Crime in Ashley (New Forest): statistics, rates and trends
313 crimes were recorded in Ashley (New Forest) in the 12 months to July 2026, 39.2 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 11% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Ashley (New Forest) at a glance
- Crime trends in Ashley (New Forest)
- Types of crime in Ashley (New Forest)
- Ashley (New Forest) compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Ashley (New Forest)
- Streets with the most crime in Ashley (New Forest)
- What happened after crimes were reported in Ashley (New Forest)
- Population and deprivation in Ashley (New Forest)
- Questions about crime in Ashley (New Forest)
- About this data
313 crimes were recorded in Ashley (New Forest) in the 12 months to July 2026, 39.2 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 11% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 155 reports (50% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Ashley (New Forest) has the 1,316th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Ashley (New Forest) | New Forest | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 313 | 10,252 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 39.2 | 58.2 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -11% | -8% | -1% |
| Population | 7,984 | 176,116 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Ashley (New Forest) was highest in the year to July 2022 (492 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (313). Over the whole period it fell 10%, 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 | 313 | 39.2 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 353 | 44.2 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 360 | 45.1 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 407 | 51.0 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 492 | 61.6 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 455 | 57.0 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 419 | 52.5 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 368 | 46.1 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 348 | 43.6 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 37 |
| June 2026 | 29 |
| May 2026 | 31 |
| April 2026 | 22 |
| March 2026 | 24 |
| February 2026 | 19 |
| January 2026 | 27 |
| December 2025 | 27 |
| November 2025 | 23 |
| October 2025 | 22 |
| September 2025 | 20 |
| August 2025 | 32 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Ashley (New Forest) 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. The largest falls were in criminal damage and arson (-52%) and shoplifting (-48%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 155 | 19.4 | 0.57 | -5% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 29 | 3.6 | 0.24 | +4% |
| Public order | 21 | 2.6 | 0.40 | -34% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 20 | 2.5 | 0.37 | -52% |
| Burglary | 19 | 2.4 | 0.67 | +58% |
| Vehicle crime | 19 | 2.4 | 0.48 | +19% |
| Other crime | 15 | 1.9 | 0.89 | +88% |
| Other theft | 14 | 1.8 | 0.27 | -22% |
| Shoplifting | 12 | 1.5 | 0.18 | -48% |
| Drugs | 3 | 0.4 | 0.11 | -57% |
| Possession of weapons | 2 | 0.3 | 0.26 | -50% |
| Robbery | 2 | 0.3 | 0.19 | n/a |
| Theft from the person | 2 | 0.3 | 0.15 | n/a |
Violence and sexual offences in Ashley (New Forest)
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Ashley (New Forest) recorded 155 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (19.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 49.5% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Ashley (New Forest)
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Ashley (New Forest) recorded 29 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 9.3% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Ashley (New Forest)
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Ashley (New Forest) recorded 21 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 34% on the year before. It made up 6.7% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Ashley (New Forest)
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Ashley (New Forest) recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 52% on the year before. It made up 6.4% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Ashley (New Forest)
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Ashley (New Forest) recorded 19 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 58% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Ashley (New Forest)
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Ashley (New Forest) recorded 19 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Ashley (New Forest)
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Ashley (New Forest) recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 88% on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Ashley (New Forest)
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Ashley (New Forest) recorded 14 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 4.5% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Ashley (New Forest)
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Ashley (New Forest) recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 48% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Ashley (New Forest)
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Ashley (New Forest) recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 57% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Ashley (New Forest)
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Ashley (New Forest) recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Ashley (New Forest)
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Ashley (New Forest) recorded 2 reports 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 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Ashley (New Forest)
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Ashley (New Forest) recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Ashley (New Forest), for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Ashley (New Forest).
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Ashley (New Forest) |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Milton | 1,004 | 96.1 | +145% |
| Barton on Sea | 178 | 24.5 | -38% |
| Lymington | 908 | 57.9 | +48% |
| Christchurch (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole) | 2,754 | 57.6 | +47% |
| Freshwater and Totland | 490 | 56.1 | +43% |
| Ringwood | 913 | 70.8 | +80% |
| Ashley Heath | 329 | 40.4 | +3% |
| Bournemouth | 21,650 | 106.8 | +172% |
1 areas within Ashley (New Forest), ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Ashley, Bashley & Fernhill had the highest rate (45.7 per 1,000) and Ashley, Bashley & Fernhill the lowest (45.7). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashley, Bashley & Fernhill | Neighbourhood | 7,667 | 350 | 45.7 |
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 Ashley (New Forest) over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Ashtree Close | 29 |
| On or near Molyneux Court | 17 |
| On or near Summertrees Court | 13 |
| On or near Thornham Road | 12 |
| On or near Somerton Close | 10 |
| On or near Franklin Road | 9 |
| On or near Winchester Road | 9 |
| On or near Ashley Common Road | 8 |
| On or near Manor Road | 8 |
| On or near Molyneux Road | 8 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Ashley (New Forest) 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 115 | 36.7% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 81 | 25.9% |
| Under investigation | 39 | 12.5% |
| Not recorded | 29 | 9.3% |
| Local resolution | 21 | 6.7% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 9 | 2.9% |
| Status update unavailable | 8 | 2.6% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 6 | 1.9% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 3 | 1.0% |
| Court result unavailable | 2 | 0.6% |
Ashley (New Forest) has an estimated population of 7,984. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Ashley (New Forest) sits in decile 6.9, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Ashley (New Forest) |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 13.3% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 55.1% |
| Aged 65 and over | 31.6% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 77.8% |
| Social rented homes | 11.8% |
| Private rented homes | 10.4% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.9 |
Is Ashley (New Forest) a safe place to live?
Ashley (New Forest) recorded 39.2 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 Ashley (New Forest)?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 155 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (29).
Is crime in Ashley (New Forest) going up or down?
Recorded crime in Ashley (New Forest) was down 11% on the year before: 313 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 353 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Ashley (New Forest)?
Ashley (New Forest) 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 Ashley (New Forest). Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.