Poole Crime Rate April 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 145,099, Poole recorded 979 crimes in April 2023—a rate of 6.8 per 1,000 residents, placing it 9.3% below the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000. This figure translates to one reported crime for every 148 residents during the month, a level that suggests a relatively stable crime environment for a coastal built-up area. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (335 cases, 34.2% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (227 cases, 23.2%). These patterns may reflect Poole's dual character as a seaside resort and commuter town, where public spaces and transient populations can influence crime dynamics. The rate of violence and sexual offences was 12% below the UK average (2.3 vs 2.6 per 1,000), while anti-social behaviour was 36% higher (1.6 vs 1.2 per 1,000). Seasonal factors likely played a role: April's Easter period and spring weather may have increased outdoor activity, contributing to higher anti-social behaviour but reducing retail-related crimes. Meanwhile, public order offences (6.5% of total) were 38% below the UK average, due to targeted policing efforts or the temporary nature of seasonal events. The balance between property and violent crime also shifted, with property crimes (336) accounting for 34.3% of total incidents and violent crimes (335) making up 34.2%—a near-equal split that may reflect Poole's mix of residential and commercial areas.

April 2023 saw a 133.3% surge in robbery cases, rising from 3 to 7 incidents. This sharp increase, while small in absolute terms, may signal heightened vulnerability in specific locations such as transport hubs or late-night retail areas. Conversely, shoplifting fell by 29.5%, declining from 95 to 67 cases—possibly reflecting seasonal shifts as Easter holidays reduced foot traffic in commercial zones. Anti-social behaviour remained elevated, 36% above the UK average, with 227 incidents recorded. This figure may be influenced by Poole's coastal character, where public spaces and seasonal events could contribute to higher levels of disruptive activity. Meanwhile, burglary dropped 28.1% from 57 to 41 cases, a trend consistent with improved security measures or temporary changes in property occupancy patterns during the Easter period.

Poole's crime rate in April 2023 stood at 6.8 per 1,000 residents, a 10.1% decrease from the previous month's 7.5 per 1,000. This drop aligns with typical spring patterns in coastal towns, where seasonal transitions may reduce certain types of crime. Over the course of April, 33 crimes were reported daily on average, reflecting a steady but manageable level of activity for a built-up area. When scaled to the population, this translates to one reported crime for every 148 residents over the month—a figure that places Poole firmly within the lower end of UK crime exposure metrics. The reduction from March may partly reflect the Easter holiday period, which often sees temporary decreases in public order offences and retail-related crimes as foot traffic shifts. However, the daily crime count remains a useful benchmark for residents, offering a tangible sense of local risk levels compared to the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000.