Verwood Crime Rate August 2025 | Monthly Statistics

In August 2025, Verwood's crime profile showed a striking equilibrium between property and violent crimes, with 12 incidents in each category. This balance, unusual for a small built-up area, may reflect seasonal dynamics and local community patterns. The overall crime rate of 2.9 per 1,000 residents places Verwood 64.2% below the UK average of 8.1, a gap that suggests strong community resilience or effective local policing. Anti-social behaviour dominated the crime mix, accounting for 36.6% of all incidents, followed by violence and sexual offences at 29.3%. These figures align with Verwood's character as a low-density residential area with limited commercial activity, where social interactions often occur in informal settings. The seasonal context of August—peak holiday season—typically raises concerns about empty homes and increased foot traffic, yet burglary rates remained low at 0.2 per 1,000. This may indicate that Verwood's housing stock is well-maintained or that community vigilance deters opportunistic crime. The low incidence of shoplifting (0.1 per 1,000) contrasts with the UK average of 0.6, reflecting Verwood's lack of large retail hubs. However, the 43% above UK average for bicycle theft (0.1 per 1,000) could hint at local cycling infrastructure or student populations, though data on demographics is not provided. Overall, Verwood's crime profile remains remarkably stable, with no single category dominating the statistics.

August 2025 saw a dramatic 200% increase in criminal damage and arson, rising from 1 to 3 incidents. This surge, while small in absolute terms, may signal targeted vandalism during the summer months when public spaces are more frequented. Concurrently, violent crimes fell by 50% compared to July, with reported incidents dropping from 24 to 12. This decrease could reflect seasonal patterns, as August is typically a quieter month for violent crime in areas with strong community ties. Public order offences also declined by 60%, aligning with lower foot traffic during school holidays. Verwood's anti-social behaviour rate of 1.1 per 1,000 is 25% below the UK average of 1.5, suggesting effective local measures to manage community tensions. The area's violent crime rate of 0.9 per 1,000 is 69% below the UK average of 2.9, a disparity that may stem from Verwood's lower population density and fewer nightlife venues compared to urban centres. Residents might find the 84% reduction in shoplifting compared to the UK average particularly reassuring, though the 43% above UK average for bicycle theft warrants attention—especially as August is a common month for cycling events in nearby areas.

Verwood's crime rate in August 2025 (2.9 per 1,000) marked a 32.9% decrease from July's rate of 4.3, indicating a sustained trend of declining crime. This reduction places the area's monthly exposure at 1 crime per 344 residents, a figure that translates to a relatively low risk for individuals living in Verwood. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 1 crime per day in August, a rate that remains consistent with historical patterns for a small built-up area. When scaled to population, the 2.9 per 1,000 rate suggests that Verwood's residents are 64.2% less likely to be victims of crime compared to the UK average, a gap that may reflect the area's limited commercial activity and strong community cohesion. The 1-in-344 monthly exposure figure is particularly meaningful for residents, as it provides a tangible sense of the likelihood of encountering crime in daily life. This low rate is further underscored by the 66% below UK average for criminal damage and arson, despite the 200% month-on-month increase in this category. The comparison highlights Verwood's ability to maintain safety even during peak holiday periods, though the rise in vandalism may warrant localized attention. Overall, the data reinforces Verwood's position as a low-crime area, with its population size and geographical context likely contributing to its favourable crime statistics.