Crime Rate in Dorchester West: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Dorchester West

The total recorded crimes in Dorchester West, Dorset, UK in April 2025 are around 55 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Dorchester West crime rate of 2.18 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 Dorchester West, encompassing approximately 25,254 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during Apr were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (16) incidents (0.00% decrease)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (12) incidents (-20.00% decrease)
  • Shoplifting: (10) incidents (-50.00% decrease)
Dorchester West Crime Hotspots

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

  • Supermarket with total crimes: 6
  • High West Street with total crimes: 5
  • Hospital with total crimes: 5

How safe is Dorchester West?

To understand the safety of Dorchester West, we need to analyze Dorchester West crime statistics in relation to regional averages. Lets examine the available data and provide a balanced assessment.

  • Relative to Dorset:

    • In 2024, Dorchester West reported a higher crime volume than the Dorset average, with 980 crimes compared to 476. This indicates a potentially challenging safety environment in the region for the year. Furthermore, Dorchester West witnessed more crimes than 48 out of 51 other areas in the Dorset.

    • In 2023, Dorchester West experienced a greater number of crimes than the Dorset average, with 1,017 crimes compared to 446. This indicates a higher crime burden for the area in the region during this period. Furthermore, Dorchester West witnessed more crimes than 49 out of 51 other areas in the Dorset.

  • Overall Assessment:

    • Compared to other areas in Dorset, Dorchester West has a higher crime rate and is considered more dangerous in 2024.

    • The trend in crime rates suggests Positive changes in overall safety.

Dorchester West Crime Statstics

In April 2025 the Dorchester West has recorded 55 crimes with crime rate of 2.18 ranking 11th out of 51 in the Dorset, UK

In 2024, the total Dorchester West crimes were 980. The crime rate of Dorchester West in 2024 was 38.80 (year) or 3.23 (month) ranking it 4 dangerous area in the Dorset.

In 2023, the total crimes in Dorchester West were around 1,017 crimes with yearly crime rate of 40.27 (year) or 3.36 (month) ranking 3 most dangerous area in the Dorset.

AreaApril 202520242023
CrimesRank (Dorchester West)CrimesRank (Dorchester West)CrimesRank (Dorchester West)
Melcombe Regis143 12,265 12,048 1
Portland111 31,209 21,022 2
Wimborne Minster115 2881 7793 8
Bridport71 61,101 3986 4
Radipole92 4835 8678 12
Westham89 5920 5928 5
Rodwell & Wyke56 10884 6896 6
Gillingham52 12724 11894 7
Shaftesbury Town71 7613 16615 18
Wareham62 8695 13651 13
Swanage41 15571 19774 9
Blandford52 13820 9746 10
Littlemoor & Preston60 9784 10697 11
Lytchett Matravers & Upton50 14705 12623 17
West Purbeck39 18653 15643 14
Chickerell35 23686 14635 15
Verwood39 19582 18633 16
Dorchester East40 16584 17535 19
Ferndown North39 17514 20483 20
Ferndown South38 20410 23392 22
Blackmore Vale36 22307 29407 21
Sherborne West25 30425 21246 31
Beacon37 21335 28327 24
Dorchester Poundbury32 25417 22283 27
West Moors & Three Legged Cross27 29390 25359 23
Corfe Mullen28 28398 24283 28
Sherborne Rural35 24193 39174 40
Lyme & Charmouth30 26369 27321 25
Charminster St Mary's20 32280 31316 26
St Leonards & St Ives18 35371 26283 29
Eggardon29 27230 34196 34
Winterborne North13 45273 32259 30
Sturminster Newton12 48297 30181 38
Yetminster23 31175 42190 36
Sherborne East20 33233 33211 32
Cranborne & Alderholt7 50203 36207 33
West Parley18 34167 45165 43
Crossways16 38167 47196 35
Puddletown & Lower Winterborne11 49214 35180 39
Hill Forts & Upper Tarrants17 36198 38164 44
Colehill & Wimborne Minster East16 39191 40185 37
Stour & Allen Vale15 43200 37154 47
Winterborne & Broadmayne17 37150 48132 49
South East Purbeck15 40167 46169 41
Upwey & Broadwey15 42190 41168 42
Stalbridge & Marnhull15 41173 44153 48
Beaminster13 44174 43163 45
Chesil Bank12 46135 49162 46
Cranborne Chase12 47128 50103 50
Marshwood Vale5 5280 5292 51
Chalk Valleys5 5196 5166 52

Dorchester West Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (16 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (12 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Shoplifting (20 incidents) and then Violence and sexual offences showed a substantial number of incidents (16 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 23 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 13 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (23 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (11 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Shoplifting saw the largest number of reported crimes with 11 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 11 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (24 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (20 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (34 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (16 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (29 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (11 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (28 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (26 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Anti-social behaviour saw the largest number of reported crimes with 24 incidents, and Violence and sexual offences was another prevalent crime category with 24 incidents.

During June 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (64 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (30 cases).

In May 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (21 incidents), followed by Shoplifting also remained a significant concern (18 incidents).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 59 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 4.92 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 12 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 20253
March 20253
February 20253
January 20256
December 20241
November 20245
October 20244
September 20246
August 20244
July 20246
June 202412
May 20246

A total of 190 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 15.83 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 30 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 202512
March 202515
February 20257
January 20258
December 202411
November 202414
October 202416
September 202411
August 202426
July 202424
June 202430
May 202416

A total of 312 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 26.00 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 64 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 202516
March 202516
February 202523
January 202523
December 202410
November 202424
October 202434
September 202429
August 202428
July 202424
June 202464
May 202421

A total of 16 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 2.00 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 4 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 20252
March 20252
December 20242
November 20241
October 20241
August 20241
July 20244
May 20243

A total of 72 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 6.00 incidents per month. May 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 11 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 20254
March 20251
February 20254
January 20252
December 20248
November 20247
October 20249
September 20244
August 20246
July 20246
June 202410
May 202411

A total of 146 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 12.17 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 20 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 202510
March 202520
February 202513
January 202511
December 202411
November 202420
October 202411
September 20245
August 20247
July 202414
June 20246
May 202418

A total of 6 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.00 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 1 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 20251
January 20251
December 20241
October 20241
September 20241
May 20241

A total of 47 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 4.70 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 10 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 20252
March 20252
December 20245
November 202410
October 202410
September 20242
August 20244
July 20245
June 20242
May 20245

A total of 14 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.75 incidents per month. January 2025 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 3 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 20251
February 20251
January 20253
December 20242
November 20242
October 20242
September 20241
July 20242

A total of 3 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.50 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 20251
July 20242

A total of 55 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 4.58 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 8 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 20253
March 20253
February 20254
January 20251
December 20246
November 20247
October 20245
September 20243
August 20248
July 20243
June 20246
May 20246

A total of 18 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 2.25 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 6 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20253
February 20251
November 20246
October 20241
September 20242
August 20243
July 20241
May 20241

A total of 6 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.20 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20251
January 20251
December 20241
November 20241
June 20242

A total of 3 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.50 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20242
May 20241

High Crime Locations Dorchester West in April 2025

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

1. Supermarket (Map)
Total6
Shoplifting3
Anti-social behaviour2
Violence and sexual offences1
2. High West Street (Map)
Total5
Anti-social behaviour3
Public order2
3. Hospital (Map)
Total5
Violence and sexual offences3
Anti-social behaviour1
Other theft1
4. South Street (Map)
Total3
Shoplifting2
Violence and sexual offences1
5. Hawthorn Close (Map)
Total3
Shoplifting2
Possession of weapons1
6. Cambridge Road (Map)
Total3
Violence and sexual offences2
Other crime1
7. Alexandra Terrace (Map)
Total2
Shoplifting2
8. The Grove (Map)
Total2
Anti-social behaviour1
Criminal damage and arson1
9. Mountain Ash Road (Map)
Total2
Anti-social behaviour2
10. Baynard'S Road (Map)
Total2
Violence and sexual offences2

  • 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.