APPENDIX 1
 |
CONTENTS
1. FOREWORD
2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
3. DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE
4. SOURCES OF INFORMATION
5. REVIEW OF PARTNERSHIP PLAN
SHOPLIFTING & BURGLARY (business & community)
SERIOUS VIOLENCE (possession of weapons)
.. VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN & GIRLS
INLCUDING DOMESTIC ABUSE
6. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
7. NEW FOREST COMPARATIVE CRIME DATA
8. RURAL CRIME
9. ADDITIONAL NEW FOREST DATA
ROAD SAFETY AND COMMUNITY SPEEDWATCH INITIATIVE
NFDC FLY-TIPPING
NFDC ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
PROBATION SERVICE
HAMPSHIRE YOUTH OFFENDING TEAM
HAMPSHIRE & ISLE OF WIGHT FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE………………………………………37
PUBLIC SPACE PROTECTION ORDERS
10. POLICE & CRIME COMMISSIONER
PRIORITIES
APPENDIX A – PARTNERSHIP PLAN 2023-24
APPENDIX B – CRIME DATA BY SECTOR
APPENDIX C – GLOSSARY OF CRIME TYPES
1. foreword
As Portfolio Holder for Community, Safety & Wellbeing and chair of the Safer New Forest Strategy & Delivery Group, on behalf of the partners it is my pleasure to introduce the 2023/24 Safer New Forest strategic assessment.
The Safer New Forest partnership brings together a range of statutory, public and voluntary organisations who work together to prevent crime, reduce the fear of crime and enable the communities to feel safe where they live, work and vist.
The New Forest District Council area covers over 750 square kilometres of southwest Hampshire and is the largest of the 11 Hampshire local authority districts by area and also by size of population (175,785). The landscape is dominated by forest and heath in the New Forest National Park and by coastal areas along Southampton water and the Solent. The New Forest is visited by millions of people every year to the National Park, the coastline and sailing facilities, numerous market towns and several major themed attractions.
As chair of the Safer New Forest partnership, it was encouraging that so many agencies came together for the community partnership event in March 2024, demonstrating a shared responsibility and commitment for the prevention of crime and disorder within the New Forest.
The annual strategic assessment undertaken by the Safer New Forest partnership reviews the crime data by type and location, enabling the partnership to develop key priorities and actions to combat future offending.
The assessment will incude a summary of crime data, comparison of the levels based on previous years and patterns of crime and disorder.
Finally, I would like to thank the partnership, led by the NFDC Community Safety team, for their ongoing efforts to ensure the New Forest remains a safe place for us all to enjoy.
Cllr Dan Poole
Chair, Safer New Forest Partnership
2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The aim and purpose of this document is to assist the partnership in understanding patterns and trends relating to crime, disorder and ASB which impact residents, visitors and the business community within the district. The assessment also enables the partnership to identify and agree its strategic priorities for the next 12 months covering the period 2024/25. The priorities once set will be published as the Safer New Forest partnership action plan.
Using a range of data sources this has helped to provide a picture of crime and disorder (including anti-social behaviour) within the New Forest. Data sources, whilst informative, will have their limitations as crime data only reflects reported crime. The data included in this assessment will be influenced by a range of additional factors including changes in Police recording practices and policing activity/focus. Willingness of victims to report crime is also a key aspect and increases in reported crime types can also be in part due to targeted resources, greater awareness or higher confidence in the reporting process.
Recorded crime for the period April 2023 to March 2024 shows an overall reduction of 12% with a significant reduction in the following crime types:
Ø Reduction in violence without injury of 10% (from 3,264 to 2,954 reported incidents)
Ø 36% reduction in residential burglary
Ø Criminal damage has decreased by 21% of reported incidents
Ø Reduction in reported Public Order offences of 25%
Areas of concern:
Ø Possession of weapons increased by 32 reported incidents (26%)
Ø Shoplifting incidents has increased from 627 incidents to 799 incidents (27%)
The priorities identified through the Strategic Assessment 2024 are:
Ø Shoplifting & burglary (business & community)
Ø Serious violence / possession of weapons
Ø Violence against women & girls including domestic abuse.
3. DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE
Figure 1: Demographic profile of the New Forest
The New Forest is located within the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England positioned between Bournemouth and Southampton. It is a vibrant and unique area known for its natural landscapes, ancient woodland, and 40 miles of stunning coastline.
It is a working forest that has prospered for nearly 1,000 years. Many local practices are unique and date from historic times. This includes most significantly the depasturing of the iconic New Forest ponies, as well as cattle, pigs, and donkeys in the open forest by authorised landowners known as Commoners. These agricultural commoning practices are administered by the Verderers.
The New Forest is the second most populated district authority in the southeast, with over 175,000 residents, although the population has decreased since the 2011 census. It is home to an increasingly aging population with 30% of residents over the age of 65 compared to 19% nationally.
The largest settlements are Fordingbridge, Hythe, Lymington, Marchwood, New Milton, Ringwood, and Totton. Approximately 72% of residents live in urban areas, while around 28% of residents live in rural areas.
On average, residents could expect to pay around 11.4 times their annual earnings on purchasing a home in the district (England, 8.26 times).
The average property price is just over £498,000 and around 74% of householders own their homes. Rental prices are high with the average monthly rent £125 higher than that for England.
Although the New Forest ranks highly against other authorities for low levels of income deprivation, 4 of our 114 neighbourhoods appear in the top 20% of most deprived neighbourhoods in England.
21.5% of children are eligible for free school meals (4th highest of Hampshire authorities) however there are known localities within the district where this percentage is significantly higher.
Just over half of our residents of employment age are in full time employment. 30.4% of working people now state they work from home full time and around 2.2% of employment age residents claim unemployment benefit, representing a rise from previous years.
The economic inactivity rate of the district is 14.2% which is lower than the Hampshire average but is driven in part by higher levels of early retirees.
Around 30,100 people who live locally cross district boundaries to go to work with the main working areas being Southampton, Bournemouth, and Test Valley. Approximately 22,500 workers travel inwardly from where they live to their employment within the district.
Marine, hospitality and health and social care occupations make up some of the major industries. Administrative occupations are the most common job type at 13.6%, followed by corporate managers and directors at 12.0%, and customer service occupations make up 10.9%.
The area’s largest employers include ExxonMobil, Garmin, Paultons Park (home of Peppa Pig World), as well as public sector bodies including the NHS and ourselves as the district council.
Data sourced from: 1) ONS statistics, 2011 and 2021 census data, 2) 2011 rural/urban classification using population figures from mid-2022, 3) New Forest District Council Local Plan 2016 – 36, 4) The New Forest Economic Profile (2022).
4. SOURCES OF INFORMATION
4.1 The New Forest Community Safety partnership is made up of the following statutory responsible authorities:
Ø New Forest District Council
Ø Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary
Ø Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service
Ø Probation Service
Ø Hampshire & Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board (NHS)
4.2 In addition, throughout 2024, the responsible authorities have been supported by the following non-statutory members of the Partnership:
Ø Hampshire County Council (Councillor Representative)
Ø Hampshire County Council Children’s Services
Ø Hampshire County Council Youth Justice Service
Ø Hampshire County Council Adult Services
Ø New Forest National Park Authority
5. REVIEW OF THE PARTNERSHIP PLAN 2024/2025
5.1 The Partnership Plan 2024/25 was formally agreed by the partnership on 4th March 2024. It was published on the Safer New Forest website for public viewing following this date.
5.2 The Partnership Plan identified the following priorities:
Ø Shoplifting & Burglary (Business and Community)
Ø Serious Violence Possession of Weapons
Ø Violence Against Women & Girls including Domestic Abuse
5.3 As a collective, partner agencies are responsible for the development of priorities, identifying resources and a strategy for the delivery of the actions throughout the year.
5.4 The Strategy and Delivery Group meet quarterly to review the progress of each priority area and implement additional support, where required.
5.5 This Partnership Action Plan is a living document and may be amended over the course of the year to reflect the ongoing work addressing the priorities.
5.5.1 Shoplifting & Burglary (Business and Community)
The Safer New Forest Partnership recognise the lasting impact shoplifting can have on a business, its staff and the wider community, which nationally has seen an increase. To ensure that the New Forest is a hostile environment for shoplifting offenders, the partnership has committed collective resources for both prevention and detection.
Lymington was identified by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary as an area that would benefit with support for the business community. The approach was to understand experiences and share best practice. The partnership reached out to retailers within Lymington with a view to hosting a crime prevention event. The aims were to explore crime prevention measures, increase network opportunities across the sector and develop information sharing protocols and procedures.
Following this pilot, it is envisaged the partnership will work across the wider retail sector with the aim of providing additional opportunities to share best practice and support for the retail community. The aim throughout the year has been to encourage the retail sector to report incidents of shoplifting to better understand its prevalence by location and trends.
Police data for reported shoplifting incidents has evidenced a rise which is to be expected due to the proactive patrols, media coverage and literature actively encouraging shops to report thefts. Hampshire Constabulary, as part of their commitment to addressing retail crime, have allocated single points of contact (SPOC) to enhance communication, intelligence and confidence from within the sector.
To support the reduction of burglary and enable recovered items to be returned to their owner, NFDC Community Safety team with match funding awarded from the Safer Streets grant, secured 1000 property DNA marker kits. Each kit when used within homes or commercial sector can uniquely identify up to 50 items per household. Property ranging from laptops, mobiles, TV’s, lawnmowers, and power tools can all be uniquely DNA marked. The details are held on a national database and when stolen items are recovered this enables Police to identify and reunite them with their owner. Working in partnership with Hampshire Constabulary, DNA marking kits were provided without cost for vulnerable properties and residents who have been the subject of previous or attempted burglary. This is in recognition that burgled properties are at higher risk of repeated attempts. Where DNA kits are used, this is supported with visible signage for both the dwelling property and street signage advising of DNA marking within the area.
5.5.2 Serious Violence Possession of Weapons
As part of the overall responsibility to addressing crime and disorder, and with Community Safety Partnerships being a specified authority under the Serious Violence duty, a strategic needs assessment and response plan was developed covering relevant offences within the district. When reviewing ‘relevant offences’, the New Forest has a lower profile against much of the 14 Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Safety Partnerships. Whilst not having a serious violence profile, the emphasis of the partnership has been to focus on prevention through early intervention.
Following the introduction of monthly Partnership Action Group Meetings (PAG), hosted and chaired by NFDC Community Safety, this has provided the platform which enables partners to work as a collective, develop intervention and prevention plans with offenders and victims of crime. The PAG also maintains, and risk reviews individuals identified as meeting the Habitual Knife Carrier criteria (HKC). For informed risk management plans, subjects are reviewed as a collective amongst agencies including Police, Probation, Youth Justice Service and District Council. Where HKC subjects reside out of the district area, protocols have been developed to ensure active intelligence and risk management is shared across authorities.
To focus on early intervention, a weapons awareness training session is being hosted by NFDC Community Safety to upskill frontline workers within youth engagement services, Probation, Youth Justice Services and educational settings. The aim is to help identify, engage, and support positive change with knife/weapons carriers.
The three-day course will include:
Ø Laws on carrying knives/weapons
Ø Why do we choose to arm?
Ø Consequences and impact of knife crime both individually, family and community based
Ø Medical implications – body impact
Ø Revenge and reprisals
Ø Keeping safe
Ø How to facilitate group work
Ø How to facilitate 1:1 sessions
5.5.3 Violence Against Women & Girls (VAWG) including Domestic Abuse (DA)
Evidence shows women and girls are disproportionately victims of crime, specifically violent crime: 1 in 4 women will experience domestic abuse and 1 in 5 sexual assault during their lifetime. Violence against women and girls can take many forms, including domestic violence, stalking and ‘honour based’ violence. Over the last decade newly emerging crimes include ‘up skirting’ and ‘revenge porn’ and the expansion of the digital world means these instances are increasing.
The District Council convene and chair the New Forest Domestic Abuse Forum. Through the role of the District’s Community Safety Manager. Partners convene on a quarterly basis with regular and active participation from a diverse range of agencies covering both the adult and children’s sector. Voluntary and statutory services work towards supporting the needs of vulnerable victims and contributing to the reduction of domestic abuse.
Partners seek and support commissioning opportunities where there are gaps in service delivery or unmet needs. Alongside this local approach, Hampshire Domestic Abuse Partnership (HDAP) employ a data analyst who participates in the district forum. As part of the Hampshire Domestic abuse strategy 23-25, a dashboard was created to act as a hub for domestic abuse data to improve data sharing across the partnership and enable wider partners to access data at a single location. Data compiled includes localised information pertinent to the New Forest which aids the district forum.
The New Forest Domestic abuse Forum facilitated LGBTQ+ awareness sessions delivered in February 2024. Learning outcomes provided attendees with an increased awareness of barriers faced by members of the LGBTQ+ community in accessing support. Feedback from participants highlighted the positive outcomes of these sessions which has been adopted by HDAP, forming part of their training calendar.
The objective of the forum is to raise awareness and understanding of domestic abuse on both individuals and communities. Participating in the national White Ribbon Day and 16 Days of Action campaign provides a platform for services and agencies to share and host media streams increasing awareness and access to support.
Recognising harm of VAWG and DA young people and the impact of unhealthy misogynistic views, NFDC Community Safety through the support of specialist and dedicated facilitators from Yellow Door, delivered bespoke educational and awareness sessions in secondary schools and colleges. Working alongside the Headteachers network, additional sessions are to be delivered to ensure as many students access the opportunity to benefit from this resource.
To highlight support available and prevention of Violence Against Women and Girls, a government led campaign entitled ‘Enough’ was created in collaboration with victims and survivors, the violence against women’s sector, academics and victims’ services to help put a stop to the abuse against women and girls. Throughout the year the national Enough campaign has been highlighted by NFDC across partner agencies social media platforms, concentrating on the role of the active bystander. This approach is to highlight and empower those who witness abusive or harmful behaviours to take a stand and call out unacceptable conduct. Information regarding the Enough Campaign were circulated to Town and Parish Councils, GP surgeries and all secondary and sixth form educational establishments within the district to raise awareness and share resources.
NFDC launched its corporate plan 24-28 encompassing 3 priority themes, People, Place and Prosperity. With the council’s commitment of empowering our residents to live healthy, connected and fulfilling lives, it has set out its commitment of investing £300k in the rollout of additional CCTV coverage to include rural areas. The investment will enhance the existing public space CCTV network across the district, to tackle the perception of crime including Violence Against Women and Girls.
The Stop Domestic Abuse service within the New Forest supports women, men and children affected by domestic abuse, including access to refuge. The service provides targeted support to children and young people who live in a home where domestic abuse is a factor.
Figure 2 below shows a comparison of referrals to Stop Domestic Abuse detailed by month.
Stop Domestic Abuse received 821 referrals to adult support services in 2023/2024, compared to 835 of the previous year. Below shows a comparison between years where during the World cup between November and December 2022, there was a clear spike in referrals. It is important to note men’s football is not the cause of domestic abuse but increases due to associated behaviors and activities.
 |
Police are the primary source of referrals making up 73.8% of referrals, self-referrals accounted for 5% of referrals and 4.38% of referrals were received from Children’s Social Care.
Figure 2: Stop Domestic Abuse referrals by month 2022/2023 compared to 2023/2024
Gender
Referrals for
female and male victim-survivors remains consistent with last year with 88% of
those referred for support being female.
Figure 3: Referrals by victim’s gender 2022/2023 compared to 2023/2024
Age
 |
Stop Domestic Abuse provides holistic support for all family members living in an environment where domestic abuse is perpetrated. Referrals by age has remained somewhat level.
Figure 4: Referrals in by victim’s age-range 2022-2023 compared to 2023-2024
Impact of domestic abuse
Of those supported by Stop Domestic Abuse in 2023/2024 the average length of time the victim-survivor had experienced domestic abuse was 7.3 years. Victims of domestic abuse will experience multiple forms of abuse, the table below shows abuse experience of those supported.
|
Emotional |
93% |
|
Coercive control |
80% |
|
Physical |
55% |
|
Economic |
52% |
|
Stalking/harassment |
51% |
|
Sexual |
34% |
28% of those supported experienced strangulation and 13% visited A&E or were hospitalised due to a physical injury caused by their perpetrator. 5% experienced harm to or loss of their unborn child due to domestic abuse.
Domestic abuse has a significant, far reaching impact on victims evidenced by 60% of those supported by Stop Domestic Abuse in 2023-2024 reporting a mental health need at the start of their support journey, with 41.5% reporting feeling depressed and/or suicidal. 40% has a financial support need, 25% reported a physical health need and 8% told us they needed support around substance misuse. 79% required support in relation to housing.
Yellow Door as a charity offers a wide range of therapeutic support and prevention services to anyone at risk or affected by domestic abuse or sexual violence. Offering a range of services including 1:1 and group support for adults, families and children/young people. Supporting people from the New Forest who have experienced an unwanted sexual experience their Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVA) help survivors make informed choices about their next steps, including providing support throughout the criminal justice system should this be an avenue they wish to pursue.
Last year, Yellow Door supported over 130 people from the New Forest through their ISVA service, 30 of which were for children and young people. 264 people from the New Forest were supported through Yellow Door’s therapeutic services; 201 of these were adults and 63 children and young people.
Yellow Door also provide prevention and education workshops to children and young people. In 2023/24, they facilitated 41 education sessions in the New Forest with over 750 young people attending.
6. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
6.1 During 2024 links continued to be developed with partners from within the New Forest District Association of Local Councils (NFALC) and Town and Parish Councils in the area. Representatives from Hampshire Constabulary and Community Safety team, alongside members of NFALC sought the views of local communities to better understand priorities and emerging trends for the partnership to consider and support.
6.2 Town and Parish Councils were invited to complete a survey pertaining to local views on crime and disorder within their communities, focusing in on three key questions around local initiatives, concerns and areas of development:
· What is going well within your Town/Parish area?
· What (if any) are your concerns regarding crime and anti-social behaviour?
· What could improve your area?
6.3 In response to the question ‘What is going well within your Town/Parish?:
· Regular litter picking conducted by parish pickers
· Active community speedwatch team, well supported by local police team
· Regular liaison between policing team and local residents and parish council
· Introduction of monitored CCTV is very welcome
· Provision of youth services as part of partnership working
· Neighbourhood Watch Scheme very well received by residents
· Police surgeries
· Close network of community groups
In response to ‘What (if any) are your concerns regarding crime and anti-social behaviour?’:
· A view there is a lack of reporting from residents and local businesses when incidents occur
· Concern from residents at the perceived lack of attendance by Police when incidents are reported
· Minor issues and occasional vandalism
· Litter is complained about as well as speeding
· Lack of capacity in services, i.e. homelessness and mental health of young people
· Incidents of graffiti in public places
· Noisy motorbikes late at night
· Anti-social behaviour within the town which appears to be driven in part by a relative lack of facilities for more constructive activity
· Continuing public perception that reporting crime is difficult and pointless which may be leading to under reporting
· Perception that shoplifting is an increasing issue
When asked, ‘What could improve your area’:
· Encourage local businesses to report theft or other crimes
· Encourage residents to report crimes
· Inclusion of CCTV at problem locations
· More speed enforcement
· A fully manned police station for residents who are not able to report online and have stated that being able to speak to a Police Officer in person would make them feel safer within the community
· Allocating available financial support to the provision of enhanced recreational resources
6.4 New Forest District Council Community Safety team and the Local Neighbourhood Policing teams, during the course of their work, visit towns and villages across the district. These provide the CSP partners with an opportunity to meet with members of the public and undertake a crime and disorder survey. Whilst also hearing first hand of the concerns from within the community, this also informs and shapes discussions and awareness raising about the work of the partnership to be explored and highlighted.
To ensure the survey response data is comparative year on year, the questions are consistent with previous years.
Figure 5 overleaf shows 99% of residents continue to feel either very satisfied or satisfied within the New Forest reinforcing the overarching message that the New Forest is a safe place to live, work and visit.
Figure 5: Residents satisfaction with living in the New Forest area 2023 compared to 2024
Residents were also asked how safe they feel during the day and at night when out and about in their local area. Responses show when asked the public feel less safe at night, with the people citing that they did not like going out in the dark or there was no reason to go out in the evening or they were ‘too old’ to go out.
Figure 6: Residents feeling of safety during the day and at night when outside in their local area
Figure
7: Residents currently affected by crime/ASB 2024
Figure 8:
Residents currently affected by crime/ASB (2023)
Some residents continue to report that although they do feel safe and are positive about living within their community, the fear being a victim of crime remains. When explored further this identifies fear is not driven from actual experience, but from external influencing factors i.e. social media, news and hearsay.
Areas of concern raised by residents include speeding, littering and a desire to see more of a Police presence patrolling their local area and being available if needed.
The District Council Community Safety team, through a dedicated Road Safety Co-Ordinator, support community led speedwatch groups, co-ordinated by Hampshire Constabulary. This approach increases local resilience, awareness and collaboration with members of the partnership and the communities with a focus of speed reduction through education and awareness. With management of the Council’s speed indicator display function set within the Community Safety department, this ensures localised data informs emerging needs and concerns (see section 9.1).
During the community engagement events, the Community Safety Team offered a bike marking and registering opportunity to help prevent and recover bike theft. Members of the public were invited to bring their bikes along to our events where a team member marked the bike securely and registered the details on the National police approved Bike Register database. During the engagement events 152 bikes have been registered.
Dedicated Neighbourhood Officers (Local Bobbies) Scheme
Local communities have expressed they wish to see police officers and staff dealing with the issues they care about, responding when needed, dealing with those who cause harm in their communities and making it a hostile environment for criminals.
Hampshire Constabulary has assigned named dedicated neigbourhood officers to areas of the New Forest: Totton, Waterside (including Hythe), Ringwood & Fordingbridge, New Milton and Lymington.
This new scheme for 2024 ensured people could have a named officer (also known as their Local Bobby) to contact about safety and crime concerns and opportunities for the community to share information and intelligence easily. They will identify threat, harm and risk to tackle local issues and protect the community. They will investigate local crimes and collect intelligence, working closely with partner agencies to identify the best problem solving approach.
To find out more, and discover who your local bobby is, please visit Hampshire Alert: https://www.hampshirealert.co.uk/
The Safer New Forest website is a combined resource of the partnership providing topical information for members of the public and professionals alike on community safety issues. Whilst hosted by the Council, it is the combined effort of the partnership to utilise the website for sharing of information.
7. NEW FOREST COMPARATIVE CRIME DATA
Crime can be split into numerous categories. The table below shows crime trends by type that were committed within the New Forest from 01/04/2023 to 31/03/2024 in comparison to year 01/04/22 – 31/03/2023.
|
Crime Type |
01/04/2023 – 31/03/2024 |
01/04/2022 – 31/03/2023 |
Variation By incident |
|
VIOLENCE AGAINST THE PERSON |
|
|
|
|
Homicide |
0 |
0 |
- |
|
Violence with injury |
1192 |
1226 |
-34 |
|
Violence without injury |
2954 |
3264 |
-310 |
|
Total |
4146 |
4490 |
-344 |
|
SEXUAL OFFENCES |
|
|
|
|
Rape |
157 |
130 |
+27 |
|
Other Sexual Offences |
274 |
292 |
-18 |
|
Total |
431 |
422 |
+9 |
|
ROBBERY |
|
|
|
|
Robbery of Business Property |
3 |
9 |
-6 |
|
Robbery of Personal Property |
47 |
43 |
+4 |
|
Total |
50 |
52 |
-2 |
|
BURGLARY |
|
|
|
|
Residential |
481 |
755 |
-274 |
|
Business and Community |
216 |
321 |
-105 |
|
Total |
697 |
1076 |
-379 |
|
THEFT OFFENCES |
|
|
|
|
Theft from Vehicle |
682 |
853 |
-171 |
|
Theft from Person |
46 |
37 |
+9 |
|
Bicycle Theft |
136 |
177 |
-41 |
|
Shoplifting |
799 |
627 |
+172 |
|
All other Theft Offences |
911 |
945 |
-34 |
|
Total |
2574 |
2639 |
-65 |
|
CRIMINAL DAMAGE & ARSON OFFENCES |
|
|
|
|
Criminal Damage |
1057 |
1343 |
-286 |
|
Arson |
42 |
59 |
-17 |
|
Total |
1099 |
1402 |
-303 |
|
DRUG OFFENCES |
|
|
|
|
Trafficking of Drugs |
62 |
56 |
+6 |
|
Possession of Drugs |
269 |
280 |
-11 |
|
Total |
331 |
336 |
-5 |
|
Possession of Weapons Offences |
154 |
122 |
+32 |
|
Public Order Offences |
1018 |
1353 |
-335 |
|
Miscellaneous Crimes Against Society |
157 |
191 |
-34 |
This shows an overall reduction of 12% of total recorded crime (12,083 to 10,657).
A breakdown of incidents by type and comparison of crimes year on year at sector level (New Milton, Lymington, Fordingbridge & Ringwood, New Forest Heart, Waterside and Totton) can be found in Appendix B, with further explanation on definitions of crime types in Appendix C.
Table 9 below shows a breakdown of offences which fall under the category of violence without injury:
|
Violence without injury incidents 2954 |
01/04/23 – 31/03/24 |
01/04/22 – 31/03/23 |
Variation from previous year |
|
Abduction of child by other persons |
5 |
3 |
↑ 2 |
|
Abduction of child by parent |
2 |
1 |
↑ 1 |
|
Administering drugs or using instruments to procure abortion |
- |
1 |
↓ 1 |
|
Assault on other emergency service worker: Common assault & battery |
26 |
24 |
↑ 2 |
|
Assault on police: Common assault & battery |
42 |
42 |
No Change |
|
Breach conditions of injunction against harassment |
1 |
|
↑ 1 |
|
Breach of restraining order |
17 |
27 |
↓ 10 |
|
Common assault and battery (no injury or lasting pain) |
1149 |
1382 |
↓ 233 |
|
Cruelty to and neglect of children |
86 |
74 |
↑ 12 |
|
Disclose or threats to disclose private sexual photographs / film with intent to cause distress |
12 |
14 |
↓ 2 |
|
Engage in controlling and coercive behaviour in an intimate family relationship |
49 |
43 |
↑ 6 |
|
False Imprisonment |
6 |
|
↑ 6 |
|
Harassment etc. of a person in their home |
6 |
|
↑ 6 |
|
Harassment (Sec 2) without violence |
3 |
|
↑ 3 |
|
Kidnapping |
3 |
1 |
↑ 2 |
|
Procuring drugs etc to cause abortion |
- |
1 |
↓ 1 |
|
Protection from Harassment Act (Section 2) – Protection from harassment |
770 |
717 |
↑ 53 |
|
Protection from Harassment Act (Section 4) – Putting people in fear of violence |
57 |
45 |
↑ 12 |
|
Pursue course of conduct in breach of Section 1 which amounts to stalking |
187 |
169 |
↑18 |
|
Racially/religiously aggravated common assault or beating |
5 |
4 |
↑ 1 |
|
Racially/religiously aggravated harassment or stalking without violence |
1 |
|
↑ 1 |
|
Racially/religiously aggravated (Section 2) - Protection from harassment, harassment without violence |
11 |
10 |
↑ 1 |
|
Require person to perform forced or compulsory labour |
5 |
4 |
↑ 1 |
|
Resisting or wilfully obstructing a designated or accredited person in the execution of their duty |
1 |
|
↑ 1 |
|
Send communication of an indecent/grossly offensive nature with intent to cause distress or anxiety |
6 |
|
↑ 6 |
|
Send communication threatening death or serious harm |
6 |
|
↑ 6 |
|
Sending letters with intent to cause distress or anxiety |
353 |
602 |
↓ 249 |
|
Stalking involving fear of violence |
10 |
6 |
↑ 4 |
|
Stalking involving serious alarm/distress |
31 |
24 |
↑ 7 |
|
Stalking (Sec 2A) without fear of violence/serious alarm and distress |
3 |
|
↑ 3 |
|
Stalking (Sec 4A) involving fear of violence |
1 |
|
↑ 1 |
|
Stalking (Sec 4A) involving serious alarm and distress |
2 |
|
↑ 2 |
|
Threats to kill |
98 |
70 |
↑ 28 |
|
TOTAL |
2954 |
3264 |
↓ 310 |
Table 9: Violence without injury crimes broken down 01/04/23-31/03/24
|
Crime Type |
01/04/2023 – 31/03/2024 |
Domestic abuse related |
|
Violence with injury |
1192 |
414 |
|
Violence without injury |
2954 |
957 |
|
Rape |
157 |
69 |
|
Other Sexual Offences |
274 |
34 |
|
Robbery of Personal Property |
47 |
1 |
|
Residential Burglary |
481 |
19 |
|
Vehicle Offences |
682 |
12 |
|
Theft from person |
46 |
4 |
|
All other theft offences |
911 |
33 |
|
Criminal Damage |
1057 |
113 |
|
Arson |
42 |
2 |
|
Trafficking of Drugs |
62 |
1 |
|
Possession of Weapons Offences |
154 |
3 |
|
Public Order Offences |
1018 |
50 |
|
Miscellaneous Crimes Against Society |
157 |
9 |
A breakdown of crimes where domestic abuse was a factor is detailed below in table 10. Column 1 shows crime by type with the overall number of recorded incidents relating to that offence in column 2. The number of these recorded offences which were domestic abuse related are highlighted within column 3.
Table 10: domestic abuse crimes 01/04/2023 – 31/03/2024
· Of the 2954 incidents of violence without injury, 32% (957) are classified as domestic abuse incidents (same as previous year).
· 35%, (414 of 1192) violence with injury reports were related to domestic abuse (previously 32%)
Anti-social behaviour (ASB)
ASB is categorised into three main types:
· Personal - incidents whereby the caller, call-handler, or anyone else perceives the behaviour or impact to be deliberately targeted at an individual or group rather than the community at large.
New Forest data for 2023/2024 was 85 offences showing a decrease of 38% from 2022/2023 (138 offences).
· Community - refers to incidents affecting the community, rather than an individual victim. This is when an act, thing or person causes the community trouble, annoyance, inconvenience, or suffering. These incidences can interfere with public interests such as health, wellbeing, safety and quality of life. For example, drug or substance misuse, vehicle-related nuisance, or animal-related problems.
New Forest data for 2023/2024 was 737 offences showing a decrease of 35% from 2022/2023 (1138 offences).
· Environmental - Refers to incidents where individuals or groups impact their wider surroundings. It includes environmental damage and the misuse of public spaces or buildings. For example, criminal damage or vandalism, such as graffiti or damage to bus shelters or littering.
New Forest data for 2023/2024 was 225 offences showing an increase of 23% from 2022/2023 (69 offences).
Anti-social behaviour for the New Forest is recorded under East and West areas based on policing borders, managed by the Area Inspector.
New Forest East – Totton, Hythe, New Forest Heart
New Forest West – Lymington, New Milton, Ringwood and Fordingbridge
|
01/04/2023 – 31/03/2024 |
01/04/2022 - 31/03/2023 |
Variation
|
|
|
New Forest East |
569 |
640 |
- 71 |
|
New Forest West |
478 |
705 |
-227 |
Table 11: Comparison of ASB incidents 2021/23 – 2022/24
Table 11 shows an overall decrease of 22% in reported incidents of ASB compared with that of the previous year 2022/2023.
 |
New Forest continue to see a reduction in reported ASB. Figure 12 below shows a 56% decrease in reported ASB from 01/04/2019 to 31/03/2024 (2400 incidents to 1047 incidents).
Figure 12: New Forest reported data 2019-2024
Police, local authorities and other community safety partner agencies, including Fire & Rescue and social housing landlords, all have a role to play when responding to the effects of anti-social behaviour. The Safer New Forest Partnership recognises that the impact of ASB on individuals and communities can be the most intrusive and upsetting form of behaviour affecting individual’s quality of life. In response and recognition of this, partner agencies come together to problem solve and implement support plans.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary host various platforms for the effective reporting of crime and ASB. Where an individual is in immediate danger, or the offence is in progress, reports should be directed via 999. However, in the event of a non-emergency matter, calls can be routed via the single non-emergency number 101 or online.
https://www.hampshire.police.uk/ro/report/asb/asb/report-antisocial-behaviour/
The communities of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight play a key role in preventing and detecting crime and anti-social behaviour, ensuring Hampshire and the Isle of Wight become safer places to live and work.
Hampshire Alert is a free messaging service that allows Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary, Neighbourhood Watch and other partner organisations keep members of the public informed about issues in their area that are relevant to them.
Once residents have signed up they will receive messages about crime, witness appeals and general policing activity and issues in their local area and what is being done about them. There is also reports about positive police action, good news stories and public appeals.
Registration is at no cost and subscribers are given the option of what they wish to receive alerts about, and how often. These alerts can be received by email, text message and voice message.
To find out more information and sign up, please visit Hampshire Constabulary website:www.hampshire.police.uk/police-forces/hampshire-Constabulary/areas/campaigns/lets-talk/ or, alternatively: Let's Talk Community Survey | Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary
8. Rural Crime – Country Watch
The New Forest as a predominantly rural district brings with it unique challenges to Policing. Country Watch is a dedicated team of rural and wildlife crime expert officers within Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary working to overcome these challenges with the aim of making rural communities safer. The team work closely alongside the local neighbourhood policing teams when responding to rural and wildlife crime in the New Forest area. There are two designated officers and a Police Staff Investigator (PSI) that are specifically allocated to cover the New Forest District, with the ability to call upon additional resources from the wider team.
Rural crime trends at present are as follows:
· Agricultural - covers working farms, farm machinery, farm buildings and smallholdings. Offences include theft of equipment or fuel, damage to property and livestock worrying.
· Equine - covers working stables and equestrian centres and includes offences like tack theft and livestock worrying.
· Wildlife - includes hare coursing, poaching and interfering with protected species.
· Heritage - defined as 'any offence which harms the value of England's heritage assets and their settings to this and future generations' (That can include offences like lead theft from churches, damage to ancient monuments and illegal metal detecting).
Rural crime within the New Forest consists of the following crime types and these continue to be an area that the Country Watch team, as well as local policing, are focusing being the main crimes that have occurred within the New Forest between 1st April 2023 and 31st March 2024. These areas will also be targeted into the forthcoming year with the aim to reduce both commission rates as well as the impact
these offences have on the rural communities of the New Forest district:
· Theft of Farm and Plant Machinery
· Poaching
· Metal Theft
· Equine Crime
The below graph shows the changes in rural crime since April 2021, with recorded rural crime down on the previous year. The ongoing work of Country Watch and local policing is aiming to reduce this into 2024-2025. (Please note FMPV denotes Thefts of farm machinery and plant vehicles).
 |
Figure 13: Rural crime 2021-2024
The Hampshire rural and wildlife crime strategy of 2023-25 is still current and reflects the specific crime trends faced within rural communities as well as the unique impact of these offences. The theft of farming equipment is not isolated to the loss in the value of the machine itself but also results in the loss of income affecting the livelihood and the victim’s emotional wellbeing. Our aim is to reduce rural crime and build confidence in policing within rural communities.
The Rural policing priorities of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary remain as follows and reflects the issues that are faced within the New Forest District.:
· Agricultural & rural business crime - Metal theft, livestock offences, theft of plant and farming machinery
· Game sports and wildlife crime - including hare coursing and fish poaching
· Environmental & heritage crime - including organised criminal gangs involved in fly tipping, damage to heritage sites
· Rural isolation - identifying isolated victims, encourage reporting and provide necessary support
· Tackling criminal networks and organised crime in rural location - targeting those who are working together to cause significant harm in rural locations
· Rural community crime and road safety - including speeding and ASB.
The strategy takes into account the local context and needs of the New Forest. Supporting this approach are national strategies set by The National Wildlife Crime and the National Rural Crime Unit. Country Watch work in partnership with a host of agencies, including the Environment Agency, Historic England, DEFRA, New Forest National Park, National Farmers Union, New Forest District Council, Forestry England.
Technology will enhance the work of Country Watch over the forthcoming year to target and combat rural crime. ANPR (Automatic Numberplate Recognition) cameras are being used in the prevention and detection of crime, alongside Drones and Trail cameras.
Public confidence, trust and collaboration continue to be key to reducing rural crime. By continued engagement and visibility with the public this improves reassurance, which in turn improves the reporting of crime and intelligence, allowing policing to gather an accurate picture of what crime is occurring and where.
Rural and Wildlife Crime Strategy 2023-25 (hampshire.police.uk)
9. ADDITIONAL NEW FOREST DATA
9.1 Road Safety and Community Speedwatch Initiative
New Forest District Council is committed to the reduction of road related incidents through increased driver speed compliance. As a Council, through the role of the Road Safety Co-Ordinator, speed measurements across the district are undertaken where speed is identified as a factor or contributing issue to road incidents. Evidence is gathered through the deployment of fixed terminal displays or speed indicators.
To inform driver awareness and reduce incidents of speeding, the Council utilise three types of devices. These devices are normally deployed for a period not exceeding one week and can be redirected capturing alternative flow of traffic and where required, repeatedly placed at the same location throughout the year.
Speed Limit Reminder (SLR) – This device is a large sign that flashes the speed of the approaching vehicle. This does not collect any data.
Speed Indicator Device (SID) – This unit displays the speed of the approaching vehicle. Data is stored demonstrating the number of vehicles which failed to comply with the designated speed, including date and time of incident. This does not record vehicle index number or vehicle characteristics.
Speed Detection Radar (SDR) – This is a discreet black box that is used to measure and record the speed of vehicles and overall volume of traffic including dates and times. This does not have a visual display advising motorists as the data is to inform on further interventions.
Data obtained from the SIDs and SDRs help inform decision making by Hampshire Highways who have operational responsibility for the setting of speed restrictions and signage on public highways.
Following any incident of a road fatality, where there is a suitable and safe location identified, a Speed Indicator Device may be deployed to identify if speeding is an issue and to support a better understanding of vehicle use and demand.
To ensure devices are suitably deployed, accident statistics are analysed where contributory factors have been identified as:
Ø Exceeding speed limit
Ø Travelling too fast for conditions
Ø Aggressive driving
Ø Careless, reckless or in a hurry.
Other factors for deployments of SIDs are:
Ø Serious reported accidents
Ø Slight reported accidents
Ø Community speedwatch
Ø Requests/areas of concern through collaborative work with Town and Parish Councils.
Ø
|
|
SID |
SLR |
SDR |
|
Target |
46 |
25 |
20 |
|
Programmed |
46 |
25 |
23 |
Deployments during 2023-24:
 |
Figure 14: Three-year comparison of speed deployments across New Forest roads
The NFDC Road Safety Co-Ordinator liaises with and supports the local community in the operation and delivery of community speedwatch events. This joint approach is supported by Hampshire Constabulary with the aim of achieving safer driving across the district. For more information please visit Hampshire Constabulary website:
https://www.hampshire.police.uk/police-forces/hampshire-constabulary/areas/careers/careers/police-support-volunteers/community-speedwatch/ or, alternatively: Community Speedwatch | Hampshire Constabulary[BB1] .
Fly-tipping is the illegal dumping of any waste onto any land or site that does not have a licence to accept the waste. It can be a cause of damage to the environment and pose a danger to public health. Fly-tipping is an offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 with offenders on conviction facing an unlimited fine, a criminal record and a prison sentence.
Fly-tipping involves incidents which can be the disposal of large-scale industrial waste, such as building material or smaller scale incidents involving room or house clearance. In addition, there is a significant amount of ‘green’ fly tipping which can seriously affect the biodiversity of a local area. The cost of clearance and damage to the environment is significant and depending on the location and material being disposed of, result in disruption of access to roads etc.
NFDC have a dedicated team whom under the leadership of an Environmental Enforcement Officer work alongside NFDC waste teams attending and assessing sites of fly tipping. During an inspection, officers retrieve and obtain any evidence from the waste identifying persons responsible for the Environmental Enforcement team to follow up and undertake action where appropriate.
Since 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024, officers issued 672 Fixed Penalty Notices for fly tipping (previous year 368) and 13 for littering offences (6 for previous year).
In addition, NFDC Enforcement Officers undertake proactive visits to businesses to ensure they are compliant with commercial & business waste disposal regulations. This intervention and engagement approach resulted in an additional 97 waste collection arrangements being put in place. Of the 230 visits to businesses, 99 notices were issued to the person responsible to provide details of their business waste collection arrangements with a high rate of compliance. 40 fixed penalties notices were issued for failing to produce those details.
To prevent the illegal carrying and disposal of waste material, 4 joint operations between New Forest District Council, Hampshire Constabulary, National Park Authority, Environment Agency and Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) were undertaken. Through the setting up of a pre-designated stop check zone, a number of services are able to undertake checks for vehicle condition, licence to carry waste and driver documents. This proactive approach resulted in the identification of vehicles found to be illegally carrying waste. Due to failure to provide relevant documentation, 2 vehicles were seized and subsequently disposed of. These positive events provided interventions with drivers of over 190 trucks, vans and other vehicles, raising compliance and road safety awareness.
9.3 New Forest District Council Environmental Health – Safety Advisory Group
Safety Advisory Group members review event plans, including risk management and operational measures and where required, offer advice to ensure high standards of public safety is maintained. Members from a collective view are able to consider the wellbeing of those likely to be affected by such events, persons attending or participating, and residents in the surrounding area.
For the year 1st April 2023 – 31st March 2024, 115 applications were submitted for review and consideration by members of the Safety Advisory Group prior to approval, this is a reduction of 27 applications (19%).
The SAG process is primarily for larger events in terms of expected attendees, events with the potential hazards such as firework displays, and which may impact local people with consideration also being given to the profile of the audience.
9.4 Probation Service
Probation Service is a statutory criminal justice service with the responsibility for supervising individuals (aged over 18) who have been convicted of criminal offences and are the subject of a Community Orders/Suspended Sentence Orders or following a period of imprisonment. Following a period of imprisonment or detention, offenders are usually released on a “licence” that contains both standard and bespoke conditions to mitigate the identified risks. Compliance is required and licensees face a return to prison or resentencing for the remainder of the outstanding period if any of these conditions are breached, or if evidence emerges to suggest that risks are increasing and a further offence could occur.
Within the New Forest, individuals under the management of Probation Service, report to their supervisors at premises in either Lymington or Southampton, with other contacts taking place in the community as required.
Key priorities of Probation as a service are to reduce reoffending and to protect the public through the robust management of Court Orders and licences. Sentence management activity involves the delivery of structured intervention work alongside activities and programmes focussed on rehabilitation, to improve the criminogenic needs of offenders subject to management. The Probation Service work closely with a number of other agencies to manage risks posed by those subject to supervision, and commission a wide range of bespoke services from partnership agencies in order to address areas of need that influence offending behaviour. The South Central Reducing Reoffending Plan 2022-2025 sets out the key objectives and outcomes that HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) in the South Central region intends to deliver to reduce reoffending:
Figure 15: Service user by gender comparison 2021/22, 2022/23 & 2023/24
Figure 15 above shows a slight reduction (9%) overall in service users from the previous year. Female offenders have slightly increased by 5 service users (21%) but male offenders, whilst reducing year on year, remain the dominant gender for offending behaviour.
Figure 16: Service users by age comparison 2021/22, 2022/23 & 2023/24
Figure 16 on page 31 shows there has been an increase in age group 50+ offenders of 20% (from 40 to 48 cases) and decreases in all other age profiles. The most significant decrease in ages 18-25 which shows a 29% decrease (38 cases to 27).
 |
Figure 17: Ethnicity of New Forest Probation service users
Figure 17 above shows the ethnicity of New Forest Probation service users remains predominately White British (81%). 25 service users did not state their ethnicity (12%).
Figure 18: Service User by offence category comparison
Persons subjected to a conviction and under offender management for the period 2023-24 indicate the following reductions:
· Violence against a person ↓20%
· Burglary ↓46%
· Drug Offences ↓23%
· Motoring Offences ↓25%
During the same period there were increases:
· Theft and handling from 7 to 11 offences
· Other indictable offences* from 20 to 30
*An indictable offence is a criminal offence which can be tried by a jury at a Crown Court. These offences are typically more serious than summary offences, which can only be tried by a magistrate at a Magistrates’ Court.Indictable offences include, but are not limited to: murder, manslaughter, rape, robbery, serious assault, burglary, theft, fraud and some drug offences. If an offender is found guilty of an indictable offence, they may be sentenced to imprisonment, a fine or both.
9.5 Hampshire Youth Justice Service
Hampshire Youth Justice Service (HYJS) is a multi-agency team comprising of staff from Children’s Services, Probation, Police, Health and volunteers.
HYJS’s ambition is to see fewer children and young people involved in the criminal justice system. This will reduce the number of potential victims of crime and promote the confidence and safety of our local communities.
We aim to maximise the potential of every child and young person, delivering quality assessments and interventions which will prevent offending and protect the public.
Ø All children and young people have the ability and capacity to change and should be given every opportunity to do so
Ø Effective role modelling of all HYJS staff
Ø The importance of early help and prevention
Ø The value of difference, respect, partnership and participation
Ø Victims should be given the opportunity to have their say and be involved in restorative processes where appropriate
Ø The importance of keeping the public safe and reducing future victim
Figure 19: Gender of young person for first entrant data 2020-2024
Figure 20: Age of young person for first entrant data 2020-2024
|
First Entrant Data - Offences by crime type |
|||
|
|
2021-2022 |
2022-2023 |
2023-2024 |
|
Arson |
2 |
3 |
0 |
|
Criminal damage |
5 |
2 |
0 |
|
Drugs |
4 |
2 |
1 |
|
Fraud & Forgery |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Motoring offences |
2 |
4 |
4 |
|
Non-domestic burglary |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Domestic burglary |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Other |
1 |
2 |
0 |
|
Public order |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
Racially Aggravated |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Robbery |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Sexual offences |
3 |
0 |
0 |
|
Theft and handling |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
Vehicle theft |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Violence against the person |
13 |
13 |
7 |
|
Total |
34 |
27 |
15 |
Figure 21: First time entrant data by offences and gender, 2021/2022, 2022/2023 & 2023-2024
Figure 22: Outcomes by young person
Youth Crime Prevention Teams (YCP)
The Youth Crime Prevention Team work alongside and support young people aged 10-16 identified as being at risk of offending or committing anti-social behaviour. Where a young person has been involved with the police at a low level or is identified as being at risk of offending behaviour, YCP aim to divert them through positive engagement strategy. Engagement with YCP is on a voluntary basis agreed with the family.
9.6 Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service’s performance report for April 2023
to March 2024 identifies how the service through in a number of key areas
performed over the last financial year. 2023/2024 explores local comparisons
made against previous years and also against the Hampshire average, where
relevant and applicable.
Figure 23: New Forest incident summary 2023-2024
Incident Types
The New Forest Group attended 1,261 incidents in 2023/24 with just over half of these, 638, being confirmed as false alarm incidents equating to 51% on all call volume. The second largest incident type was fire incidents with 266, 21%, followed by SSC (Special Service Calls) incidents with 257, (20%), and the smallest incident type was RTCs (Road Traffic Collisions) with 100, (8%).
In comparison, over half of all incidents within Hampshire and Isle of Wight were also false alarms with 9,327 incidents, (53%). This is followed by:
· 3,666 SSC incidents (21%)
· 3,516 fire incidents, (20%)
· 1,053 RTCs, (6%).
Figure 24 below shows consistency between the
New Forest and Hampshire incidents.
Figure 24: Comparison of types of incidents in New Forest compared to Hampshire
Fires
Primary fires are generally more serious fires occurring in one or more of the following locations, buildings, caravans or trailers, vehicles and other methods of transport (not derelict). Outdoor storage, plant, machinery, agricultural, forestry property, other outdoor structures including post boxes, tunnels, bridges, etc.
Secondary fires are generally small fires, which start in, and are confined to, outdoor locations. Typically, they are fires in grass or heathland, involving rubbish, street or railway furniture or in derelict buildings and derelict vehicles.
There were 266 fire related incidents in the New Forest Group in the 2023-24 period, a decrease of 170 incidents compared to the previous year (39%). In 2023-24 there were 153 primary fires and 113 secondary fires.
The table below shows the breakdown of fires by primary and secondary, for the past 5 years. The table also shows the percentage increase or decrease from the previous year (green = decrease, red = increase).
|
Year |
Primary Fires |
% Change |
Secondary Fires |
% Change |
Total Fires |
|
2023-24 |
153 |
-27.8% |
113 |
-49.6% |
266 |
|
2022-23 |
215 |
-3.6% |
224 |
38.3% |
439 |
|
2021-22 |
223 |
25.3% |
162 |
-35.5% |
385 |
|
2020-21 |
178 |
-9.6% |
251 |
11.1% |
429 |
|
2019-20 |
197 |
-7.1% |
226 |
-20.7% |
423 |
Figure 25: Primary and Secondary fires in the New Forest
The table on page 38 shows the total number of fires attended in the new forest group a large decrease in both primary and secondary fires for the year 2023-24 (39%).
Causation Factors of Fires
 |
Accidental fires are the most common cause of fires within the New Forest Group over the last five years, comprising of 53% of the total fires in 2023-24. This was followed by deliberate fires. There has been a substantial decrease in all causes of fires in 2023-24 compared to the same period the previous year.
Figure 26: New Forest causes of fire 2019 - 2024
Figure 27: Cause of fires in the New Forest Group by dwellings and commercial buildings
Figure 27 above shows that a larger proportion of the fires in commercial and dwelling properties are accidental. There are far more fires in dwellings compared to commercial properties; the total number of dwelling fires have decreased by 19% and commercial fires have decreased by 23% this year compared to last year.
The number of outdoor fires decreased significantly in 2023-24 compared to the previous year by 126 incidents (50%). The milder weather, compared to the extreme hotter weather conditions experienced last year has been the main cause of this due to the decreased likelihood of spontaneous combustion in areas of dry grasses and forests and increased human outdoor activity such as BBQs and camping.
Outdoor structure fires have seen the only increase this year from a total of 21 incidents in 2022/23 to 25 incidents this year, 19%. Grass fires have decreased by 71%, 122 incidents, in comparison to last year.
Figure 28: Types of outdoor fires
Grass Fires
The number of grass fires have fluctuated over the last three years. In 2023/24 these have decreased by 71% when compared to the previous year (from 173 to 51 incidents). All three cause types (accidental, deliberate and not known) decreased in 2023/24 when compared to the same period in the previous year. Accidental decreased by 61 incidents (68%) and grass fires where the cause was not known decreased by 36 incidents (75%).
 |
Figure 29: Comparison of grass fires by cause in the New Forest over a three-year comparison period
Out of the 51 grass fires in 2023/24, 29 were started deliberately, 10 were accidental and 12 cause not known. The highest number of grass fires in this financial year occurred in June (14 incidents), May (9 incidents) and July (7 Incidents); Of these three months, 60% (18 incidents) were deliberate, 20% (6 incidents) were recorded as accidental, and 20% (6 incidents) the cause not known.
Grass fires display seasonality, with more occurring in the hotter, drier months; with the extreme heat wave in the summer of 2022 impacting the increase. These incidents also spiked in 2020 where we also experienced higher temperatures, especially in August 2020.
In July 2023 a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) was introduced in restricted areas across the district, prohibiting the use of BBQs or lighting of fires. This follows repeated fire damage to the Forest caused by campfires and BBQs over recent years, and the growing risk of wildfires due to increasingly hotter and drier conditions. The PSPO prohibits the lighting of fires of any type including BBQs and any outdoor cooking facilities or equipment. It also makes it an offence to place, throw or drop items likely to cause a fire such as discarding lit cigarettes. Alongside the order is an engage and educate approach by partners to prevent fires from developing on the open forest which is demonstrating positive outcomes.
Safe and well visits
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue provide safe and well visits to residents of the New Forest. The visits are tailored to an individual’s needs, relating to their health and lifestyle choices.
Free visits are available and offered to the most vulnerable people in our community or for anyone aged over 65. The visits include a custom-made information pack, existing smoke alarms are checked, and new smoke alarms can be installed. Fire retardant bedding, furniture throws, and nightwear can be issued where necessary. Referrals to other services can also be made for extra support. New Forest District Council Housing Services work collaboratively with HIWFRS in identifying and referring residents and tenants to this preventative and supportive service.
Figure 30 shows an overview of Safe & Well visits across the New Forest Group during the past 3 years. The data provided is broken down to fire station areas and shows that there has been an 11% increase in the number of visits carried out over the last financial year.
|
Station Ground |
2021-22 |
2022-23 |
2023-24 |
|
Beaulieu |
8 |
10 |
10 |
|
Brockenhurst |
24 |
32 |
26 |
|
Burley |
17 |
23 |
19 |
|
Fordingbridge |
35 |
46 |
43 |
|
Hardley |
48 |
69 |
128 |
|
Hythe |
51 |
116 |
123 |
|
Lymington |
99 |
174 |
148 |
|
Lyndhurst |
24 |
48 |
45 |
|
New Milton |
126 |
200 |
238 |
|
Ringwood |
58 |
99 |
86 |
|
Totton |
100 |
131 |
200 |
|
Total |
590 |
948 |
1066 |
Figure 30: Safe & well visits carried out in the New Forest group
There has been an increase in Safe and Well visits in 2023-24 compared to the previous year due to the service streamlining the Safe and Well process to an online platform and working closer with partner agencies in identifying and referring individuals. Most Safe and well visits in 2023-24 for the New Forest were partner referrals from adult services and other agencies such as NHS, Southern Health, and the Police. Totton area had the highest number of safe and wells completed for post incidents.
Road Traffic Collisions (RTCs)
Between 2019/20 and 2021/22 RTCs increased each year in the New Forest, significantly so in 2021/22 compared to 2020/21; impacted by the start (March 2020) and end of lockdown and Covid 19 restrictions (March 2021). They then decreased in 2022/23 and remained steady for last year.
There is an increase over the five-year trend, but on average the New Forest Group has 94 RTCs per year. Owing to the serious nature, these incidents have been analysed separately to the other SSC incidents. The majority of all RTC’s over the five years for the New Forest area involve making the scene safe (49%) and the release of persons. (16%)
Figure 31 shows RTC incidents have remained the same in 2023/24 when compared to the previous year. 53% of RTC’s this year involved making the scene safe and 20% involved the extrication or release of persons.
Figure 31: RTCs in the New Forest group between 2019/20, 2020/21, 2021/22, 2022/23 & 2023/2024
Figure 32: RTCs in the New Forest group during 2023/2024 by month
Figure 32 above shows that August, September and November 2023 experienced the highest number of Road Traffic Collison’s (RTC’s) in the New Forest area.
 |
Figure 33: Times of RTCs in the New Forest group during 2023/24.
Figure 33 above shows the highest number of RTC’s in the New Forest occurred between 10:00-11:00. They are also high between 14:00-15:00 hours and 16:00-18:00.
Casualties and Fatalities
The total number of casualties has fluctuated over the last five years in the New Forest; decreasing in 2023/24 aligning with the decrease of incidents.
It is important to note that the split between casualties with slight injuries and those with serious injuries should be considered with caution. This is because the data is taken from the IRS (Incident Recording System), which records severity of the injury at the time the report is written and therefore a slight injury can evolve into serious injuries (or vice versa) after the report has been written this is not reflected in the data in this report.
Figure 34: Casualties within the New Forest between 2019-2024
Figure 34 shows the largest group of rescues are with casualties who were given a first aid/precautionary check.
The number of fatalities has reduced by 1 in 2023-24 compared to the previous year. The number of serious injuries, also, reduced by 100%, slight injuries by 75% and there was a decrease of 33% where first aid was provided, or a precautionary check was recommended by the Service.
There has been a higher number of male casualties over the 5-year period although in the same period 100% of casualties that went to hospital with serious injuries were female.
9.7 Public Space Protection Order
Following concerns raised regarding animal welfare from the feeding and petting of free roaming New Forest animals and the setting of fires, the District Council undertook an extensive public consultation during 2022. On review of its findings, NFDC under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 enacted two Public Space Protection Orders prohibiting:
· PSPO 1 - placing, throwing or dropping items likely to cause a fire; or lighting fires (of any type) or barbeques (including disposable barbeques and any outdoor temporary cooking facilities or equipment).
· PSPO 2 - feeding or providing or depositing food for consumption by any New Forest pony, horse, mule or donkey; or petting or touching any New Forest pony, horse, mule or donkey.
Following induction and training by NFDC Community Safety, Staff from Forestry England, the New Forest National Park Authority and the Verderers of the New Forest were granted delegated authority by the Council to educate visitors and residents and where appropriate, enforce the two new Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) introduced by the Council.
The orders are to protect the forest from damage caused through wildfires and BBQs and for public safety and animal welfare. Failure to comply can result in a fixed penalty notice or prosecution for non-payment.
The ‘3E’ approach of ‘Engage, Educate and Enforce’ is deployed throughout patrols. Since July 2023 to 30th September 2024, there have been a recorded 357 incidents with 1869 people being spoken to and advised of the order and highlighting the New Forest Code.
Interactions are broken down as[BB2] :
|
PSPO 1 |
91 reports
|
|
439 people engaged with
|
|
|
PSPO 2 |
266 reports
|
|
1430 people engaged with
|
|
Day of Week |
PSPO Type |
Number of reports logged |
Number of people involved |
|
Monday |
1 - Fire |
9 |
45 |
|
2 - Pony / Donkey |
55 |
244 |
|
|
Monday Total |
64 |
289 |
|
|
Tuesday |
1 - Fire |
7 |
16 |
|
2 - Pony / Donkey |
29 |
155 |
|
|
Tuesday Total |
36 |
171 |
|
|
Wednesday |
1 - Fire |
13 |
69 |
|
2 - Pony / Donkey |
34 |
208 |
|
|
Wednesday Total |
47 |
277 |
|
|
Thursday |
1 - Fire |
1 |
2 |
|
2 - Pony / Donkey |
22 |
66 |
|
|
Thursday Total |
23 |
68 |
|
|
Friday |
1 - Fire |
5 |
15 |
|
2 - Pony / Donkey |
23 |
89 |
|
|
Friday Total |
28 |
104 |
|
|
Saturday |
1 - Fire |
28 |
141 |
|
2 - Pony / Donkey |
54 |
364 |
|
|
Saturday Total |
82 |
505 |
|
|
Sunday |
1 - Fire |
28 |
151 |
|
2 - Pony / Donkey |
49 |
304 |
|
|
Sunday Total |
77 |
455 |
|
|
Grand Total |
357 |
1869 |
|
Table 35: Number of PSPO interaction recorded by day since implementation
|
PSPO Type |
Month |
Number of reports logged |
Number of people involved |
|
1 - Fire |
Jun 2023* |
1 |
10 |
|
Jul 2023 |
5 |
18 |
|
|
Aug 2023 |
19 |
81 |
|
|
Sep 2023 |
8 |
28 |
|
|
Oct 2023 |
2 |
12 |
|
|
Nov 2023 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
Dec 2023 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
Jan 2024 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
Feb 2024 |
3 |
7 |
|
|
Mar 2024 |
2 |
3 |
|
|
Apr 2024 |
5 |
11 |
|
|
May 2024 |
13 |
50 |
|
|
Jun 2024 |
11 |
55 |
|
|
Jul 2024 |
11 |
88 |
|
|
Aug 2024 |
10 |
71 |
|
|
Sep 2024 |
1 |
5 |
|
|
1 - Fire Total |
91 |
439 |
|
|
2 - Pony / Donkey |
Jul 2023 |
15 |
103 |
|
Aug 2023 |
70 |
330 |
|
|
Sep 2023 |
40 |
137 |
|
|
Oct 2023 |
6 |
32 |
|
|
Nov 2023 |
7 |
16 |
|
|
Dec 2023 |
3 |
10 |
|
|
Jan 2023 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
Feb 2024 |
8 |
46 |
|
|
Mar 2024 |
18 |
120 |
|
|
Apr 2024 |
19 |
69 |
|
|
May 2024 |
25 |
178 |
|
|
Jun 2024 |
8 |
66 |
|
|
Jul 2024 |
18 |
155 |
|
|
Aug 2024 |
26 |
183 |
|
|
Sept 2024 |
3 |
20 |
|
|
2 - Pony / Donkey Total |
266 |
1430 |
|
|
Grand Total |
357 |
1869 |
|
Table 36: Number of PSPO interaction recorded by month since implementation
*Both PSPOs were implemented on 1st July 2023 however data was captured for June 2023 for PSPO1 which we have included in the overall stats.
The tracking of the location of incidents has identified the following locations for hotspots of PSPO breaches:
· Bolton's Bench - 36 reports (35 pony related and 1 fire)
· New Forest Reptile Centre - 23 reports (23 pony related)
· Outside Brockenhurst College - 18 reports (18 pony related)
· Hatchet Pond - 12 reports (11 pony related and 1 fire)
· Whitefield Moor - 12 reports (5 pony related and 7 fire)
· Janesmoor Pond - 4 reports (2 pony related and 2 fire)
· Wilverley Plain - 4 reports (2 pony related and 2 fire)
These sites are already well patrolled and targeted by rangers and they will continue to have a presence at these locations.
The two PSPO’s have supported the wider partnership in protecting the environment and animal welfare with a reduction in the number of reported wildfire and pony petting/feeding incidents, with only one fixed penalty notice being issued to date.
To increase public awareness and compliance of the orders, signage was created and erected in areas covered by the orders. Information leaflets were also developed for public dissemination and to help inform engagement opportunities with the public. Further work is continuing with partners including the hospitality sector to increase awareness of the PSPO’s with a view to reducing fires and injuries to and from animals.
10. POLICE & CRIME COMMISSIONER PRIORITIES
The Hampshire Police Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, was re-elected in May 2024 to serve a second term and is responsible for the totality of policing across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and is the voice of the people.
Key duties of the role are to:
- Secure an efficient and effective local police force
- Appoint the Chief Constable, hold them to account for running the force, and if necessary dismiss them
- Set the police and crime objectives through a Police and Crime plan
- Set the force budget and determine the precept
- Contribute to the national and international policing capabilities set out by the Home Secretary
- Bring together community safety and criminal justice partners.
-
The PCC has published her Police and Crime Plan ‘More Police, Safer Streets 2’ which sets out the strategic direction and priorities for policing across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, including the New Forest district, for 2024-28.
The Crime Plan features six priorities for policing:
· Police visibility and engagement
· Business and retail crime
· Crime in rural areas
· Road safety
· Serious violence
· Anti-social behaviour
For details of the full plan please click on the attached link: Police-and-Crime-Plan-2024-Online.pdf
