Crime in Poole Town: statistics, rates and trends
2,375 crimes were recorded in Poole Town in the 12 months to July 2026, 173.2 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 2% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Poole Town at a glance
- Crime trends in Poole Town
- Types of crime in Poole Town
- Poole Town compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Poole Town
- What happened after crimes were reported in Poole Town
- Population and deprivation in Poole Town
- Questions about crime in Poole Town
- About this data
2,375 crimes were recorded in Poole Town in the 12 months to July 2026, 173.2 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 2% on the year before. The most common offence was anti-social behaviour, with 731 reports (31% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Poole Town has the 291st highest crime rate.
| Measure | Poole Town | Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 2,375 | 35,434 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 173.2 | 86.6 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -2% | -4% | -1% |
| Population | 13,711 | 408,967 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Poole Town was highest in the year to July 2018 (3,584 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (2,375). Over the whole period it fell 34%, against a fall of 4% across England and Wales. Rates use today's population for every year, so they show the direction of change rather than exact historic rates.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 2,375 | 173.2 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 2,425 | 176.9 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 2,675 | 195.1 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 2,882 | 210.2 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 2,834 | 206.7 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 2,832 | 206.5 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 3,055 | 222.8 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 3,542 | 258.3 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 3,584 | 261.4 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 294 |
| June 2026 | 262 |
| May 2026 | 241 |
| April 2026 | 160 |
| March 2026 | 172 |
| February 2026 | 147 |
| January 2026 | 189 |
| December 2025 | 165 |
| November 2025 | 191 |
| October 2025 | 160 |
| September 2025 | 177 |
| August 2025 | 217 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Poole Town over the 12 months to July 2026. The index compares the local rate with England and Wales: 1.00 is the national rate, 2.00 is double it. Rates were well above the national level for anti-social behaviour, violence and sexual offences, shoplifting.
The largest increases were in vehicle crime (+17%) and criminal damage and arson (+14%). The largest falls were in other theft (-27%) and public order (-22%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anti-social behaviour | 731 | 53.3 | 3.48 | +6% |
| Violence and sexual offences | 677 | 49.4 | 1.44 | -10% |
| Shoplifting | 206 | 15.0 | 1.81 | +1% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 166 | 12.1 | 1.79 | +14% |
| Vehicle crime | 112 | 8.2 | 1.66 | +17% |
| Other theft | 110 | 8.0 | 1.25 | -27% |
| Public order | 102 | 7.4 | 1.12 | -22% |
| Burglary | 74 | 5.4 | 1.53 | +1% |
| Drugs | 63 | 4.6 | 1.41 | +11% |
| Bicycle theft | 61 | 4.4 | 5.41 | +11% |
| Other crime | 22 | 1.6 | 0.76 | +16% |
| Robbery | 18 | 1.3 | 0.97 | +6% |
| Possession of weapons | 17 | 1.2 | 1.28 | +0% |
| Theft from the person | 16 | 1.2 | 0.69 | +0% |
Anti-social behaviour in Poole Town
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Poole Town recorded 731 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (53.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 30.8% of all crime in the area.
Violence and sexual offences in Poole Town
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Poole Town recorded 677 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (49.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 28.5% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Poole Town
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Poole Town recorded 206 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 8.7% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Poole Town
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Poole Town recorded 166 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 7.0% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Poole Town
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Poole Town recorded 112 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Poole Town
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Poole Town recorded 110 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 27% on the year before. It made up 4.6% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Poole Town
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Poole Town recorded 102 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 4.3% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Poole Town
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Poole Town recorded 74 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Poole Town
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Poole Town recorded 63 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Poole Town
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Poole Town recorded 61 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Poole Town
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Poole Town recorded 22 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Poole Town
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Poole Town recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Poole Town
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Poole Town recorded 17 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Poole Town
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Poole Town recorded 16 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Poole Town, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Poole Town.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Poole Town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakdale | 400 | 37.8 | -78% |
| Parkstone | 655 | 54.1 | -69% |
| Hamworthy | 1,064 | 73.6 | -58% |
| Penn Hill | 598 | 50.0 | -71% |
| Newtown & Heatherlands | 1,381 | 75.7 | -56% |
| Creekmoor | 597 | 61.2 | -65% |
| Canford Heath | 820 | 58.2 | -66% |
| Canford Cliffs | 687 | 83.0 | -52% |
Police.uk records each crime at an approximate location, usually the centre of a nearby street or a landmark, to protect victims' privacy. These are the locations with the most reports in Poole Town over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 272 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 171 |
| On or near Bus/Coach Station | 128 |
| On or near Supermarket | 96 |
| On or near Hospital | 92 |
| On or near North Street | 88 |
| On or near Whatleigh Close | 78 |
| On or near Paradise Street | 62 |
| On or near Poole Bus Station | 56 |
| On or near Lifeboat Quay | 46 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Poole Town over the 12 months to July 2026. Many cases are still open when the data is published, and anti-social behaviour has no outcome recorded, so these shares change as investigations finish.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Not recorded | 731 | 30.8% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 594 | 25.0% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 526 | 22.1% |
| Under investigation | 188 | 7.9% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 116 | 4.9% |
| Local resolution | 52 | 2.2% |
| Court result unavailable | 52 | 2.2% |
| Status update unavailable | 39 | 1.6% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 38 | 1.6% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 20 | 0.8% |
| Offender given a caution | 15 | 0.6% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.1% |
Poole Town has an estimated population of 13,711. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Poole Town sits in decile 4.6, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Poole Town |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 16.7% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 61.8% |
| Aged 65 and over | 21.5% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 49.0% |
| Social rented homes | 20.5% |
| Private rented homes | 30.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.6 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 10.2% |
Is Poole Town a safe place to live?
Poole Town recorded 173.2 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4. Crime is concentrated in a small number of places within most areas, often busy centres and transport hubs, so the rate for a single street can differ a lot from the area as a whole.
What is the most common crime in Poole Town?
Anti-social behaviour was the most common category, with 731 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by violence and sexual offences (677).
Is crime in Poole Town going up or down?
Recorded crime in Poole Town was down 2% on the year before: 2,375 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 2,425 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Poole Town?
Poole Town is policed by Dorset. Non-emergency crimes can be reported online to the force or by calling 101; in an emergency call 999.
How are these crime rates calculated?
Each rate is the number of crimes recorded by the police in the 12 months to July 2026, divided by the resident population and multiplied by 1,000. Crime data is from data.police.uk and population estimates are from the Office for National Statistics.
Figures are police-recorded crime published on data.police.uk, covering August 2017 to July 2026. Each crime is counted in the small area (LSOA) where it was recorded and added up to Poole Town. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.