Ferndown Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Ferndown's December 2025 crime rate of 2.5 per 1,000 residents stands out as an outlier compared to the UK average of 7.0 per 1,000, marking a 64.3% deficit. This stark contrast underscores the area's consistently low crime profile, a feature that persists despite the month's typical seasonal factors. The breakdown reveals anti-social behaviour as the most prevalent category, accounting for 28.2% of reported incidents, followed by violence and sexual offences (23.1%) and shoplifting (12.8%). These figures align with Ferndown's character as a built-up area within Dorset, where community cohesion and local amenities may contribute to the limited opportunities for crime. The seasonal context of December—marked by Christmas shopping, dark evenings, and empty homes over holidays—likely influences the crime mix, though the overall rate remains far below national averages. Anti-social behaviour's dominance, at 0.7 per 1,000, is 25% below the UK average, suggesting a community where such incidents, while present, are less frequent. Similarly, violence and sexual offences, at 0.6 per 1,000, are 77% below the UK average, reflecting a broader pattern of low violent crime. The low shoplifting rate (0.3 per 1,000) further indicates that retail spaces, though active during the festive period, may not be prime targets for theft. This combination of factors—seasonal dynamics, community structure, and local demographics—illustrates a town where crime remains a rare occurrence, even during the busiest and most challenging time of the year.

December 2025 saw three crime types surge by 100% compared to November: vehicle crime, drugs, and other theft. This includes a notable jump in vehicle crime, which rose from zero to two incidents, suggesting potential changes in parking patterns or increased theft opportunities during the festive season. Conversely, criminal damage and arson dropped by two-thirds, possibly linked to reduced vandalism during the holiday period when public spaces are less occupied. The area's violent crime rate remains 77% below the UK average, with 9 incidents reported—equivalent to 0.6 per 1,000 residents. This stark contrast to national trends underscores Ferndown's unique profile as a low-violence locality. Anti-social behaviour, the most common crime type, is also 25% below the UK average, indicating a community where such incidents, though present, are less frequent than in other parts of the country. These shifts highlight the combination of seasonal dynamics and local conditions, with December's festive atmosphere potentially influencing both increases and decreases in specific crime categories.

Ferndown's crime rate in December 2025 rose 14.4% compared to November's 2.2 per 1,000, reaching 2.5 per 1,000. This increase, though modest, contrasts with the area's consistent position far below the UK average. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 393 residents, a figure that contextualises the low frequency of incidents within Ferndown's population of 15,332. Daily, the area experienced roughly one crime per day, a rate that aligns with the broader trend of sparse criminal activity in this built-up area. The monthly exposure statistic offers a tangible measure of risk: for every 393 residents, one crime was reported. This reflects Ferndown's character as a relatively quiet, low-crime community, where the presence of local amenities and residential density may contribute to the limited opportunities for crime. The 14.4% increase from November, while notable, remains within the bounds of normal seasonal fluctuations, particularly in a month marked by festive activity and reduced foot traffic in some areas.