Crime Rate in Shaftesbury Town: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Shaftesbury Town

The total recorded crimes in Shaftesbury Town, Dorset, UK in February 2025 are around 32 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Shaftesbury Town crime rate of 2.40 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 Feb were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (12) incidents (-40.00% decrease)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (6) incidents (-57.14% decrease)
  • Criminal damage and arson: (5) incidents (400.00% increase)
Shaftesbury Town Crime Hotspots

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

  • Supermarket with total crimes: 4
  • Blackmore Road with total crimes: 2
  • Greenacre Way with total crimes: 1

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 cities.

    • 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 cities.

  • 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 February 2025 the Shaftesbury Town has recorded 32 crimes with crime rate of 2.40 ranking 19th 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.

AreaFebruary 202520242023
CrimesRank (Dorset)CrimesRank (Dorset)CrimesRank (Dorset)
Melcombe Regis152 12,265 12,048 1
Portland79 21,209 21,022 2
Dorchester West56 8980 41,017 3
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
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

Shaftesbury Town 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 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).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (20 incidents) were the most common in April 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (9 incidents) also being high.

For March 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (11 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (10 incidents).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 199 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 18.09 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 24 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 202512
January 202520
December 202421
November 202424
October 202418
September 202413
August 202420
June 202424
May 202416
April 202420
March 202411

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

A total of 45 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 5.00 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 14 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 20252
December 20242
November 202414
October 202414
September 20241
August 20242
June 20246
May 20241
April 20243

A total of 130 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 11.82 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 24 reported cases.

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

A total of 67 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 6.09 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 12 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 20255
January 20251
December 20249
November 202412
October 20249
September 20244
August 20243
June 20248
May 20244
April 20247
March 20245

A total of 43 Other theft incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 3.91 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 6 reported cases.

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

A total of 44 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 4.00 incidents per month. April 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 7 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 20254
January 20254
December 20241
November 20242
October 20244
September 20245
August 20246
June 20246
May 20242
April 20247
March 20243

A total of 8 Drugs incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 1.60 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 20251
November 20241
October 20242
August 20242
April 20242

A total of 37 Public order incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 4.11 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 10 reported cases.

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

A total of 23 Burglary incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 2.56 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 6 reported cases.

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

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
October 20241
June 20242
April 20241

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

MonthCount
September 20241
August 20241
June 20242

A total of 2 Robbery incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 2.00 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
June 20242

A total of 3 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 1.50 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
June 20242
May 20241

High Crime Locations Shaftesbury Town in February 2025

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

1. Supermarket (Map)
Total4
Shoplifting2
Other theft1
Violence and sexual offences1
2. Blackmore Road (Map)
Total2
Anti-social behaviour1
Criminal damage and arson1
3. Greenacre Way (Map)
Total1
Violence and sexual offences1
4. The Rickyard (Map)
Total1
Other crime1
5. Mead Way (Map)
Total1
Violence and sexual offences1
6. Reynolds Rise (Map)
Total1
Violence and sexual offences1
7. Melbury Way (Map)
Total1
Vehicle crime1
8. Snowdrop Wynde (Map)
Total1
Violence and sexual offences1
9. Cranborne Drive (Map)
Total1
Anti-social behaviour1
10. Tollgate Park (Map)
Total1
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.