Crime Rate in Dorchester West: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Dorchester West

The total recorded crimes in Dorchester West, Dorset, UK in February 2025 are around 56 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Dorchester West crime rate of 2.22 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 Feb were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (23) incidents (0.00% decrease)
  • Shoplifting: (13) incidents (18.18% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (7) incidents (-12.50% decrease)
Dorchester West Crime Hotspots

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

  • South Street with total crimes: 5
  • Supermarket with total crimes: 5
  • Hospital with total crimes: 4

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 cities.

    • 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 cities.

  • 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 February 2025 the Dorchester West has recorded 56 crimes with crime rate of 2.22 ranking 8th 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.

AreaFebruary 202520242023
CrimesRank (Dorset)CrimesRank (Dorset)CrimesRank (Dorset)
Melcombe Regis152 12,265 12,048 1
Portland79 21,209 21,022 2
Bridport67 31,101 3986 4
Westham66 4920 5928 5
Rodwell & Wyke66 5884 6896 6
Wimborne Minster57 6881 7793 8
Gillingham50 9724 11894 7
West Purbeck57 7653 15643 14
Radipole37 12835 8678 12
Swanage27 24571 19774 9
Blandford33 16820 9746 10
Littlemoor & Preston41 10784 10697 11
Chickerell37 11686 14635 15
Lytchett Matravers & Upton26 25705 12623 17
Wareham35 14695 13651 13
Dorchester East36 13584 17535 19
Verwood35 15582 18633 16
Shaftesbury Town32 19613 16615 18
Corfe Mullen33 17398 24283 28
St Leonards & St Ives33 18371 26283 29
Ferndown North25 26514 20483 20
West Moors & Three Legged Cross29 20390 25359 23
Blackmore Vale29 21307 29407 21
Sherborne West16 34425 21246 31
Ferndown South19 30410 23392 22
Dorchester Poundbury19 31417 22283 27
Sherborne Rural28 22193 39174 40
Sturminster Newton27 23297 30181 38
Beacon24 27335 28327 24
Lyme & Charmouth15 35369 27321 25
Charminster St Mary's14 36280 31316 26
Winterborne North20 28273 32259 30
Stalbridge & Marnhull19 29173 44153 48
Sherborne East10 41233 33211 32
Yetminster17 32175 42190 36
Cranborne & Alderholt6 48203 36207 33
Eggardon17 33230 34196 34
Crossways8 46167 47196 35
Puddletown & Lower Winterborne9 44214 35180 39
Colehill & Wimborne Minster East8 47191 40185 37
Stour & Allen Vale5 50200 37154 47
Hill Forts & Upper Tarrants13 37198 38164 44
West Parley13 38167 45165 43
Marshwood Vale11 3980 5292 51
South East Purbeck11 40167 46169 41
Upwey & Broadwey10 42190 41168 42
Beaminster9 43174 43163 45
Chesil Bank8 45135 49162 46
Winterborne & Broadmayne6 49150 48132 49
Cranborne Chase4 52128 50103 50
Chalk Valleys5 5196 5166 52

Dorchester West Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

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).

Recorded incidents of Shoplifting were the most frequent (16 incidents) were the most common in April 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (13 incidents) also being high.

For March 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (23 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (15 incidents).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 191 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 15.92 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 30 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 20257
January 20258
December 202411
November 202414
October 202416
September 202411
August 202426
July 202424
June 202430
May 202416
April 202413
March 202415

A total of 311 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 25.92 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 64 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 202523
January 202523
December 202410
November 202424
October 202434
September 202429
August 202428
July 202424
June 202464
May 202421
April 20248
March 202423

A total of 74 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 6.17 incidents per month. May 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 11 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 20254
January 20252
December 20248
November 20247
October 20249
September 20244
August 20246
July 20246
June 202410
May 202411
April 20244
March 20243

A total of 139 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 11.58 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 20 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 202513
January 202511
December 202411
November 202420
October 202411
September 20245
August 20247
July 202414
June 20246
May 202418
April 202416
March 20247

A total of 58 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 4.83 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 8 reported cases.

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

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
February 20253
January 20256
December 20241
November 20245
October 20244
September 20246
August 20244
July 20246
June 202412
May 20246
April 20244
March 20242

A total of 16 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 2.00 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 6 reported cases.

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

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
February 20251
January 20253
December 20242
November 20242
October 20242
September 20241
July 20242
March 20241

A total of 7 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.17 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 20251
December 20241
November 20241
June 20242
April 20241
March 20241

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

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

A total of 12 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
December 20242
November 20241
October 20241
August 20241
July 20244
May 20243

A total of 55 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 5.50 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 10 reported cases.

MonthCount
December 20245
November 202410
October 202410
September 20242
August 20244
July 20245
June 20242
May 20245
April 20248
March 20244

A total of 4 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.33 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20242
May 20241
March 20241

A total of 4 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.33 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20242
April 20241
March 20241

High Crime Locations Dorchester West in February 2025

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

1. South Street (Map)
Total5
Shoplifting5
2. Supermarket (Map)
Total5
Shoplifting5
3. Hospital (Map)
Total4
Violence and sexual offences2
Other theft1
Public order1
4. Durngate Street (Map)
Total3
Anti-social behaviour2
Violence and sexual offences1
5. Glyde Path Road (Map)
Total3
Violence and sexual offences2
Anti-social behaviour1
6. Hawthorn Close (Map)
Total3
Anti-social behaviour1
Shoplifting1
Violence and sexual offences1
7. Margaret Place (Map)
Total3
Violence and sexual offences2
Public order1
8. Dorchester West (Map)
Total3
Burglary1
Criminal damage and arson1
Other crime1
9. Supermarket (Map)
Total3
Public order1
Shoplifting1
Violence and sexual offences1
10. High West Street (Map)
Total2
Criminal damage and arson1
Violence and sexual offences1

  • 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.