Crime in Poole: statistics, rates and trends

10,536 crimes were recorded in Poole in the 12 months to July 2026, 72.6 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 5% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 3,420 reports (32% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Poole has the 736th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Poole was highest in the year to July 2019 (14,524 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (10,536). Over the whole period it fell 27%, 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.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Poole 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, bicycle theft.

The largest increases were in robbery (+60%) and drugs (+12%). The largest falls were in public order (-24%) and burglary (-21%).

Violence and sexual offences in Poole

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Poole recorded 3,420 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (23.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 32.5% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Poole

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Poole recorded 2,791 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (19.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 26.5% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Poole

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Poole recorded 854 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 8.1% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Poole

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Poole recorded 826 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 7.8% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Poole

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Poole recorded 610 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Poole

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Poole recorded 587 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 5.6% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Poole

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Poole recorded 459 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 24% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Poole

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Poole recorded 387 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 3.7% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Poole

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Poole recorded 180 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Poole

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Poole recorded 155 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Poole

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Poole recorded 85 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 60% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Poole

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Poole recorded 84 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Poole

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Poole recorded 57 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Poole

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Poole recorded 41 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the towns closest to Poole, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Poole.

11 areas within Poole, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Poole Town had the highest rate (173.2 per 1,000) and Broadstone the lowest (31.2). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

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 over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Poole 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.

Poole has an estimated population of 145,151. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Poole sits in decile 6.6, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

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. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.