Crime in Hythe and Dibden Purlieu: statistics, rates and trends
1,234 crimes were recorded in Hythe and Dibden Purlieu in the 12 months to July 2026, 60.5 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 4% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Hythe and Dibden Purlieu at a glance
- Crime trends in Hythe and Dibden Purlieu
- Types of crime in Hythe and Dibden Purlieu
- Hythe and Dibden Purlieu compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Hythe and Dibden Purlieu
- Streets with the most crime in Hythe and Dibden Purlieu
- What happened after crimes were reported in Hythe and Dibden Purlieu
- Population and deprivation in Hythe and Dibden Purlieu
- Questions about crime in Hythe and Dibden Purlieu
- About this data
1,234 crimes were recorded in Hythe and Dibden Purlieu in the 12 months to July 2026, 60.5 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 4% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 574 reports (47% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Hythe and Dibden Purlieu has the 956th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Hythe and Dibden Purlieu | New Forest | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,234 | 10,252 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 60.5 | 58.2 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +4% | -8% | -1% |
| Population | 20,390 | 176,116 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Hythe and Dibden Purlieu was highest in the year to July 2022 (1,565 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2019 (1,147). Over the whole period it fell 5%, 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 | 1,234 | 60.5 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,187 | 58.2 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,462 | 71.7 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,526 | 74.8 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,565 | 76.8 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,388 | 68.1 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,414 | 69.3 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,147 | 56.3 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,298 | 63.7 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 120 |
| June 2026 | 103 |
| May 2026 | 120 |
| April 2026 | 99 |
| March 2026 | 95 |
| February 2026 | 87 |
| January 2026 | 134 |
| December 2025 | 87 |
| November 2025 | 85 |
| October 2025 | 97 |
| September 2025 | 106 |
| August 2025 | 101 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Hythe and Dibden Purlieu 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 increases were in vehicle crime (+91%) and other crime (+33%). The largest falls were in public order (-21%) and other theft (-20%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 574 | 28.2 | 0.82 | +9% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 130 | 6.4 | 0.94 | +26% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 120 | 5.9 | 0.38 | -14% |
| Public order | 89 | 4.4 | 0.66 | -21% |
| Shoplifting | 84 | 4.1 | 0.50 | +15% |
| Other theft | 69 | 3.4 | 0.53 | -20% |
| Burglary | 51 | 2.5 | 0.71 | -14% |
| Vehicle crime | 44 | 2.2 | 0.44 | +91% |
| Other crime | 28 | 1.4 | 0.65 | +33% |
| Drugs | 19 | 0.9 | 0.29 | -10% |
| Possession of weapons | 13 | 0.6 | 0.66 | +62% |
| Bicycle theft | 8 | 0.4 | 0.48 | +100% |
| Robbery | 4 | 0.2 | 0.15 | +33% |
| Theft from the person | 1 | 0.0 | 0.03 | -75% |
Violence and sexual offences in Hythe and Dibden Purlieu
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Hythe and Dibden Purlieu recorded 574 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (28.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 46.5% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Hythe and Dibden Purlieu
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Hythe and Dibden Purlieu recorded 130 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 26% on the year before. It made up 10.5% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Hythe and Dibden Purlieu
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Hythe and Dibden Purlieu recorded 120 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 9.7% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Hythe and Dibden Purlieu
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Hythe and Dibden Purlieu recorded 89 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 7.2% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Hythe and Dibden Purlieu
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Hythe and Dibden Purlieu recorded 84 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 15% on the year before. It made up 6.8% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Hythe and Dibden Purlieu
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Hythe and Dibden Purlieu recorded 69 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 5.6% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Hythe and Dibden Purlieu
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Hythe and Dibden Purlieu recorded 51 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 4.1% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Hythe and Dibden Purlieu
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Hythe and Dibden Purlieu recorded 44 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 91% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Hythe and Dibden Purlieu
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Hythe and Dibden Purlieu recorded 28 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Hythe and Dibden Purlieu
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Hythe and Dibden Purlieu recorded 19 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Hythe and Dibden Purlieu
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Hythe and Dibden Purlieu recorded 13 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 62% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Hythe and Dibden Purlieu
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Hythe and Dibden Purlieu recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Hythe and Dibden Purlieu
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Hythe and Dibden Purlieu recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Hythe and Dibden Purlieu
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Hythe and Dibden Purlieu recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 75% on the year before. It made up 0.1% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Hythe and Dibden Purlieu, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Hythe and Dibden Purlieu.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Hythe and Dibden Purlieu |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holbury | 471 | 61.0 | +1% |
| Marchwood | 285 | 48.7 | -20% |
| Netley | 626 | 81.3 | +34% |
| Blackfield and Langley | 347 | 56.4 | -7% |
| Southampton | 34,149 | 131.6 | +118% |
| Bursledon | 502 | 68.6 | +13% |
| West End (Eastleigh) | 786 | 74.7 | +23% |
| Locks Heath | 1,926 | 53.5 | -12% |
3 areas within Hythe and Dibden Purlieu, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Hythe South had the highest rate (66.3 per 1,000) and Hythe Central the lowest (52.6). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hythe South | Neighbourhood | 7,358 | 488 | 66.3 |
| Dibden & Dibden Purlieu | Neighbourhood | 7,085 | 433 | 61.1 |
| Hythe Central | Neighbourhood | 5,947 | 313 | 52.6 |
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 Hythe and Dibden Purlieu over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Petrol Station | 71 |
| On or near Beech Crescent | 41 |
| On or near Supermarket | 36 |
| On or near The Promenade | 34 |
| On or near Roundcopse | 27 |
| On or near Parking Area | 26 |
| On or near Dominy Close | 25 |
| On or near The Marsh | 22 |
| On or near Roman Road | 21 |
| On or near Wildground Lane | 20 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Hythe and Dibden Purlieu 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 | 410 | 33.2% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 352 | 28.5% |
| Not recorded | 120 | 9.7% |
| Under investigation | 116 | 9.4% |
| Local resolution | 58 | 4.7% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 56 | 4.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 56 | 4.5% |
| Court result unavailable | 18 | 1.5% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 17 | 1.4% |
| Offender given a caution | 17 | 1.4% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 8 | 0.6% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 4 | 0.3% |
Hythe and Dibden Purlieu has an estimated population of 20,390. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Hythe and Dibden Purlieu sits in decile 6.8, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Hythe and Dibden Purlieu |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 15.8% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 54.8% |
| Aged 65 and over | 29.4% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 74.4% |
| Social rented homes | 13.7% |
| Private rented homes | 11.8% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.8 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 6.8% |
Is Hythe and Dibden Purlieu a safe place to live?
Hythe and Dibden Purlieu recorded 60.5 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 Hythe and Dibden Purlieu?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 574 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by criminal damage and arson (130).
Is crime in Hythe and Dibden Purlieu going up or down?
Recorded crime in Hythe and Dibden Purlieu was up 4% on the year before: 1,234 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,187 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Hythe and Dibden Purlieu?
Hythe and Dibden Purlieu 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 Hythe and Dibden Purlieu. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.