Wool Crime Rate

Wool is a quiet and secure village in Dorset, currently holding a high safety score of 86/100, which is comfortably above the UK average of 79/100. The overall crime rate in Wool is 63.5 per 1,000 residents, significantly lower than the national average of 91.7. This data highlights Wool as a safe residential community with a much lower frequency of criminal activity than is typically found across the UK. The recent trend direction is stable, with only a minor 3.9% increase in total crime year-over-year, suggesting that the area remains a consistent and safe environment for its population. For those living in or moving to Wool, these figures provide strong reassurance of the village's security and its standing as a low-crime area within the region.

Crime in Wool is dominated by three specific categories: anti-social behaviour, violence and sexual offences, and public order offences. Anti-social behaviour is the most frequent issue, accounting for 41.1% of all reports with 141 incidents. This is followed by violence and sexual offences at 34.1% and public order offences at 7.9%. Combined, these three types make up the vast majority of police activity in the area, suggesting that community-level disruption and personal safety are the primary concerns for local residents.

Property crime in Wool—which includes burglary, theft, vehicle crime, criminal damage, and arson—is notably low, with a rate of 10.0 per 1,000 people. This is significantly lower than the UK average property crime rate of 32.3, indicating that Wool is a very secure place for homeowners and vehicle owners. Burglary and vehicle crime each account for only 1.8% of total crime, with just 6 incidents reported for each over the year. For residents, this data confirms that while anti-social behaviour may be visible in the community, the actual risk of serious property theft or home intrusion remains exceptionally low compared to national standards. maintaining good relations with neighbours and reporting nuisance behaviour can help address the more common issues.

Crime trends in Wool are currently stable, showing a very modest 3.9% increase in total incidents year-over-year. This indicates that the village maintains a consistent level of safety without significant surges in criminal activity. Monthly data from late 2024 through 2025 shows that for most of the year, the crime rate per 1,000 residents remained low, typically between 2.4 and 6.9. However, there was a notable spike in July 2025, where the rate reached 15.4. This unusual increase was temporary, with rates returning to more typical levels in the following months, such as 3.9 in August and 4.6 in September. Such spikes are often isolated incidents or short-term trends that do not reflect the long-term character of the area. Overall, the stability of the annual data provides a reliable picture of Wool as a safe and secure community where crime remains well-managed and infrequent. For residents, this predictability is a key component of the area's high quality of life.

How To Keep Safe in Wool

Anti-social behaviour is the most common crime type reported in Wool, often manifesting as nuisance activity in public spaces. To help maintain the village's safety, residents are encouraged to report any incidents of anti-social behaviour to the local police or through community reporting channels. Staying engaged with your neighbours and participating in local community groups can also help foster a sense of collective security and discourage disruptive activity.

For personal safety, while Wool is generally very secure, it is always wise to stay aware of your surroundings when walking through the village, particularly during evening hours. Ensure that communal areas and footpaths are well-lit where possible. Additionally, keeping a record of any persistent issues can assist local authorities in targeting their patrols effectively. By working together and remaining vigilant, the residents of Wool can continue to enjoy the high safety standards that define their community.

The timing of criminal activity in Wool shows a clear correlation with the village's daily social and commercial patterns. Theft-related offences are most frequent during the daylight hours, with 49% occurring in the morning and 53% in the afternoon. This suggests that opportunistic theft is most likely when shops are open and people are active in the community. As the day progresses into the evening (6pm-12am), there is a shift towards anti-social behaviour and public order incidents, which account for 51% of 'other' crimes in this period. Night-time (12am-6am) is the quietest period overall but sees the highest concentration of vehicle-related crime (34%) and burglary (18%). These patterns indicate that while the risk of crime is low, residents should be particularly mindful of vehicle and home security overnight. daytime vigilance in commercial areas can also help mitigate the most common forms of theft.

In comparison to its neighbours, Wool's crime rate of 63.5 per 1,000 residents reflects its position as a larger village with more local activity. It has a higher crime rate than nearby Crossways (36.7) and Bere Regis (37.9), which are smaller residential settlements. In contrast, very small hamlets like Winfrith Newburgh and Briantspuddle reported no crimes at all during the same period. Despite being slightly more active than its smallest neighbours, Wool remains a very safe choice when compared to larger Dorset towns or the national average. It offers a secure environment that balances essential local services with a high level of personal and property safety, making it a desirable location within the Dorset local authority.

With a property crime rate of just 10.0 per 1,000 people, Wool is an inherently safe area, yet homeowners should not overlook the value of proactive security. Traditional security systems, like DIY cameras, often only provide footage of a crime after it has happened, which does little to prevent the initial intrusion. For those seeking genuine peace of mind, scOS offers a proactive alternative. As an AI-powered home security operating system, scOS detects potential threats at the boundary of your property, not just at the point of entry. By monitoring all your cameras simultaneously, it can identify suspicious patterns and respond autonomously with lighting or audio alerts to deter intruders instantly. This approach is particularly effective against opportunistic theft and burglary, which are rare in Wool but still possible. By implementing a professional-grade system like scOS, you send a clear signal that your home is actively protected, encouraging potential criminals to move on and ensuring that your property remains part of Wool's low-crime statistics.