Verwood Crime Rate April 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Verwood's crime rate in April 2024 remained significantly below the UK average, recording 3.3 crimes per 1,000 residents—57.1% lower than the national figure of 7.7 per 1,000. This consistent performance reflects the area's long-standing position as a relatively safe built-up area within Dorset. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 37% of all reported incidents. This was followed by anti-social behaviour (21.7%) and criminal damage and arson (13.0%), highlighting a pattern where interpersonal disputes and property-related issues dominate the local crime picture. Seasonal factors, such as the Easter holiday period and the transition into spring, may have influenced these patterns. The relatively mild weather and increased outdoor activity during April could have contributed to the rise in public order offences, though the overall trend remains stable compared to previous months. The area's low crime rate is also consistent with its character as a smaller, closely-knit community where local policing and community engagement likely play a role in maintaining safety. While violent crime remains the most common category, the absence of significant spikes in property crime—such as burglary or vehicle crime—suggests that the area's infrastructure and community vigilance may be effective in deterring such incidents. The UK-wide comparison further underscores Verwood's position as an outlier in terms of safety, with most crime categories falling well below national averages. This includes a 53% reduction in violence and sexual offences compared to the UK average, and a 64% reduction in other thefts. These figures illustrate a community where crime is not only infrequent but also lower than in many other parts of the country.

April 2024 saw a 100% increase in possession of weapons, rising from zero to one reported incident. This spike, though small in absolute terms, signals a potential shift in local dynamics that warrants monitoring. Concurrently, criminal damage and arson doubled from three to six cases, and public order offences also doubled, suggesting a possible correlation with seasonal events or increased outdoor activity during spring. In contrast, other thefts dropped by 66.7%, from nine to three, and burglary fell by 50%, from two to one, indicating a reduction in property-related crimes. These fluctuations highlight the need for targeted interventions in areas such as anti-social behaviour and public order, which remain 43% and 57% below UK averages respectively. The overall crime mix in Verwood shows a stronger emphasis on violent crime compared to property crime, with violence and sexual offences making up 37% of all reported incidents. This mix differs from the national average, where property crime typically holds a larger share.

Verwood's crime rate in April 2024 stood at 3.3 per 1,000 residents, a 7.9% decrease from March's 3.5 per 1,000. This places the area well below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000, with a 57.1% gap. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately two crimes per day, reflecting a low but consistent level of activity. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 307 residents, a figure that contextualises the risk as relatively minor compared to national trends. With a population of 14,117, the area's crime statistics suggest a community where crime is not a daily concern but remains a topic of local awareness. The slight decline from March may be attributed to seasonal factors, such as the Easter holiday period, which can temporarily reduce certain types of crime. However, the overall stability in crime rates indicates that Verwood's safety profile has remained consistent with its historical trend of being a low-crime area.