August 2026 | 111 | 28.7 | 96.7 |
| Year to August 2025 | 213 | 55.0 | 97.2 |
| Year to August 2024 | 166 | 42.9 | 97.9 |
| Year to August 2023 | 165 | 42.6 | n/a |
| Year to August 2022 | 192 | 49.6 | 102.0 |
| Year to August 2021 | 168 | 43.4 | 101.4 |
| Year to August 2020 | 119 | 30.7 | 102.7 |
| Year to August 2019 | 120 | 31.0 | 101.7 |
| Year to August 2018 | 102 | 26.3 | 100.8 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 14 |
| July 2026 | 7 |
| June 2026 | 8 |
| May 2026 | 19 |
| April 2026 | 5 |
| March 2026 | 7 |
| February 2026 | 7 |
| January 2026 | 10 |
| December 2025 | 8 |
| November 2025 | 9 |
| October 2025 | 7 |
| September 2025 | 10 |
No category with at least 20 crimes was notably above the England and Wales rate, and violence and sexual offences (60% below) was well below it.
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 53 | 13.7 | 34.2 | -5% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 14 | 3.6 | 15.4 | n/a |
| Burglary | 9 | 2.3 | 3.6 | n/a |
| Criminal damage and arson | 9 | 2.3 | 6.7 | n/a |
| Other theft | 9 | 2.3 | 6.4 | n/a |
| Public order | 7 | 1.8 | 6.7 | n/a |
| Vehicle crime | 4 | 1.0 | 5.0 | n/a |
| Bicycle theft | 2 | 0.5 | 0.8 | n/a |
| Drugs | 1 | 0.3 | 3.3 | n/a |
| Possession of weapons | 1 | 0.3 | 1.0 | n/a |
| Shoplifting | 1 | 0.3 | 8.5 | n/a |
| Theft from the person | 1 | 0.3 | 1.7 | n/a |
What each category covers: crime categories.
6 of the 8 nearest neighbourhoods have a higher crime rate than Sway, New Forest; the highest is Milton, New Forest (102.9 per 1,000) and the lowest Barton & Becton (24.3).
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Sway, New Forest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brockenhurst & Denny Lodge | 170 | 49.4 | +72% |
| Ashley, Bashley & Fernhill | 342 | 44.6 | +56% |
| Pennington | 398 | 51.7 | +80% |
| Milford & Hordle | 277 | 26.5 | -7% |
| Lymington | 509 | 63.7 | +122% |
| Milton | 652 | 102.9 | +259% |
| Ballard | 369 | 89.8 | +213% |
| Barton & Becton | 177 | 24.3 | -15% |
The 10 locations below account for 51% of the crime recorded in Sway, New Forest over the 12 months to August 2026; the most were recorded at “South Sway Lane” (10).
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near South Sway Lane | 10 |
| On or near Boldre Lane | 7 |
| On or near Adlam'S Lane | 6 |
| On or near Set Thorns Road | 6 |
| On or near Shirley Holms | 6 |
| On or near Crabbswood Lane | 5 |
| On or near Kitchers Close | 5 |
| On or near Buldowne Walk | 4 |
| On or near Kings Lane | 4 |
| On or near Parking Area | 4 |
The latest recorded outcomes for the 97 crimes in Sway, New Forest with one. The 14 anti-social behaviour reports have no outcome and are left out.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 42 | 43.3% | 35.3% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 34 | 35.1% | 34.5% |
| Under investigation | 8 | 8.2% | 11.5% |
| Local resolution | 5 | 5.2% | 3.1% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 3 | 3.1% | 5.2% |
| Status update unavailable | 3 | 3.1% | 4.7% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 1 | 1.0% | 0.3% |
| Offender given a caution | 1 | 1.0% | 0.6% |
Sway, New Forest has an estimated population of 3,871 (ONS, mid-2024). Compared with England and Wales it has an older population (37%, against 19%), more retired residents (37%, against 22%) and fewer households without a car (7.2%, against 23.3%). On the England IoD 2025, the small areas (LSOAs) that make up Sway, New Forest average decile 8.5 (1 = most deprived), less deprived than average.
| Measure | Sway, New Forest | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 13.2% | 18.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 37.0% | 18.9% |
| Residents 16+ in work | 48.4% | 57.2% |
| Residents 16+ unemployed | 1.8% | 3.4% |
| Residents 16+ retired | 36.7% | 21.6% |
| Residents 16+ who are students | 4.2% | 7.9% |
| Residents 16+ with Level 4 qualifications or above (degree, HND and similar) | 41.7% | 33.8% |
| Residents 16+ with no qualifications | 12.6% | 18.2% |
| Households with no car or van | 7.2% | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 84.4% | 62.5% |
| Social rented homes | 5.7% | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 9.8% | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 8.5 | 5.5 (England) |
Is Sway, New Forest a safe place to live?
Sway, New Forest recorded 28.7 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to August 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and ranks 3,800th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods on this site by crime rate (1 = highest).
What is the most common crime in Sway, New Forest?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 53 reports in the 12 months to August 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (14).
Is crime in Sway, New Forest going up or down?
Recorded crime in Sway, New Forest was down 48% on the year before: 111 crimes in the 12 months to August 2026 against 213 in the previous 12 months.
What is the population of Sway, New Forest?
About 3,871 people (ONS mid-2024 estimate), 37% of them aged 65 or over (England and Wales: 19%).
Which police force covers Sway, New Forest?
Sway, New Forest is policed by Hampshire.
Police-recorded crime from data.police.uk (September 2017 to August 2026), ONS population estimates and Census 2021. Definitions and limitations: methodology.