Crime in West Parley, Dorset: statistics, rates and trends
144 crimes were recorded in West Parley, Dorset in the 12 months to August 2026, 29.4 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and down 20% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime map
- Crime in West Parley, Dorset at a glance
- Crime trends in West Parley, Dorset
- Types of crime in West Parley, Dorset
- West Parley, Dorset compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in West Parley, Dorset
- What happened after crimes were reported in West Parley, Dorset
- Demographics of West Parley, Dorset
- Questions about crime in West Parley, Dorset
- About this data
Crime map
Anti-social behaviour (51), violence and sexual offences (42) and criminal damage and arson (13) made up 74% of all recorded crime. Its crime rate ranks 3,785th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site (1 = highest), in the lowest tenth.
| Measure | West Parley, Dorset | Dorset | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to August 2026 | 144 | 21,072 | 5,618,064 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 29.4 | 54.0 | 96.7 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -20% | -4% | -1% |
| Population | 4,894 | 389,947 | 58,127,638 |
The year to August 2026 had the least recorded crime in West Parley, Dorset of any year here (144 crimes). Between the years to August 2018 and 2026 it fell 4%, in line with England and Wales.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to August 2026 | 144 | 29.4 | 96.7 |
| Year to August 2025 | 181 | 37.0 | 97.2 |
| Year to August 2024 | 159 | 32.5 | 97.9 |
| Year to August 2023 | 151 | 30.9 | n/a |
| Year to August 2022 | 148 | 30.2 | 102.0 |
| Year to August 2021 | 199 | 40.7 | 101.4 |
| Year to August 2020 | 163 | 33.3 | 102.7 |
| Year to August 2019 | 173 | 35.3 | 101.7 |
| Year to August 2018 | 150 | 30.6 | 100.8 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 14 |
| July 2026 | 28 |
| June 2026 | 22 |
| May 2026 | 16 |
| April 2026 | 6 |
| March 2026 | 6 |
| February 2026 | 14 |
| January 2026 | 6 |
| December 2025 | 11 |
| November 2025 | 11 |
| October 2025 | 7 |
| September 2025 | 3 |
No category with at least 20 crimes was notably above the England and Wales rate, and violence and sexual offences (75% below) and anti-social behaviour (32% below) were well below it. On the year before, violence and sexual offences fell from 52 to 42 and anti-social behaviour fell from 61 to 51.
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anti-social behaviour | 51 | 10.4 | 15.4 | -16% |
| Violence and sexual offences | 42 | 8.6 | 34.2 | -19% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 13 | 2.7 | 6.7 | n/a |
| Burglary | 12 | 2.5 | 3.6 | n/a |
| Vehicle crime | 7 | 1.4 | 5.0 | n/a |
| Other theft | 5 | 1.0 | 6.4 | n/a |
| Shoplifting | 4 | 0.8 | 8.5 | n/a |
| Other crime | 3 | 0.6 | 2.1 | n/a |
| Public order | 3 | 0.6 | 6.7 | n/a |
| Bicycle theft | 1 | 0.2 | 0.8 | n/a |
| Drugs | 1 | 0.2 | 3.3 | n/a |
| Possession of weapons | 1 | 0.2 | 1.0 | n/a |
| Theft from the person | 1 | 0.2 | 1.7 | n/a |
What each category covers: crime categories.
7 of the 8 nearest neighbourhoods have a higher crime rate than West Parley, Dorset; the highest is Wimborne Minster, Dorset (81.2 per 1,000) and the lowest Colehill & Wimborne Minster East (25.2).
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs West Parley, Dorset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ferndown South | 368 | 43.9 | +49% |
| Ferndown North | 448 | 54.9 | +87% |
| West Moors & Three Legged Cross | 300 | 35.8 | +22% |
| Colehill & Wimborne Minster East | 180 | 25.2 | -14% |
| St Leonards & St Ives | 319 | 39.2 | +33% |
| Wimborne Minster | 906 | 81.2 | +176% |
| Corfe Mullen | 393 | 36.8 | +25% |
| Verwood | 508 | 35.5 | +21% |
The 10 locations below account for 62% of the crime recorded in West Parley, Dorset over the 12 months to August 2026; the most were recorded at “Mag'S Barrow” (17).
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Mag'S Barrow | 17 |
| On or near Christchurch Road | 14 |
| On or near Elm Tree Walk | 12 |
| On or near Glenmoor Road | 11 |
| On or near Parley Close | 8 |
| On or near Longfield Drive | 6 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 6 |
| On or near Winnards Close | 6 |
| On or near Evening Glade | 5 |
| On or near Alliss Close | 4 |
The latest recorded outcomes for the 93 crimes in West Parley, Dorset with one. The 51 anti-social behaviour reports have no outcome and are left out.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 39 | 41.9% | 35.3% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 32 | 34.4% | 34.5% |
| Under investigation | 8 | 8.6% | 11.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 6 | 6.5% | 4.7% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 3 | 3.2% | 5.2% |
| Court result unavailable | 2 | 2.2% | 2.5% |
| Local resolution | 2 | 2.2% | 3.1% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 1 | 1.1% | 1.3% |
West Parley, Dorset has an estimated population of 4,894 (ONS, mid-2024). Compared with England and Wales it has an older population (40%, against 19%), more retired residents (44%, against 22%) and less social housing (1.1%, against 17.1%). On the England IoD 2025, the small areas (LSOAs) that make up West Parley, Dorset average decile 9.7 (1 = most deprived), less deprived than average.
| Measure | West Parley, Dorset | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 11.7% | 18.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 40.5% | 18.9% |
| Residents 16+ in work | 46.7% | 57.2% |
| Residents 16+ unemployed | 1.6% | 3.4% |
| Residents 16+ retired | 43.5% | 21.6% |
| Residents 16+ who are students | 3.7% | 7.9% |
| Residents 16+ with Level 4 qualifications or above (degree, HND and similar) | 31.0% | 33.8% |
| Residents 16+ with no qualifications | 16.0% | 18.2% |
| Households with no car or van | 8.0% | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 91.0% | 62.5% |
| Social rented homes | 1.1% | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 7.9% | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 9.7 | 5.5 (England) |
Is West Parley, Dorset a safe place to live?
West Parley, Dorset recorded 29.4 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to August 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and ranks 3,785th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods on this site by crime rate (1 = highest).
What is the most common crime in West Parley, Dorset?
Anti-social behaviour was the most common category, with 51 reports in the 12 months to August 2026, followed by violence and sexual offences (42).
Is crime in West Parley, Dorset going up or down?
Recorded crime in West Parley, Dorset was down 20% on the year before: 144 crimes in the 12 months to August 2026 against 181 in the previous 12 months.
What is the population of West Parley, Dorset?
About 4,894 people (ONS mid-2024 estimate), 40% of them aged 65 or over (England and Wales: 19%).
Which police force covers West Parley, Dorset?
West Parley, Dorset is policed by Dorset.
Police-recorded crime from data.police.uk (September 2017 to August 2026), ONS population estimates and Census 2021. Definitions and limitations: methodology.