Crime Rate in Shaftesbury Town: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Shaftesbury Town

The total recorded crimes in Shaftesbury Town, Dorset, UK in July 2025 are around 84 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Shaftesbury Town crime rate of 6.29 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 Jul were:

  • Anti-social behaviour: (28) incidents (115.38% increase)
  • Violence and sexual offences: (26) incidents (116.67% increase)
  • Criminal damage and arson: (8) incidents (166.67% increase)
Shaftesbury Town Crime Hotspots

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

  • Border Close with total crimes: 13
  • Reynolds Rise with total crimes: 7
  • Mampitts Lane with total crimes: 5

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 July 2025 the Shaftesbury Town has recorded 84 crimes with crime rate of 6.29 ranking 9th 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.

AreaJuly 202520242023
CrimesRank (Shaftesbury Town)CrimesRank (Shaftesbury Town)CrimesRank (Shaftesbury Town)
Melcombe Regis195 12,265 12,048 1
Portland93 61,209 21,022 2
West Purbeck113 2653 15643 14
Dorchester West62 12980 41,017 3
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
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

Shaftesbury Town Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

July 2025 crime data shows Anti-social behaviour saw the largest number of reported crimes with 28 incidents, and Violence and sexual offences was another prevalent crime category with 26 incidents.

During June 2025, The highest incident rate was for Anti-social behaviour (13 reports) and Violence and sexual offences incidents were also notably high (12 cases).

In May 2025, Anti-social behaviour dominated crime reports (25 incidents), followed by Violence and sexual offences also remained a significant concern (14 incidents).

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).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 171 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 14.25 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 28 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202528
June 202513
May 202525
April 202513
March 202512
February 20256
January 202514
December 202410
November 202412
October 202413
September 202416
August 20249

A total of 26 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 2.36 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 5 reported cases.

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

A total of 218 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 18.17 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 26 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202526
June 202512
May 202514
April 202519
March 202519
February 202512
January 202520
December 202421
November 202424
October 202418
September 202413
August 202420

A total of 41 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 3.73 incidents per month. January 2025 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 6 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20255
June 20253
May 20255
April 20253
March 20252
January 20256
December 20242
November 20244
October 20242
September 20244
August 20245

A total of 82 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 6.83 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 16 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20258
June 20253
May 20259
April 202516
March 20253
February 20255
January 20251
December 20249
November 202412
October 20249
September 20244
August 20243

A total of 6 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 2.00 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 3 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20253
May 20251
April 20252

A total of 55 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 5.00 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 14 reported cases.

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

A total of 12 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.71 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 3 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20252
May 20252
April 20251
February 20251
January 20252
November 20241
September 20243

A total of 32 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 2.91 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 6 reported cases.

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

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

MonthCount
July 20251
May 20251
March 20251

A total of 44 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 3.67 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 6 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20255
June 20254
May 20256
April 20252
March 20251
February 20254
January 20254
December 20241
November 20242
October 20244
September 20245
August 20246

A total of 10 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.43 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
June 20251
May 20252
April 20251
January 20251
November 20241
October 20242
August 20242

A total of 4 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.33 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20252
March 20251
October 20241

A total of 4 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.00 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 1 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20251
April 20251
September 20241
August 20241

High Crime Locations Shaftesbury Town in July 2025

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

1. Border Close (Map)
Total13
Violence and sexual offences7
Anti-social behaviour3
Other crime1
Other theft1
Possession of weapons1
2. Reynolds Rise (Map)
Total7
Anti-social behaviour7
3. Mampitts Lane (Map)
Total5
Anti-social behaviour4
Robbery1
4. Supermarket (Map)
Total5
Shoplifting2
Burglary1
Vehicle crime1
Violence and sexual offences1
5. Supermarket (Map)
Total4
Robbery2
Shoplifting1
Violence and sexual offences1
6. Orchid View (Map)
Total3
Anti-social behaviour3
7. White Hart Lane (Map)
Total3
Anti-social behaviour2
Violence and sexual offences1
8. Blackmore Road (Map)
Total3
Anti-social behaviour1
Criminal damage and arson1
Violence and sexual offences1
9. Coles Crescent (Map)
Total2
Public order1
Violence and sexual offences1
10. Petrol Station (Map)
Total2
Public order1
Shoplifting1

  • 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.