Poole Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Poole’s crime rate in January 2026 stood at 5.5 per 1,000 residents, marking a 16.7% reduction compared to the UK average of 6.6 per 1,000. This consistent performance underscores the area’s relatively low crime profile, a factor likely influenced by its coastal setting and community-oriented infrastructure. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 36.1% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (17.6%) and criminal damage and arson (9.2%). These figures align with the seasonal context of January, a post-holiday month characterised by reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours, which may contribute to lower rates of shoplifting and public order offences. However, the presence of violence and sexual offences at a level 18% below the UK average suggests effective local interventions or demographic factors, such as the area’s mix of residential and tourist-focused zones. The breakdown also reveals that public order offences were 51% below the UK average, a statistic that may reflect Poole’s well-managed public spaces and community engagement efforts. While the overall rate remained stable, the mix of crime types highlights the need for targeted strategies to address rising burglary and drug-related incidents, which increased by 66.7% each. These shifts, though statistically significant, remain within the broader context of Poole’s comparative safety profile, a trend that merits continued monitoring.

January 2026 saw notable decreases in certain crime categories, including a 57.1% drop in robbery cases, reducing from seven to three incidents. Vehicle crime also declined by 31.0%, falling from 71 to 49, a shift consistent with post-holiday patterns and reduced retail activity. Conversely, burglary increased by 66.7%, rising from 24 to 40 incidents, a trend that may reflect seasonal dynamics or unmet demand in the property market. Drug-related offences rose by 66.7%, from 12 to 20, though this remains significantly below the UK average of 0.3 per 1,000. Violence and sexual offences—accounting for 36.1% of all crimes—were 18% below the UK average, a figure that may be influenced by Poole’s coastal character and community-focused policing initiatives.

Poole's crime rate in January 2026 remained stable compared to December 2025, with a 0.4% increase from 5.4 to 5.5 per 1,000 residents. This consistency suggests no major shifts in underlying patterns, though seasonal factors likely play a role. On a daily basis, the area saw an average of 26 crimes reported each day, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents for local residents. Over the course of the month, one crime was reported for every 183 residents, illustrating the relatively low frequency of incidents compared to the UK average. When scaled to Poole’s population of 145,099, this monthly exposure highlights that the majority of residents are not directly affected by crime. The stability in the overall rate contrasts with the UK average, which remains 16.7% higher, reinforcing Poole’s position as a relatively safer built-up area within the region.