Crime in Hythe and Dibden Purlieu: statistics, rates and trends

1,236 crimes were recorded in Hythe and Dibden Purlieu in the 12 months to August 2026, 60.6 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and up 3% on the year before.

Crime map

Circle size: number of crimesSeptember 2025 to August 2026. Source: data.police.uk, Open Government Licence v3.0

Violence and sexual offences (525), criminal damage and arson (140) and anti-social behaviour (139) made up 65% of all recorded crime. Its crime rate ranks 943rd of the 1,390 towns covered by this site (1 = highest), in the lower half.

MeasureHythe and Dibden PurlieuNew ForestEngland and Wales
Crimes, the 12 months to August 20261,23610,2665,618,064
Crimes per 1,000 residents60.658.396.7
Change on previous 12 months+3%-7%-1%
Population20,390176,11658,127,638

Recorded crime in Hythe and Dibden Purlieu peaked in the year to August 2022 (1,532 crimes) and was lowest in the year to August 2019 (1,159). Between the years to August 2018 and 2026 it was almost unchanged, while across England and Wales it fell 4%.

PeriodCrimesPer 1,000England and Wales per 1,000
Year to August 20261,23660.696.7
Year to August 20251,20058.997.2
Year to August 20241,42369.897.9
Year to August 20231,51674.4n/a
Year to August 20221,53275.1102.0
Year to August 20211,40669.0101.4
Year to August 20201,44971.1102.7
Year to August 20191,15956.8101.7
Year to August 20181,24561.1100.8

Month by month

MonthCrimes
August 2026103
July 2026120
June 2026103
May 2026120
April 202699
March 202695
February 202687
January 2026134
December 202587
November 202585
October 202597
September 2025106

No category with at least 20 crimes was notably above the England and Wales rate, and drugs (66% below) and anti-social behaviour (56% below) were well below it. On the year before, vehicle crime rose from 20 to 46 and criminal damage and arson rose from 97 to 140.

Crime typeCrimesPer 1,000England and Wales per 1,000Change on year
Violence and sexual offences52525.734.2-10%
Criminal damage and arson1406.96.7+44%
Anti-social behaviour1396.815.4+6%
Public order964.76.7-8%
Shoplifting854.28.5+20%
Other theft733.66.4-8%
Burglary542.63.6-4%
Vehicle crime462.35.0+130%
Other crime291.42.1+38%
Drugs231.13.3n/a
Possession of weapons110.51.0n/a
Bicycle theft80.40.8n/a
Robbery60.31.4n/a
Theft from the person10.01.7n/a

What each category covers: crime categories.

5 of the 8 nearest towns have a higher crime rate than Hythe and Dibden Purlieu; the highest is Southampton (133.7 per 1,000) and the lowest Marchwood (50.7).

TownCrimesPer 1,000Rate vs Hythe and Dibden Purlieu
Holbury48262.4+3%
Marchwood29750.7-16%
Netley63882.8+37%
Blackfield and Langley34656.2-7%
Southampton34,688133.7+121%
Bursledon49367.4+11%
West End (Eastleigh)79775.7+25%
Locks Heath1,92553.5-12%

Of the 3 areas within Hythe and Dibden Purlieu, Hythe South had the highest crime rate (66.6 per 1,000) and Hythe Central the lowest (53.1).

AreaTypePopulationCrimesPer 1,000
Hythe SouthNeighbourhood7,35849066.6
Dibden & Dibden PurlieuNeighbourhood7,08543060.7
Hythe CentralNeighbourhood5,94731653.1

The 10 locations below account for 26% of the crime recorded in Hythe and Dibden Purlieu over the 12 months to August 2026; the most were recorded at “Petrol Station” (70).

LocationCrimes
On or near Petrol Station70
On or near Beech Crescent38
On or near Supermarket35
On or near The Promenade34
On or near Parking Area29
On or near Roundcopse25
On or near The Marsh25
On or near Dominy Close22
On or near Croft Close19
On or near Roman Road19

Of the 1,097 crimes in Hythe and Dibden Purlieu with a recorded outcome, 32% ended with the investigation complete and no suspect identified, against 35% across England and Wales; 4.8% were awaiting a court outcome (England and Wales: 5.2%). The 139 anti-social behaviour reports have no outcome and are left out.

OutcomeCrimesShareEngland and Wales
Unable to prosecute suspect42238.5%34.5%
Investigation complete; no suspect identified35332.2%35.3%
Under investigation978.8%11.5%
Local resolution625.7%3.1%
Awaiting court outcome534.8%5.2%
Status update unavailable393.6%4.7%
Action to be taken by another organisation232.1%1.3%
Court result unavailable191.7%2.5%
Offender given a caution141.3%0.6%
Further investigation is not in the public interest90.8%0.5%
Formal action is not in the public interest40.4%0.3%
Further action is not in the public interest20.2%0.3%

Hythe and Dibden Purlieu has an estimated population of 20,390 (ONS, mid-2024). Compared with England and Wales it has an older population (29%, against 19%), more retired residents (33%, against 22%) and fewer students (4.0%, against 7.9%). On the England IoD 2025, the small areas (LSOAs) that make up Hythe and Dibden Purlieu average decile 6.8 (1 = most deprived), less deprived than average.

MeasureHythe and Dibden PurlieuEngland and Wales
Aged 0 to 1515.8%18.3%
Aged 65 and over29.4%18.9%
Residents 16+ in work53.6%57.2%
Residents 16+ unemployed2.2%3.4%
Residents 16+ retired33.2%21.6%
Residents 16+ who are students4.0%7.9%
Residents 16+ with Level 4 qualifications or above (degree, HND and similar)28.0%33.8%
Residents 16+ with no qualifications16.4%18.2%
Households with no car or van13.0%23.3%
Homes owned outright or with a mortgage74.4%62.5%
Social rented homes13.7%17.1%
Private rented homes11.8%20.3%
Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least)6.85.5 (England)
Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas6.8%10.1% (England)

Is Hythe and Dibden Purlieu a safe place to live?

Hythe and Dibden Purlieu recorded 60.6 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to August 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and ranks 943rd of the 1,390 towns on this site by crime rate (1 = highest).

What is the most common crime in Hythe and Dibden Purlieu?

Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 525 reports in the 12 months to August 2026, followed by criminal damage and arson (140).

Is crime in Hythe and Dibden Purlieu going up or down?

Recorded crime in Hythe and Dibden Purlieu was up 3% on the year before: 1,236 crimes in the 12 months to August 2026 against 1,200 in the previous 12 months.

What is the population of Hythe and Dibden Purlieu?

About 20,390 people (ONS mid-2024 estimate), 29% of them aged 65 or over (England and Wales: 19%).

Which police force covers Hythe and Dibden Purlieu?

Hythe and Dibden Purlieu 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.

Related Posts

Crime in Ystrad Mynach: statistics, rates and trends
Crime in Ystalyfera: statistics, rates and trends
Crime in York: statistics, rates and trends
Crime in Yeovil: statistics, rates and trends

Cite this page

<a href="https://policestatistics.co.uk/towns/hythe-and-dibden-purlieu">https://policestatistics.co.uk/towns/hythe-and-dibden-purlieu</a>