Crime in Ferndown: statistics, rates and trends
538 crimes were recorded in Ferndown in the 12 months to July 2026, 39.1 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 12% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Ferndown at a glance
- Crime trends in Ferndown
- Types of crime in Ferndown
- Ferndown compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Ferndown
- Streets with the most crime in Ferndown
- What happened after crimes were reported in Ferndown
- Population and deprivation in Ferndown
- Questions about crime in Ferndown
- About this data
538 crimes were recorded in Ferndown in the 12 months to July 2026, 39.1 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 12% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 172 reports (32% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Ferndown has the 1,319th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Ferndown | Dorset | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 538 | 20,740 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 39.1 | 53.2 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -12% | -6% | -1% |
| Population | 13,776 | 389,947 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Ferndown was highest in the year to July 2020 (725 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (519). Over the whole period it rose 4%, 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 | 538 | 39.1 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 608 | 44.1 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 555 | 40.3 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 627 | 45.5 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 687 | 49.9 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 707 | 51.3 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 725 | 52.6 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 611 | 44.4 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 519 | 37.7 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 62 |
| June 2026 | 54 |
| May 2026 | 41 |
| April 2026 | 42 |
| March 2026 | 41 |
| February 2026 | 50 |
| January 2026 | 37 |
| December 2025 | 39 |
| November 2025 | 34 |
| October 2025 | 47 |
| September 2025 | 46 |
| August 2025 | 45 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Ferndown 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 shoplifting (+44%) and anti-social behaviour (+12%).
The largest falls were in public order (-43%) and vehicle crime (-30%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 172 | 12.5 | 0.36 | -17% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 164 | 11.9 | 0.78 | +12% |
| Shoplifting | 46 | 3.3 | 0.40 | +44% |
| Other theft | 45 | 3.3 | 0.51 | -12% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 30 | 2.2 | 0.32 | -23% |
| Burglary | 23 | 1.7 | 0.47 | -26% |
| Public order | 21 | 1.5 | 0.23 | -43% |
| Vehicle crime | 21 | 1.5 | 0.31 | -30% |
| Drugs | 7 | 0.5 | 0.16 | +40% |
| Other crime | 3 | 0.2 | 0.10 | -57% |
| Bicycle theft | 2 | 0.1 | 0.18 | -78% |
| Possession of weapons | 2 | 0.1 | 0.15 | -71% |
| Robbery | 1 | 0.1 | 0.05 | -80% |
| Theft from the person | 1 | 0.1 | 0.04 | -50% |
Violence and sexual offences in Ferndown
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Ferndown recorded 172 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 32.0% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Ferndown
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Ferndown recorded 164 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 30.5% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Ferndown
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Ferndown recorded 46 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 44% on the year before. It made up 8.6% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Ferndown
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Ferndown recorded 45 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 8.4% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Ferndown
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Ferndown recorded 30 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 5.6% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Ferndown
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Ferndown recorded 23 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 4.3% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Ferndown
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Ferndown recorded 21 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 43% on the year before. It made up 3.9% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Ferndown
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Ferndown recorded 21 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 30% on the year before. It made up 3.9% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Ferndown
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Ferndown recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 40% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Ferndown
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Ferndown recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 57% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Ferndown
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Ferndown recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 78% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Ferndown
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Ferndown recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 71% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Ferndown
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Ferndown 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 down 80% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Ferndown
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Ferndown recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Ferndown, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Ferndown.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Ferndown |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Moors | 421 | 40.2 | +3% |
| Bearwood | 281 | 55.4 | +42% |
| Wimborne Minster | 960 | 60.1 | +54% |
| Ashley Heath | 329 | 40.4 | +4% |
| Merley | 155 | 25.4 | -35% |
| Bournemouth | 21,650 | 106.8 | +174% |
| Verwood | 510 | 35.6 | -9% |
| Poole | 10,536 | 72.6 | +86% |
2 areas within Ferndown, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Ferndown North had the highest rate (55.4 per 1,000) and Ferndown South the lowest (40.6). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ferndown North | Neighbourhood | 8,159 | 452 | 55.4 |
| Ferndown South | Neighbourhood | 8,376 | 340 | 40.6 |
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 Ferndown over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 82 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 55 |
| On or near Princes Road | 31 |
| On or near Sycamore Gardens | 22 |
| On or near Mag'S Barrow | 19 |
| On or near Library Road | 18 |
| On or near Larks Close | 16 |
| On or near St Cleeve Way | 14 |
| On or near Stables Court | 14 |
| On or near Ham Lane | 12 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Ferndown 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 | 164 | 30.5% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 155 | 28.8% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 133 | 24.7% |
| Under investigation | 29 | 5.4% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 16 | 3.0% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 12 | 2.2% |
| Status update unavailable | 11 | 2.0% |
| Local resolution | 7 | 1.3% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 6 | 1.1% |
| Offender given a caution | 2 | 0.4% |
| Court result unavailable | 2 | 0.4% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.2% |
Ferndown has an estimated population of 13,776. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Ferndown sits in decile 8.6, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Ferndown |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 12.0% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 47.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 40.7% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 84.0% |
| Social rented homes | 4.9% |
| Private rented homes | 11.1% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 8.6 |
Is Ferndown a safe place to live?
Ferndown recorded 39.1 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 Ferndown?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 172 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (164).
Is crime in Ferndown going up or down?
Recorded crime in Ferndown was down 12% on the year before: 538 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 608 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Ferndown?
Ferndown 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 Ferndown. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.