Crime Rate in Shaftesbury Town: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Shaftesbury Town

The total recorded crimes in Shaftesbury Town, Dorset, UK in April 2025 are around 71 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Shaftesbury Town 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 Shaftesbury Town, encompassing approximately 13,351 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during Apr were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (19) incidents (0.00% decrease)
  • Criminal damage and arson: (16) incidents (433.33% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (13) incidents (8.33% increase)
Shaftesbury Town Crime Hotspots

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

  • Supermarket with total crimes: 6
  • Theatre/Concert Hall with total crimes: 6
  • Mead Way with total crimes: 3

How safe is Shaftesbury Town?

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

  • Relative to Dorset:

    • In 2024, Shaftesbury Town reported a higher crime volume than the Dorset average, with 613 crimes compared to 476. This indicates a potentially challenging safety environment in the region for the year. Furthermore, Shaftesbury Town witnessed more crimes than 36 out of 51 other areas in the Dorset.

    • In 2023, Shaftesbury Town experienced a greater number of crimes than the Dorset average, with 615 crimes compared to 446. This indicates a higher crime burden for the area in the region during this period. Furthermore, Shaftesbury Town witnessed more crimes than 34 out of 51 other areas in the Dorset.

  • Overall Assessment:

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

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

Shaftesbury Town Crime Statstics

In April 2025 the Shaftesbury Town has recorded 71 crimes with crime rate of 5.32 ranking 7th out of 51 in the Dorset, UK

In 2024, the total Shaftesbury Town crimes were 613. The crime rate of Shaftesbury Town in 2024 was 45.91 (year) or 3.83 (month) ranking it 16 dangerous area in the Dorset.

In 2023, the total crimes in Shaftesbury Town were around 615 crimes with yearly crime rate of 46.06 (year) or 3.84 (month) ranking 18 most dangerous area in the Dorset.

AreaApril 202520242023
CrimesRank (Shaftesbury Town)CrimesRank (Shaftesbury Town)CrimesRank (Shaftesbury Town)
Melcombe Regis143 12,265 12,048 1
Portland111 31,209 21,022 2
Wimborne Minster115 2881 7793 8
Dorchester West55 11980 41,017 3
Bridport71 61,101 3986 4
Radipole92 4835 8678 12
Westham89 5920 5928 5
Rodwell & Wyke56 10884 6896 6
Gillingham52 12724 11894 7
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

Shaftesbury Town Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (19 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Criminal damage and arson (16 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (19 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (12 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 12 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 6 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (20 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (14 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 21 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 10 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (24 reports) and Vehicle crime incidents were also notably high (14 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (18 incidents), followed by Vehicle crime also remained a significant concern (14 incidents).

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

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (20 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (9 incidents).

During June 2024, The highest incident rate was for Anti-social behaviour (24 reports) and Violence and sexual offences incidents were also notably high (24 cases).

In May 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (16 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (7 incidents).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 136 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 12.36 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 24 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 202513
March 202512
February 20256
January 202514
December 202410
November 202412
October 202413
September 202416
August 20249
June 202424
May 20247

A total of 74 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 6.73 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 16 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 202516
March 20253
February 20255
January 20251
December 20249
November 202412
October 20249
September 20244
August 20243
June 20248
May 20244

A total of 53 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 5.30 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 14 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 20255
March 20256
February 20252
December 20242
November 202414
October 202414
September 20241
August 20242
June 20246
May 20241

A total of 206 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 18.73 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 24 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 202519
March 202519
February 202512
January 202520
December 202421
November 202424
October 202418
September 202413
August 202420
June 202424
May 202416

A total of 38 Public order incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 4.22 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 10 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 20253
March 20252
January 20256
December 20242
November 20244
October 20242
September 20244
August 20245
June 202410

A total of 38 Other theft incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 3.45 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 6 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 20253
March 20252
February 20252
January 20253
December 20242
November 20242
October 20246
September 20243
August 20244
June 20246
May 20245

A total of 10 Other crime incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 1.67 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 3 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 20251
February 20251
January 20252
November 20241
September 20243
June 20242

A total of 26 Burglary incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 2.89 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 6 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 20255
March 20252
January 20251
December 20242
November 20242
October 20242
September 20243
August 20243
June 20246

A total of 7 Drugs incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 1.40 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 20251
January 20251
November 20241
October 20242
August 20242

A total of 4 Robbery incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 2.00 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 20252
June 20242

A total of 5 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 1.25 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 20251
September 20241
August 20241
June 20242

A total of 37 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 3.36 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 6 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 20252
March 20251
February 20254
January 20254
December 20241
November 20242
October 20244
September 20245
August 20246
June 20246
May 20242

A total of 4 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 1.33 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20251
June 20242
May 20241

A total of 4 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 1.33 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20251
October 20241
June 20242

High Crime Locations Shaftesbury Town in April 2025

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

1. Supermarket (Map)
Total6
Anti-social behaviour2
Criminal damage and arson1
Drugs1
Public order1
Robbery1
2. Theatre/Concert Hall (Map)
Total6
Burglary4
Anti-social behaviour1
Shoplifting1
3. Mead Way (Map)
Total3
Violence and sexual offences2
Anti-social behaviour1
4. Sports/Recreation Area (Map)
Total3
Criminal damage and arson2
Anti-social behaviour1
5. Supermarket (Map)
Total3
Criminal damage and arson2
Violence and sexual offences1
6. Trinity Road (Map)
Total3
Violence and sexual offences2
Public order1
7. Mustons Lane (Map)
Total3
Anti-social behaviour2
Other theft1
8. High Street (Map)
Total3
Bicycle theft1
Criminal damage and arson1
Shoplifting1
9. Hawkesdene Lane (Map)
Total3
Criminal damage and arson1
Robbery1
Violence and sexual offences1
10. Tollgate Park (Map)
Total2
Vehicle crime1
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.