Crime in West Moors: statistics, rates and trends
421 crimes were recorded in West Moors in the 12 months to July 2026, 40.2 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 16% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in West Moors at a glance
- Crime trends in West Moors
- Types of crime in West Moors
- West Moors compared with nearby towns
- Areas within West Moors
- Streets with the most crime in West Moors
- What happened after crimes were reported in West Moors
- Population and deprivation in West Moors
- Questions about crime in West Moors
- About this data
421 crimes were recorded in West Moors in the 12 months to July 2026, 40.2 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 16% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 154 reports (37% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, West Moors has the 1,301st highest crime rate.
| Measure | West Moors | Dorset | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 421 | 20,740 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 40.2 | 53.2 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -16% | -6% | -1% |
| Population | 10,477 | 389,947 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in West Moors was highest in the year to July 2022 (646 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (421). Over the whole period it fell 20%, 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 | 421 | 40.2 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 501 | 47.8 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 567 | 54.1 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 552 | 52.7 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 646 | 61.7 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 632 | 60.3 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 533 | 50.9 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 477 | 45.5 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 529 | 50.5 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 53 |
| June 2026 | 37 |
| May 2026 | 29 |
| April 2026 | 41 |
| March 2026 | 29 |
| February 2026 | 24 |
| January 2026 | 39 |
| December 2025 | 29 |
| November 2025 | 34 |
| October 2025 | 36 |
| September 2025 | 44 |
| August 2025 | 26 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in West Moors 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 other theft (+17%).
The largest falls were in public order (-25%) and criminal damage and arson (-25%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 154 | 14.7 | 0.43 | -12% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 116 | 11.1 | 0.72 | -19% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 40 | 3.8 | 0.56 | -25% |
| Other theft | 34 | 3.2 | 0.51 | +17% |
| Shoplifting | 23 | 2.2 | 0.26 | +5% |
| Public order | 18 | 1.7 | 0.26 | -25% |
| Vehicle crime | 12 | 1.1 | 0.23 | -33% |
| Burglary | 9 | 0.9 | 0.24 | -36% |
| Drugs | 6 | 0.6 | 0.18 | +50% |
| Other crime | 4 | 0.4 | 0.18 | -56% |
| Bicycle theft | 2 | 0.2 | 0.23 | +0% |
| Possession of weapons | 1 | 0.1 | 0.10 | -75% |
| Robbery | 1 | 0.1 | 0.07 | -50% |
| Theft from the person | 1 | 0.1 | 0.06 | +0% |
Violence and sexual offences in West Moors
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. West Moors recorded 154 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (14.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 36.6% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in West Moors
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. West Moors recorded 116 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 27.6% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in West Moors
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. West Moors recorded 40 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 9.5% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in West Moors
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. West Moors recorded 34 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 8.1% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in West Moors
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. West Moors recorded 23 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 5.5% of all crime in the area.
Public order in West Moors
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. West Moors recorded 18 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 25% on the year before. It made up 4.3% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in West Moors
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. West Moors recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in West Moors
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. West Moors recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 36% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in West Moors
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. West Moors recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 50% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in West Moors
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. West Moors recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 56% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in West Moors
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. West Moors recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in West Moors
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. West Moors recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 75% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in West Moors
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. West Moors 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 50% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in West Moors
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. West Moors 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 almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to West Moors, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to West Moors.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs West Moors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ferndown | 538 | 39.1 | -3% |
| Ashley Heath | 329 | 40.4 | +1% |
| Verwood | 510 | 35.6 | -11% |
| Wimborne Minster | 960 | 60.1 | +50% |
| Bearwood | 281 | 55.4 | +38% |
| Merley | 155 | 25.4 | -37% |
| Ringwood | 913 | 70.8 | +76% |
| Bournemouth | 21,650 | 106.8 | +166% |
1 areas within West Moors, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. West Moors & Three Legged Cross had the highest rate (35.5 per 1,000) and West Moors & Three Legged Cross the lowest (35.5). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Moors & Three Legged Cross | Neighbourhood | 8,370 | 297 | 35.5 |
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 West Moors over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Cracklewood Close | 38 |
| On or near Holly Close | 29 |
| On or near Petwyn Close | 27 |
| On or near Thames Close | 16 |
| On or near Ameys Lane | 14 |
| On or near Ford Lane | 14 |
| On or near Severn Road | 14 |
| On or near Bramble Court | 13 |
| On or near Dugdell Close | 13 |
| On or near Bolton Crescent | 12 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in West Moors 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 | 116 | 27.6% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 115 | 27.3% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 106 | 25.2% |
| Under investigation | 35 | 8.3% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 12 | 2.9% |
| Status update unavailable | 10 | 2.4% |
| Local resolution | 9 | 2.1% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 7 | 1.7% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 4 | 1.0% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.7% |
| Offender given a caution | 2 | 0.5% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.5% |
West Moors has an estimated population of 10,477. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in West Moors sits in decile 5.3, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | West Moors |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 13.1% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 48.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 38.6% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 77.2% |
| Social rented homes | 12.9% |
| Private rented homes | 9.9% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.3 |
Is West Moors a safe place to live?
West Moors recorded 40.2 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 West Moors?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 154 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (116).
Is crime in West Moors going up or down?
Recorded crime in West Moors was down 16% on the year before: 421 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 501 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers West Moors?
West Moors 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 West Moors. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.