Ashley Heath Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

For every 467 residents in Ashley Heath, one crime was reported in February 2026, translating to a crime rate of 2.1 per 1,000 people. This figure is 67.2% below the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000, reflecting a significantly safer environment compared to the national profile. The area's built-up character within Dorset likely contributes to this disparity, with lower population density and fewer high-traffic zones reducing opportunities for crime. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 35.3% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (17.7%) and vehicle crime (17.7%). These figures contrast with the UK average, where violence and sexual offences make up 2.3 per 1,000 (35% of total UK crimes). The winter season, with reduced outdoor activity and pre-spring lull, may partly explain the lower crime rates, as fewer people are present in public spaces to deter or become victims of crime. Vehicle crime, however, stands out as 14% above the UK average, suggesting local factors such as parking patterns or vehicle storage practices may create specific vulnerabilities. The low overall rate underscores the area's relative safety, though targeted efforts to address vehicle-related incidents could further reduce risks for residents.

February 2026 saw a 100% increase in shoplifting, with one incident reported compared to none in January. This spike, though small in absolute terms, highlights shifting patterns in retail crime, potentially linked to post-holiday inventory checks or seasonal shopping trends. Other theft fell sharply by 83.3%, from six to one incident, indicating a possible reduction in opportunistic crimes during the winter lull. Anti-social behaviour also decreased by 62.5%, from eight to three incidents, which may reflect reduced social gatherings in colder weather. Vehicle crime in Ashley Heath was 14% above the UK average (0.4 vs 0.3 per 1,000), suggesting local vulnerabilities such as car parks near residential areas or limited CCTV coverage. This contrast with the UK average for violence and sexual offences (66% below) illustrates how specific crime types can diverge from national trends. Residents might find the 17 total crimes over 28 days (roughly one per day) a useful benchmark for understanding local risk levels, though the overall safety profile remains markedly better than the national average.

The crime rate in Ashley Heath fell by 48.6% from 4.2 per 1,000 in January to 2.1 per 1,000 in February 2026, marking a substantial improvement in safety. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 467 residents, a figure that contextualises risk in terms of daily life: a resident has a 1-in-467 chance of being directly affected by crime during February. This monthly exposure rate is significantly lower than the UK average, which would translate to a much higher frequency of incidents in a comparable population. The daily crime count of one per day (17 crimes over 28 days) provides a tangible reference point for residents, showing that most days pass without any reported incidents. When compared to the previous month, the 48.6% reduction suggests effective policing or seasonal factors reducing opportunities for crime. The built-up area's characteristics—likely including smaller residential clusters and limited commercial zones—may further contribute to this lower exposure compared to more densely populated UK regions. These statistics reinforce Ashley Heath's position as a relatively safe place to live, though continued monitoring of vehicle crime trends will be important to maintain this safety record.