Verwood Crime Rate April 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Verwood’s crime rate in April 2023 stood at 4.8 per 1,000 residents — 36% below the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000. This places the area firmly in the safer end of the national spectrum. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 37.3% of all crimes (25 incidents), followed by anti-social behaviour (21 cases, 31.3% of total). These figures suggest that interpersonal conflicts and community disruptions remain prominent concerns, even as the area benefits from its overall low crime profile. The UK comparison highlights Verwood’s success in maintaining a crime rate significantly lower than the national average, a trend consistent with its character as a relatively tranquil built-up area within Dorset. Seasonal factors in April — including the Easter period and spring weather — may have influenced patterns, with increased outdoor activity potentially contributing to higher reported violence and sexual offences. However, the data also shows that certain categories, such as public order offences, declined sharply (42.9% drop), reflecting temporary changes in community behaviour. The balance between property crimes (17 incidents) and violent crimes (25) indicates a mix of challenges, though property-related offences remained below the UK average for categories like vehicle crime (0.2 per 1,000 vs. UK’s 0.5). This nuanced picture underscores the need for targeted local strategies, as the area’s safety is not uniform across all crime types. The relatively low rates of theft from the person and burglary may reflect Verwood’s quieter, less densely populated character compared to major urban centres, where such crimes are more common. Overall, the data illustrates a community that, while not immune to crime, has managed to keep its rates well below national benchmarks, a trend that may be reinforced by its rural-adjacent setting and seasonal rhythms.

April 2023 saw a 31.6% increase in violence and sexual offences, rising from 19 to 25 incidents — a sharp upward shift that outpaced other categories. Other theft and vehicle crime both rose by 50% (2 to 3), possibly linked to seasonal travel patterns or increased outdoor activity. Conversely, public order offences dropped by 42.9% (7 to 4), suggesting a temporary decline in disruptive behaviour. Anti-social behaviour remained the second most common crime (31.3% of total), though its rate (1.5 per 1,000) was 27% above the UK average of 1.2 per 1,000. These shifts illustrate a mixed picture: while violent crime rose, public order issues declined, and property-related crimes showed modest increases. Residents may want to note the spike in vehicle crime, which could relate to holiday-related traffic or parking patterns.

Verwood’s crime rate in April 2023 (4.8 per 1,000) rose by 3.3% compared to the previous month’s 4.6 per 1,000, reflecting a slight upward trend. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly two crimes per day during the month, a figure that aligns with its relatively low overall crime profile. When scaled to the population of 14,117, the monthly exposure translates to one reported crime for every 211 residents — a statistic that underscores the area’s comparative safety. This monthly aggregate does not account for fluctuations in daily activity, but it provides residents with a clear sense of risk relative to their community size. The local context also suggests that seasonal factors, such as Easter-related travel and increased foot traffic, may have contributed to the slight increase from the data alone.