Poole Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Poole’s crime rate in January 2026 stood at 5.5 per 1,000 residents, marking a 19.1% reduction compared to the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. This performance places the area firmly in the safer half of the UK’s built-up regions. The most significant contributors to the crime total were violence and sexual offences (36.1% of all crimes), followed by anti-social behaviour (17.6%) and criminal damage and arson (9.2%). These patterns align with Poole’s coastal identity, where seasonal factors like reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours may dampen opportunities for theft and public order offences. The sharp decline in vehicle crime, which fell to 0.3 per 1,000 (19% below the UK average), could reflect lower traffic volumes during January or improved parking security measures. Meanwhile, the dominance of violent crime over property crime (violence at 286 incidents vs property crimes at 306) suggests a combination of local demographics and environmental factors. The post-holiday period likely contributed to reduced retail-related crimes, though the 12% drop in shoplifting (now 0.5 per 1,000) may also indicate effective policing in high-footfall areas. Poole’s crime profile, while not without challenges, illustrates a generally stable environment where targeted efforts to address drug-related offences and burglary could further improve safety outcomes.

January 2026 saw notable declines in vehicle crime (-31.0%) and robbery (-57.1%), reflecting potential seasonal trends linked to reduced outdoor activity and post-holiday retail quietude. Conversely, drug-related offences surged by 66.7%, a sharp increase that may indicate shifts in local drug markets or unmet policing needs. Burglary also rose sharply by 66.7%, potentially tied to increased home occupancy during colder months or vulnerabilities in specific neighbourhoods. The breakdown reveals violence and sexual offences (36.1% of total crimes) remain the most prevalent category, though they are 20% below the UK average. Public order offences, meanwhile, were 52% below the UK rate, consistent with Poole’s coastal character where tourism management likely mitigates disorder. Residents may find the 12% reduction in shoplifting (now 0.5 per 1,000) a positive sign, though the 100% increase in bicycle theft compared to the UK average raises questions about local cycling infrastructure security.

Poole’s crime rate in January 2026 remained stable at 5.5 per 1,000 residents, a 0.4% increase from the previous month’s 5.4 per 1,000. This minimal fluctuation suggests consistent policing and community efforts have maintained a steady baseline. Daily crime statistics show 26 crimes reported each day on average, a figure that, while notable, remains lower than many comparable urban areas. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 183 residents, a monthly exposure rate that highlights the relative safety of the area compared to UK averages. When scaled to Poole’s population of 145,099, this means fewer residents are directly affected by crime than the national average, though localized spikes in specific categories like burglary and drug-related offences suggest targeted interventions may be needed. The population context also means that, despite the 26 daily crimes, the overall impact on any individual resident remains low, reinforcing the area’s position as a safer-than-average built-up region.