Verwood Crime Rate July 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Anti-social behaviour dominated Verwood's crime profile in July 2024, accounting for 32.3% of all reported incidents. This category, which includes noise disputes and public order disturbances, rose sharply from 10 to 20 cases — a 100% increase from June — likely influenced by the area's summer festivals and prolonged school holidays. Vehicle crime, though less frequent than anti-social behaviour, surged by 450% to 11 incidents, suggesting a potential spike in opportunistic thefts linked to increased car usage during the tourist season. The overall crime rate of 4.4 per 1,000 residents, 47.6% below the UK average, underscores Verwood's relatively safe character despite these fluctuations. Seasonal factors appear to play a significant role, with the absence of students and the influx of visitors likely contributing to the rise in anti-social behaviour. Meanwhile, violent crime remained low, with 10 incidents recorded — 75% below the UK average. This suggests that the area's built-up nature within a rural county may help mitigate more severe offences. The breakdown also highlights that property-related crimes, including vehicle crime and other theft, accounted for 58% of all incidents, pointing to a focus on low-value assets rather than personal violence. These patterns align with Verwood's status as a commuter town with limited nightlife and a strong emphasis on community cohesion, factors that may contribute to the area's generally low crime levels.

July 2024 saw dramatic month-on-month increases in certain crime categories, with other theft rising by 500% and vehicle crime surging by 450%. These jumps, from single-digit figures to six and 11 incidents respectively, suggest a sudden shift in criminal activity. Anti-social behaviour also doubled, reaching 20 incidents, which may be influenced by the area's summer festivals and prolonged school holidays. Conversely, violent crime fell by 33.3%, declining from 15 to 10 incidents. This drop contrasts sharply with the UK average for violence and sexual offences, which stands at 2.9 per 1,000 — 75% higher than Verwood's rate. Vehicle crime, now at 0.8 per 1,000, is 74% above the UK average, indicating a local vulnerability that warrants attention. Residents may find the 500% rise in other theft particularly noteworthy, as it suggests a potential shift in criminal focus during the summer months.

Verwood's crime rate in July 2024 rose to 4.4 per 1,000 residents, marking a 55.1% increase from the previous month's rate of 2.8 per 1,000. This shift, while significant, remains well below the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately two reported crimes each day in July, reflecting a consistent low-level pattern of incidents. Over the course of the month, one crime was reported for every 228 residents, a figure that contextualises the scale of activity relative to the local population. This monthly exposure is lower than many urban centres, aligning with Verwood's character as a smaller built-up area within Dorset. The population context further highlights that, despite the rise from June, the overall burden of crime remains proportionally light compared to national benchmarks. Residents may find reassurance in these figures, which suggest that routine activities in the area are unlikely to be frequently disrupted by criminal activity.