Crime in Verwood: statistics, rates and trends
510 crimes were recorded in Verwood in the 12 months to July 2026, 35.6 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 10% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Verwood at a glance
- Crime trends in Verwood
- Types of crime in Verwood
- Verwood compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Verwood
- Streets with the most crime in Verwood
- What happened after crimes were reported in Verwood
- Population and deprivation in Verwood
- Questions about crime in Verwood
- About this data
510 crimes were recorded in Verwood in the 12 months to July 2026, 35.6 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 10% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 169 reports (33% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Verwood has the 1,360th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Verwood | Dorset | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 510 | 20,740 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 35.6 | 53.2 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -10% | -6% | -1% |
| Population | 14,311 | 389,947 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Verwood was highest in the year to July 2023 (704 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (501). Over the whole period it fell 15%, 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 | 510 | 35.6 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 564 | 39.4 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 501 | 35.0 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 704 | 49.2 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 678 | 47.4 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 621 | 43.4 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 671 | 46.9 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 655 | 45.8 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 601 | 42.0 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 54 |
| June 2026 | 45 |
| May 2026 | 59 |
| April 2026 | 41 |
| March 2026 | 34 |
| February 2026 | 47 |
| January 2026 | 34 |
| December 2025 | 32 |
| November 2025 | 36 |
| October 2025 | 44 |
| September 2025 | 43 |
| August 2025 | 41 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Verwood 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 (+51%) and shoplifting (+21%). The largest falls were in other theft (-69%) and public order (-48%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 169 | 11.8 | 0.34 | -17% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 134 | 9.4 | 0.61 | +51% |
| Shoplifting | 47 | 3.3 | 0.40 | +21% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 44 | 3.1 | 0.45 | -4% |
| Public order | 25 | 1.7 | 0.26 | -48% |
| Other theft | 24 | 1.7 | 0.26 | -69% |
| Burglary | 22 | 1.5 | 0.43 | +5% |
| Vehicle crime | 20 | 1.4 | 0.28 | -13% |
| Other crime | 10 | 0.7 | 0.33 | +100% |
| Bicycle theft | 6 | 0.4 | 0.51 | +50% |
| Drugs | 4 | 0.3 | 0.09 | +0% |
| Robbery | 3 | 0.2 | 0.16 | n/a |
| Theft from the person | 2 | 0.1 | 0.08 | n/a |
Violence and sexual offences in Verwood
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Verwood recorded 169 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 33.1% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Verwood
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Verwood recorded 134 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 51% on the year before. It made up 26.3% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Verwood
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Verwood recorded 47 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 21% on the year before. It made up 9.2% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Verwood
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Verwood recorded 44 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 8.6% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Verwood
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Verwood recorded 25 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 48% on the year before. It made up 4.9% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Verwood
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Verwood recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 69% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Verwood
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Verwood recorded 22 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 4.3% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Verwood
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Verwood recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 3.9% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Verwood
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Verwood recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Verwood
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Verwood recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 50% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Verwood
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Verwood recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Verwood
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Verwood recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 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 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Verwood
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Verwood recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Verwood, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Verwood.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Verwood |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashley Heath | 329 | 40.4 | +13% |
| West Moors | 421 | 40.2 | +13% |
| Ringwood | 913 | 70.8 | +99% |
| Fordingbridge | 413 | 76.1 | +114% |
| Ferndown | 538 | 39.1 | +10% |
| Wimborne Minster | 960 | 60.1 | +69% |
| Merley | 155 | 25.4 | -29% |
| Bearwood | 281 | 55.4 | +55% |
1 areas within Verwood, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Verwood had the highest rate (35.6 per 1,000) and Verwood the lowest (35.6). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verwood | Neighbourhood | 14,311 | 510 | 35.6 |
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 Verwood over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 58 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 45 |
| On or near Eastworth Road | 23 |
| On or near Bingham Drive | 22 |
| On or near Oak Field Road | 13 |
| On or near Heather Gardens | 12 |
| On or near Manor Court | 11 |
| On or near Verwood Road | 11 |
| On or near Bingham Road | 10 |
| On or near Evergreen Close | 10 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Verwood 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 142 | 27.8% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 136 | 26.7% |
| Not recorded | 134 | 26.3% |
| Under investigation | 46 | 9.0% |
| Status update unavailable | 17 | 3.3% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 14 | 2.7% |
| Local resolution | 7 | 1.4% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 6 | 1.2% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 4 | 0.8% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.4% |
| Court result unavailable | 1 | 0.2% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.2% |
Verwood has an estimated population of 14,311. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Verwood sits in decile 8.5, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Verwood |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 15.9% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 56.1% |
| Aged 65 and over | 28.0% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 82.7% |
| Social rented homes | 6.2% |
| Private rented homes | 11.1% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 8.5 |
Is Verwood a safe place to live?
Verwood recorded 35.6 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 Verwood?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 169 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (134).
Is crime in Verwood going up or down?
Recorded crime in Verwood was down 10% on the year before: 510 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 564 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Verwood?
Verwood 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 Verwood. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.