Crime Rate in Swanage: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Swanage

The total recorded crimes in Swanage, Dorset, UK in July 2025 are around 45 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Swanage crime rate of 3.20 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 Swanage, encompassing approximately 14,052 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during Jul were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (15) incidents (-11.76% decrease)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (14) incidents (180.00% increase)
  • Criminal damage and arson: (9) incidents (80.00% increase)
Swanage Crime Hotspots

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

  • Parking Area with total crimes: 3
  • Institute Road with total crimes: 3
  • Northbrook Road with total crimes: 3

How safe is Swanage?

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

  • Relative to Dorset:

    • In 2024, Swanage reported a higher crime volume than the Dorset average, with 571 crimes compared to 476. This indicates a potentially challenging safety environment in the region for the year. Furthermore, Swanage witnessed more crimes than 33 out of 51 other areas in the Dorset.

    • In 2023, Swanage experienced a greater number of crimes than the Dorset average, with 774 crimes compared to 446. This indicates a higher crime burden for the area in the region during this period. Furthermore, Swanage witnessed more crimes than 43 out of 51 other areas in the Dorset.

  • Overall Assessment:

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

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

Swanage Crime Statstics

In July 2025 the Swanage has recorded 45 crimes with crime rate of 3.20 ranking 18th out of 51 in the Dorset, UK

In 2024, the total Swanage crimes were 571. The crime rate of Swanage in 2024 was 40.63 (year) or 3.39 (month) ranking it 19 dangerous area in the Dorset.

In 2023, the total crimes in Swanage were around 774 crimes with yearly crime rate of 55.08 (year) or 4.59 (month) ranking 9 most dangerous area in the Dorset.

AreaJuly 202520242023
CrimesRank (Swanage)CrimesRank (Swanage)CrimesRank (Swanage)
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
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

Swanage Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

July 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 15 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 14 incidents.

During June 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (17 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (5 cases).

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (18 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (12 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (14 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (7 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (18 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (8 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 15 incidents, and Public order was another prevalent crime category with 4 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (13 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (4 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 15 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 5 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (14 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (5 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (16 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (5 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (7 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Criminal damage and arson (5 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (21 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (14 incidents).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 11 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.57 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 3 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20253
June 20251
May 20251
November 20241
October 20242
September 20241
August 20242

A total of 183 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 15.25 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 21 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202515
June 202517
May 202518
April 202514
March 202518
February 202515
January 202513
December 202415
November 202414
October 202416
September 20247
August 202421

A total of 85 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 7.08 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 14 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202514
June 20255
May 202512
April 20257
March 20258
February 20252
January 20254
December 20245
November 20245
October 20245
September 20244
August 202414

A total of 44 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 3.67 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 9 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20259
June 20255
May 20252
April 20253
March 20253
February 20251
January 20251
December 20242
November 20244
October 20244
September 20245
August 20245

A total of 15 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.88 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 4 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20251
June 20251
May 20251
February 20251
January 20251
October 20242
September 20244
August 20244

A total of 30 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 2.73 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 5 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20253
June 20251
May 20252
April 20255
March 20252
February 20254
January 20252
November 20245
October 20244
September 20241
August 20241

A total of 31 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 3.10 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 6 reported cases.

MonthCount
June 20253
May 20252
April 20254
March 20254
February 20252
December 20241
November 20244
October 20242
September 20243
August 20246

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

MonthCount
June 20251
February 20251
October 20241

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
June 20251
May 20252
April 20251

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

MonthCount
June 20251
April 20251
March 20251

A total of 34 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 3.40 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 5 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20253
April 20255
March 20254
February 20251
January 20253
December 20245
November 20245
October 20243
September 20241
August 20244

A total of 2 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
December 20241

A total of 2 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.00 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 1 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 20251
August 20241

A total of 1 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.00 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 1 reported cases.

MonthCount
October 20241

High Crime Locations Swanage in July 2025

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

1. Parking Area (Map)
Total3
Anti-social behaviour2
Violence and sexual offences1
2. Institute Road (Map)
Total3
Anti-social behaviour1
Burglary1
Violence and sexual offences1
3. Northbrook Road (Map)
Total3
Burglary1
Criminal damage and arson1
Violence and sexual offences1
4. Kings Road East (Map)
Total2
Anti-social behaviour1
Violence and sexual offences1
5. The Parade (Map)
Total2
Criminal damage and arson1
Violence and sexual offences1
6. Wills Road (Map)
Total2
Anti-social behaviour1
Criminal damage and arson1
7. Shottsford Close (Map)
Total2
Violence and sexual offences2
8. Holmes Road (Map)
Total2
Anti-social behaviour2
9. High Street (Map)
Total2
Anti-social behaviour1
Public order1
10. Brickyard Close (Map)
Total2
Public order1
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.