Crime Rate in Dorset: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Dorset

The total recorded crimes in Dorset, UK in May 2025 are around 2,021 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Dorset crime rate of 5.32 per 1,000 population.

It's important to note that this crime data is based on the Geographic Boundry data provided by the ONS around Dorset, encompassing approximately 379,580 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during May were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (755) incidents (6.94% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (498) incidents (13.70% increase)
  • Criminal damage and arson: (162) incidents (-12.43% decrease)
Dorset Crime Hotspots

The surrounding areas of below locations have emerged as crime hotspots,

  • Halsey Green with total crimes: 15
  • Brunswick Terrace with total crimes: 13
  • Downes Street with total crimes: 11

Dorset Police Info:

Dorset Police

Dorset Crime Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, Melcombe Regis (177 crimes), and the safest, Marshwood Vale (2 crimes), is 175 crimes. This measurable difference indicates a some disparity in safety across Dorset.

Similarly, the area of Weymouth Town, Melcombe Regis & Rodwell (220 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Colehill (10 crimes), with a difference of 210 crimes. This noticeable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Dorset.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Melcombe Regis177
Bridport113
Portland92
Wimborne Minster83
Shaftesbury Town78

Safest Wards:

Winterborne & Broadmayne10
Crossways10
South East Purbeck9
Chalk Valleys4
Marshwood Vale2

Most Dangerous Areas:

Weymouth Town, Melcombe Regis & Rodwell220
Westham North & Radipole83
Wimborne Minster80
Shaftesbury78
Dorchester North64

Safest Areas:

Burton Bradstock & Chideock17
Bere Regis & Lytchett Matravers15
Weymouth West15
Corfe Castle & Langton Matravers14
Colehill10

Dorset Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (755 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (498 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (706 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (438 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (697 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (403 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 586 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 279 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (688 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (314 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 584 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 279 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (679 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (331 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (714 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (413 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (645 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (363 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (667 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (554 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 729 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 475 incidents.

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 1711 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 155.55 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 185 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025162
April 2025185
March 2025139
February 2025137
January 2025120
December 2024161
November 2024159
October 2024178
September 2024125
August 2024171
July 2024174

A total of 1001 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 91.00 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 195 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202567
April 202569
March 202557
February 202571
January 202543
December 202482
November 202497
October 2024195
September 2024104
August 2024120
July 202496

A total of 4347 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 395.18 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 554 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025498
April 2025438
March 2025403
February 2025279
January 2025314
December 2024279
November 2024331
October 2024413
September 2024363
August 2024554
July 2024475

A total of 85 Robbery incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 7.73 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 13 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202510
April 202512
March 20253
February 20254
January 20254
December 20246
November 202411
October 20246
September 20243
August 202413
July 202413

A total of 273 Drugs incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 24.82 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 35 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202524
April 202535
March 202528
February 202518
January 202523
December 202423
November 202420
October 202431
September 202421
August 202426
July 202424

A total of 1457 Other theft incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 132.45 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 183 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025117
April 2025115
March 2025111
February 2025117
January 2025118
December 2024136
November 2024133
October 2024161
September 2024131
August 2024183
July 2024135

A total of 81 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 7.36 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 10 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20259
April 20257
March 20257
February 20251
January 20258
December 20247
November 20249
October 202410
September 20247
August 202410
July 20246

A total of 709 Burglary incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 64.45 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 98 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202573
April 202561
March 202546
February 202550
January 202534
December 202498
November 202481
October 202464
September 202460
August 202476
July 202466

A total of 119 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 10.82 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 19 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202514
April 20259
March 202513
February 20256
January 20259
December 20247
November 202415
October 202413
September 20249
August 202419
July 20245

A total of 1498 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 136.18 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 171 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025131
April 2025151
March 2025171
February 2025121
January 2025122
December 202496
November 2024141
October 2024143
September 2024133
August 2024163
July 2024126

A total of 1313 Public order incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 119.36 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 140 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025124
April 2025120
March 2025111
February 202592
January 2025108
December 202489
November 2024119
October 2024139
September 2024132
August 2024140
July 2024139

A total of 142 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 12.91 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 32 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202517
April 202511
March 202511
February 20254
January 20258
December 20249
November 202410
October 20249
September 202415
August 202432
July 202416

A total of 266 Other crime incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 24.18 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 32 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202520
April 202525
March 202526
February 202523
January 202531
December 202420
November 202432
October 202421
September 202428
August 202416
July 202424

A total of 7450 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 677.27 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 755 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025755
April 2025706
March 2025697
February 2025586
January 2025688
December 2024584
November 2024679
October 2024714
September 2024645
August 2024667
July 2024729

High Crime Locations Dorset in May 2025

A detailed breakdown of crime incidents by location within the Dorset postcode area is presented below.

1. Halsey Green (Map)
Total15
Violence and sexual offences15
2. Brunswick Terrace (Map)
Total13
Anti-social behaviour13
3. Downes Street (Map)
Total11
Anti-social behaviour7
Violence and sexual offences3
Drugs1
4. Great George Street (Map)
Total10
Violence and sexual offences4
Shoplifting4
Criminal damage and arson2
5. St Annes Close (Map)
Total10
Violence and sexual offences10
6. Theatre/Concert Hall (Map)
Total9
Anti-social behaviour5
Violence and sexual offences4

  • Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2021. This data is licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
  • Contains Office for National Statistics data licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0
  • Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.