Crime in Ashley Heath: statistics, rates and trends
329 crimes were recorded in Ashley Heath in the 12 months to July 2026, 40.4 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 9% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Ashley Heath at a glance
- Crime trends in Ashley Heath
- Types of crime in Ashley Heath
- Ashley Heath compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Ashley Heath
- Streets with the most crime in Ashley Heath
- What happened after crimes were reported in Ashley Heath
- Population and deprivation in Ashley Heath
- Questions about crime in Ashley Heath
- About this data
329 crimes were recorded in Ashley Heath in the 12 months to July 2026, 40.4 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 9% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 113 reports (34% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Ashley Heath has the 1,298th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Ashley Heath | Dorset | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 329 | 20,740 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 40.4 | 53.2 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -9% | -6% | -1% |
| Population | 8,135 | 389,947 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Ashley Heath was highest in the year to July 2021 (371 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2023 (282). Over the whole period it fell 1%, 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 | 329 | 40.4 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 363 | 44.6 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 328 | 40.3 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 282 | 34.7 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 364 | 44.7 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 371 | 45.6 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 324 | 39.8 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 323 | 39.7 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 333 | 40.9 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 34 |
| June 2026 | 26 |
| May 2026 | 22 |
| April 2026 | 38 |
| March 2026 | 28 |
| February 2026 | 17 |
| January 2026 | 33 |
| December 2025 | 36 |
| November 2025 | 16 |
| October 2025 | 14 |
| September 2025 | 24 |
| August 2025 | 41 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Ashley Heath 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. The largest increases were in anti-social behaviour (+66%) and other theft (+57%).
The largest falls were in criminal damage and arson (-49%) and burglary (-47%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 113 | 13.9 | 0.41 | -12% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 78 | 9.6 | 0.63 | +66% |
| Other theft | 33 | 4.1 | 0.63 | +57% |
| Vehicle crime | 33 | 4.1 | 0.82 | -31% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 21 | 2.6 | 0.38 | -49% |
| Burglary | 17 | 2.1 | 0.59 | -47% |
| Public order | 17 | 2.1 | 0.31 | +21% |
| Drugs | 6 | 0.7 | 0.23 | +50% |
| Bicycle theft | 4 | 0.5 | 0.60 | +33% |
| Other crime | 4 | 0.5 | 0.23 | +300% |
| Shoplifting | 2 | 0.2 | 0.03 | -89% |
| Robbery | 1 | 0.1 | 0.09 | n/a |
Violence and sexual offences in Ashley Heath
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Ashley Heath recorded 113 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 34.3% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Ashley Heath
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Ashley Heath recorded 78 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 66% on the year before. It made up 23.7% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Ashley Heath
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Ashley Heath recorded 33 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 57% on the year before. It made up 10.0% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Ashley Heath
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Ashley Heath recorded 33 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 31% on the year before. It made up 10.0% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Ashley Heath
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Ashley Heath recorded 21 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 49% on the year before. It made up 6.4% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Ashley Heath
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Ashley Heath recorded 17 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 47% on the year before. It made up 5.2% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Ashley Heath
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Ashley Heath recorded 17 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 21% on the year before. It made up 5.2% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Ashley Heath
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Ashley Heath recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 50% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Ashley Heath
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Ashley Heath recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Ashley Heath
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Ashley Heath recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 300% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Ashley Heath
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Ashley Heath recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 89% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Ashley Heath
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Ashley Heath recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Ashley Heath, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Ashley Heath.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Ashley Heath |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Moors | 421 | 40.2 | -1% |
| Ringwood | 913 | 70.8 | +75% |
| Ferndown | 538 | 39.1 | -3% |
| Verwood | 510 | 35.6 | -12% |
| Wimborne Minster | 960 | 60.1 | +49% |
| Bearwood | 281 | 55.4 | +37% |
| Bournemouth | 21,650 | 106.8 | +164% |
| Merley | 155 | 25.4 | -37% |
1 areas within Ashley Heath, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. St Leonards & St Ives had the highest rate (40.4 per 1,000) and St Leonards & St Ives the lowest (40.4). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Leonards & St Ives | Neighbourhood | 8,135 | 329 | 40.4 |
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 Ashley Heath over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Petrol Station | 23 |
| On or near Park/Open Space | 20 |
| On or near Garden-Lane | 16 |
| On or near New Forest Estate | 14 |
| On or near Brockwood | 13 |
| On or near South Drive | 13 |
| On or near Pegasus Close | 12 |
| On or near Folly Farm Lane | 9 |
| On or near St Ives Wood | 9 |
| On or near Utah Road | 8 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Ashley Heath 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 106 | 32.2% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 94 | 28.6% |
| Not recorded | 78 | 23.7% |
| Under investigation | 17 | 5.2% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 15 | 4.6% |
| Status update unavailable | 7 | 2.1% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.9% |
| Local resolution | 3 | 0.9% |
| Court result unavailable | 3 | 0.9% |
| Offender given a caution | 2 | 0.6% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.3% |
Ashley Heath has an estimated population of 8,135. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Ashley Heath sits in decile 8.3, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Ashley Heath |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 12.0% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 48.4% |
| Aged 65 and over | 39.5% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 89.3% |
| Social rented homes | 3.6% |
| Private rented homes | 7.1% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 8.3 |
Is Ashley Heath a safe place to live?
Ashley Heath recorded 40.4 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, lower 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 Ashley Heath?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 113 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (78).
Is crime in Ashley Heath going up or down?
Recorded crime in Ashley Heath was down 9% on the year before: 329 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 363 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Ashley Heath?
Ashley Heath 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 Ashley Heath. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.