Crime Rate in Dorchester West: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Dorchester West

The total recorded crimes in Dorchester West, Dorset, UK in July 2025 are around 62 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Dorchester West crime rate of 2.45 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 Jul were:

  • Anti-social behaviour: (19) incidents (72.73% increase)
  • Violence and sexual offences: (15) incidents (0.00% decrease)
  • Shoplifting: (9) incidents (-30.77% decrease)
Dorchester West Crime Hotspots

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

  • Hospital with total crimes: 6
  • High East Street with total crimes: 5
  • South Street 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 July 2025 the Dorchester West has recorded 62 crimes with crime rate of 2.45 ranking 12th 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.

AreaJuly 202520242023
CrimesRank (Dorchester West)CrimesRank (Dorchester West)CrimesRank (Dorchester West)
Melcombe Regis195 12,265 12,048 1
Portland93 61,209 21,022 2
West Purbeck113 2653 15643 14
Bridport99 41,101 3986 4
Rodwell & Wyke104 3884 6896 6
Westham94 5920 5928 5
Gillingham53 16724 11894 7
Wimborne Minster88 7881 7793 8
Radipole70 10835 8678 12
Littlemoor & Preston86 8784 10697 11
Swanage45 18571 19774 9
Blandford56 15820 9746 10
Shaftesbury Town84 9613 16615 18
Wareham64 11695 13651 13
Lytchett Matravers & Upton57 14705 12623 17
Verwood61 13582 18633 16
Chickerell45 20686 14635 15
Dorchester East37 23584 17535 19
St Leonards & St Ives49 17371 26283 29
Beacon45 19335 28327 24
Ferndown North40 21514 20483 20
Blackmore Vale28 29307 29407 21
Sherborne West26 30425 21246 31
Ferndown South40 22410 23392 22
Dorchester Poundbury26 31417 22283 27
West Moors & Three Legged Cross31 26390 25359 23
Corfe Mullen30 28398 24283 28
Lyme & Charmouth36 24369 27321 25
Winterborne North32 25273 32259 30
Charminster St Mary's17 42280 31316 26
West Parley30 27167 45165 43
Sturminster Newton23 33297 30181 38
Sherborne East22 35233 33211 32
Sherborne Rural24 32193 39174 40
Cranborne & Alderholt8 50203 36207 33
Eggardon16 46230 34196 34
Stour & Allen Vale22 34200 37154 47
Crossways17 40167 47196 35
Puddletown & Lower Winterborne20 36214 35180 39
Yetminster17 38175 42190 36
Colehill & Wimborne Minster East17 41191 40185 37
Beaminster20 37174 43163 45
Hill Forts & Upper Tarrants17 39198 38164 44
South East Purbeck7 51167 46169 41
Upwey & Broadwey16 44190 41168 42
Stalbridge & Marnhull16 43173 44153 48
Marshwood Vale16 4580 5292 51
Chesil Bank12 48135 49162 46
Cranborne Chase14 47128 50103 50
Winterborne & Broadmayne9 49150 48132 49
Chalk Valleys6 5296 5166 52

Dorchester West Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

July 2025 crime data shows Anti-social behaviour saw the largest number of reported crimes with 19 incidents, and Violence and sexual offences was another prevalent crime category with 15 incidents.

During June 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (15 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (13 cases).

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (19 incidents), followed by Shoplifting also remained a significant concern (13 incidents).

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).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 53 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 4.42 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 8 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20254
June 20253
May 20256
April 20253
March 20253
February 20254
January 20251
December 20246
November 20247
October 20245
September 20243
August 20248

A total of 143 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 11.92 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 20 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20259
June 202513
May 202513
April 202510
March 202520
February 202513
January 202511
December 202411
November 202420
October 202411
September 20245
August 20247

A total of 160 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 13.33 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 26 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202519
June 202511
May 202510
April 202512
March 202515
February 20257
January 20258
December 202411
November 202414
October 202416
September 202411
August 202426

A total of 16 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.60 incidents per month. January 2025 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 3 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20251
June 20251
May 20252
April 20251
February 20251
January 20253
December 20242
November 20242
October 20242
September 20241

A total of 252 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 21.00 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 34 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202515
June 202515
May 202519
April 202516
March 202516
February 202523
January 202523
December 202410
November 202424
October 202434
September 202429
August 202428

A total of 47 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 3.92 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 6 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20252
June 20256
May 20254
April 20253
March 20253
February 20253
January 20256
December 20241
November 20245
October 20244
September 20246
August 20244

A total of 7 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.17 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20252
April 20251
January 20251
December 20241
October 20241
September 20241

A total of 55 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 4.58 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 9 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20256
June 20252
May 20252
April 20254
March 20251
February 20254
January 20252
December 20248
November 20247
October 20249
September 20244
August 20246

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
July 20253
June 20258
May 20251
April 20252
March 20252
December 20245
November 202410
October 202410
September 20242
August 20244

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

A total of 15 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.88 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 3 reported cases.

MonthCount
June 20253
May 20253
April 20252
March 20252
December 20242
November 20241
October 20241
August 20241

A total of 3 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.00 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 1 reported cases.

MonthCount
June 20251
May 20251
April 20251

A total of 3 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.50 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
June 20251
May 20252

A total of 5 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.00 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 1 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20251
March 20251
January 20251
December 20241
November 20241

High Crime Locations Dorchester West in July 2025

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

1. Hospital (Map)
Total6
Violence and sexual offences3
Criminal damage and arson2
Other theft1
2. High East Street (Map)
Total5
Anti-social behaviour2
Violence and sexual offences2
Other crime1
3. South Street (Map)
Total5
Shoplifting5
4. Supermarket (Map)
Total5
Anti-social behaviour2
Violence and sexual offences2
Criminal damage and arson1
5. Caters Place (Map)
Total4
Anti-social behaviour3
Public order1
6. Frome Terrace (Map)
Total3
Anti-social behaviour2
Other theft1
7. Margaret Place (Map)
Total3
Anti-social behaviour2
Criminal damage and arson1
8. Poundbury Road (Map)
Total2
Criminal damage and arson1
Vehicle crime1
9. Cambridge Road (Map)
Total2
Anti-social behaviour2
10. Dorchester West (Map)
Total2
Shoplifting1
Vehicle crime1

  • 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.