Crime Guide

Top 5 Lowest Crime Areas in Dorset

A data-driven look at the 5 postcode areas with the lowest crime rates in Dorset, comparing each area's violent, property, theft and public order figures against the Dorset and national averages.

Updated:

View of Brownsea Island from Bournemouth
View of Brownsea Island from Bournemouth: View of Brownsea Island from Bournemouth by Robert Lamb, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Dorset offers a varied landscape that ranges from dramatic Jurassic Coast cliffs to quiet market towns tucked into the rural interior. Residents choose the county for its mixture of coastal scenery and open countryside, yet the living experience changes significantly depending on proximity to major transport hubs or urban centres. Choosing a home requires more than an appreciation for the surroundings. Reliable local data provides essential insight into the character of a neighbourhood, as consistent safety records play a direct role in protecting long-term property values and establishing a stable environment for family life. High levels of local disorder can erode peace of mind, making it important for prospective buyers to understand the patterns of public safety before they commit to a move.

This article provides a comparative analysis of the five postcode areas in Dorset with the lowest reported crime rates. Each selected location is benchmarked against the broader county statistics and the national average. The breakdown examines specific offence categories including violent crime, property crime, theft and public order incidents to offer a clear picture of local trends. While every town faces some level of criminal activity, the following data highlights the communities that maintain lower incident levels relative to their population size. This assessment helps clarify the relationship between location and personal security, providing a practical foundation for anyone looking to settle in the region.

The 5 lowest-crime areas in Dorset at a glance

Rank Area Postcode Households Crime Index
1 Broadstone, Dorset BH18 3,818 1.6%
2 Verwood, Dorset BH31 4,826 2.1%
3 Bournemouth, Dorset BH6 8,484 2.2%
4 Ferndown, Dorset BH22 9,713 2.3%
5 Poole, Dorset BH14 9,577 2.8%

1. Broadstone, Dorset [BH18]

Broadstone serves as a well-established suburb of Poole, offering a blend of local retail along The Broadway, substantial residential housing, and access to open heathland. Its character is largely defined by a settled, family-focused atmosphere supported by a three-tier education system. Many residents gravitate here for the combination of suburban convenience and proximity to larger urban centres, resulting in a community that feels distinct from the coastal bustle of Poole or Bournemouth.

The crime statistics reflect a secure environment. Violent crime occurs at a rate of 14.4 incidents per 1,000 households, which is 68% below the county average and 82% below the national average. Property crime sits at 11.0 incidents per 1,000 households, representing figures 47% lower than the county and 68% lower than national rates. Theft is recorded at 10.0 incidents per 1,000 households, while public order incidents occur at 20.2 per 1,000 households. Other incidents remain notably low at 0.5 per 1,000 households. These data points collectively indicate a stable area for residents. The low rates of theft and violent crime provide significant peace of mind for those living in the ward, suggesting that the risk of burglary or personal crime remains well below typical expectations for the region and the country at large.

How Broadstone, Dorset compares by category

Recorded incidents per 1,000 households, versus the Dorset and national averages.

Property Crime

68% below the national average.

Theft

71% below the national average.

Violent Crime

82% below the national average.

Public Order

64% below the national average.

Other

89% below the national average.

See full property, crime & traffic data for Broadstone, Dorset →

2. Verwood, Dorset [BH31]

Verwood functions as a substantial residential town in eastern Dorset, positioned north of Bournemouth and Poole. It appeals to families who appreciate its 3-tier school system and local amenities, including the Hub, which serves as a community centre with theatre, cinema, and sports facilities. The population consists primarily of people seeking a quieter environment than the larger coastal towns, supported by an established civil parish structure that includes Three Legged Cross.

Crime rates here are consistently low, offering residents significant peace of mind. Violent crime sits at 20.7 incidents per 1,000 households, which is 54% below the county average and 74% below the national average. Property crime occurs at a rate of 9.7 per 1,000 households, performing 53% better than the county and 72% better than the national figures. Theft is recorded at 12.6 incidents per 1,000 households, representing a 37% reduction against the county and 63% against the national average.

Public order offences are measured at 20.7 incidents per 1,000 households, sitting 48% below the county average and 63% below the national average. Other recorded incidents remain minimal at 0.6 per 1,000 households. These statistics indicate that the risk of burglary or personal harm remains very low for those living in the area, contributing to a secure day-to-day experience for the local community.

How Verwood, Dorset compares by category

Recorded incidents per 1,000 households, versus the Dorset and national averages.

Property Crime

72% below the national average.

Theft

63% below the national average.

Violent Crime

74% below the national average.

Public Order

63% below the national average.

Other

87% below the national average.

See full property, crime & traffic data for Verwood, Dorset →

3. Bournemouth, Dorset [BH6]

Southbourne and the surrounding BH6 area provide a coastal residential environment situated between Boscombe and Christchurch. This locality attracts a mix of families and professionals who value proximity to the sea and the River Stour. It maintains a distinct identity as a suburban enclave, offering access to local amenities while retaining a more settled pace of life than the primary town centre.

The crime figures indicate a safe environment for residents. Violent crime occurs at a rate of 19.1 incidents per 1,000 households, which is 58 percent below the county average and 76 percent below the national average. Theft is also notably low at 8.6 incidents per 1,000 households, sitting 57 percent below the county average and 75 percent below the national average. Property crime is recorded at 16.4 incidents per 1,000 households, representing a figure 21 percent below the county average and 53 percent below the national average.

Public order incidents sit at 24.8 per 1,000 households, which is 38 percent below the county average and 56 percent below the national average. Other crime categories remain minimal at 0.6 incidents per 1,000 households. These statistics suggest that residents experience a relatively secure living environment with a low risk of common offences. This provides significant peace of mind for those prioritising stability and a lower likelihood of becoming a victim of crime.

How Bournemouth, Dorset compares by category

Recorded incidents per 1,000 households, versus the Dorset and national averages.

Property Crime

53% below the national average.

Theft

75% below the national average.

Violent Crime

76% below the national average.

Public Order

56% below the national average.

Other

87% below the national average.

See full property, crime & traffic data for Bournemouth, Dorset →

4. Ferndown, Dorset [BH22]

Ferndown sits north of Bournemouth and Poole as a significant inland town with a stable, established demographic, including a notable population of residents aged 60 and over. Its layout features several residential communities and access to local heathland, creating a quiet suburban environment that appeals to families and retirees. The area maintains a conventional three-tier schooling system and functions as a primary residential hub for the surrounding region.

The crime data indicates a secure environment for locals. Violent crime occurs at a rate of 21.6 incidents per 1,000 households, which is 52% below the county average and 73% below the national average. Property crime figures remain similarly positive at 9.5 incidents per 1,000 households, sitting 54% lower than the county average and 73% under the national average. Theft is recorded at 11.2 incidents per 1,000 households, representing a 44% decrease from the county average and a 67% drop compared to national figures. Public order incidents are reported at 24.8 per 1,000 households, while other crime categories remain low at 0.6 per 1,000 households. These statistics suggest a low risk of burglary and physical harm, providing residents with meaningful peace of mind regarding their day-to-day safety in the area.

How Ferndown, Dorset compares by category

Recorded incidents per 1,000 households, versus the Dorset and national averages.

Property Crime

73% below the national average.

Theft

67% below the national average.

Violent Crime

73% below the national average.

Public Order

56% below the national average.

Other

87% below the national average.

See full property, crime & traffic data for Ferndown, Dorset →

5. Poole, Dorset [BH14]

The BH14 area, which encompasses parts of Parkstone and Whitecliff, provides a settled, suburban environment bordering the eastern shore of Poole Harbour. Characterised by its proximity to the water and established green spaces like Whitecliff Park, the area attracts a demographic that includes many mature residents and families who value home ownership. It functions as a quieter residential enclave with solid transport links via the local railway station, maintaining a community-focused atmosphere that feels removed from the density of nearby urban centres.

The crime figures for BH14 reflect a secure environment for its inhabitants. Violent crime is recorded at 26.0 incidents per 1,000 households, sitting 42 per cent below the county average and 67 per cent below the national average. Property crime sits at 16.0 incidents per 1,000 households, which is 23 per cent lower than the county average and 54 per cent below the national rate. Theft remains particularly low at 10.1 incidents per 1,000 households, performing 50 per cent better than the county average.

For residents, these statistics translate into a high level of peace of mind. Public order incidents are infrequent at 22.9 per 1,000 households, while other offences are minimal at just 0.9. These numbers indicate a low risk of burglary, theft, or public disturbance, allowing for a relaxed daily life. The figures confirm that this part of Poole remains one of the more stable and low-risk areas in the region.

How Poole, Dorset compares by category

Recorded incidents per 1,000 households, versus the Dorset and national averages.

Property Crime

54% below the national average.

Theft

71% below the national average.

Violent Crime

68% below the national average.

Public Order

59% below the national average.

Other

80% below the national average.

See full property, crime & traffic data for Poole, Dorset →

Frequently asked questions

Which is the lowest-crime area in Dorset?

Broadstone, Dorset has the lowest weighted crime rate of the Dorset postcode areas in this guide, based on police.uk recorded-crime data.

How is crime measured in this guide?

Each area's recorded offences are expressed per 1,000 households and split into violent crime, property crime, theft and public order, then benchmarked against the Dorset and England & Wales averages. Data is from police.uk and updated monthly.

When was this guide last updated?

The crime figures on this page were last refreshed on 2026-06-01.

Data sources

Crime data sourced from police.uk and updated monthly.

Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2026. Contains Royal Mail data © Royal Mail copyright and database right 2026. Source: Office for National Statistics licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

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