Crime Rate in Wareham: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Wareham

The total recorded crimes in Wareham, Dorset, UK in February 2025 are around 35 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Wareham crime rate of 7.37 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 Wareham, encompassing approximately 4,750 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during Feb were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (9) incidents (-35.71% decrease)
  • Criminal damage and arson: (6) incidents (50.00% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (6) incidents (20.00% increase)
Wareham Crime Hotspots

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

  • Sunnyside with total crimes: 3
  • Arne Road with total crimes: 2
  • Supermarket with total crimes: 2

How safe is Wareham?

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

  • Relative to Dorset:

    • In 2024, Wareham reported a higher crime volume than the Dorset average, with 695 crimes compared to 476. This indicates a potentially challenging safety environment in the region for the year. Furthermore, Wareham witnessed more crimes than 39 out of 51 other cities.

    • In 2023, Wareham experienced a greater number of crimes than the Dorset average, with 651 crimes compared to 446. This indicates a higher crime burden for the area in the region during this period. Furthermore, Wareham witnessed more crimes than 39 out of 51 other cities.

  • Overall Assessment:

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

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

Wareham Crime Statstics

In February 2025 the Wareham has recorded 35 crimes with crime rate of 7.37 ranking 14th out of 51 in the Dorset, UK

In 2024, the total Wareham crimes were 695. The crime rate of Wareham in 2024 was 146.31 (year) or 12.19 (month) ranking it 13 dangerous area in the Dorset.

In 2023, the total crimes in Wareham were around 651 crimes with yearly crime rate of 137.04 (year) or 11.42 (month) ranking 13 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
Dorchester East36 13584 17535 19
Verwood35 15582 18633 16
Shaftesbury Town32 19613 16615 18
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

Wareham 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 9 incidents, and Criminal damage and arson was another prevalent crime category with 6 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (14 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (5 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 11 incidents, and Burglary was another prevalent crime category with 5 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (11 reports) and Public order incidents were also notably high (6 cases).

In October 2024, Vehicle crime dominated crime reports (28 incidents), followed by Criminal damage and arson also remained a significant concern (13 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (19 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (5 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Anti-social behaviour (27 incidents) and then Violence and sexual offences showed a substantial number of incidents (15 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 13 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 10 incidents.

During June 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (34 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (28 cases).

In May 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (11 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (8 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (18 incidents) were the most common in April 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Public order (9 incidents) also being high.

For March 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (13 incidents) and then Burglary showed a substantial number of incidents (6 incidents).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 62 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 5.17 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 13 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 20256
January 20254
December 20243
November 20245
October 202413
September 20245
August 20244
July 20243
June 202410
May 20242
April 20244
March 20243

A total of 113 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 9.42 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 28 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 20256
January 20255
December 20243
November 20243
October 20248
September 20245
August 202427
July 202410
June 202428
May 20248
April 20246
March 20244

A total of 46 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 4.18 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 12 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 20251
January 20252
December 20243
November 20242
October 20242
September 20244
August 20245
July 20246
June 202412
May 20242
April 20247

A total of 55 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 4.58 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 12 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 20253
January 20253
December 20241
November 20246
October 20243
September 20243
August 20242
July 20245
June 202412
May 20244
April 20249
March 20244

A total of 180 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 15.00 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 34 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 20259
January 202514
December 202411
November 202411
October 202412
September 202419
August 202415
July 202413
June 202434
May 202411
April 202418
March 202413

A total of 39 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 3.25 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 6 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 20252
January 20253
December 20245
November 20243
October 20241
September 20242
August 20244
July 20241
June 20246
May 20241
April 20245
March 20246

A total of 68 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 5.67 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 16 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 20256
January 20252
December 20243
November 20243
October 202410
September 20243
August 20245
July 20243
June 202416
May 20244
April 20248
March 20245

A total of 6 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.20 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 20251
December 20241
November 20241
July 20241
June 20242

A total of 60 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 6.67 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 28 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 20251
January 20252
October 202428
September 20242
August 20245
July 20247
June 202410
May 20242
March 20243

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

MonthCount
January 20251

A total of 10 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.25 incidents per month. January 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 20252
December 20241
November 20241
October 20242
September 20241
August 20241
April 20241
March 20241

A total of 4 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.00 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 1 reported cases.

MonthCount
December 20241
November 20241
October 20241
March 20241

A total of 7 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.75 incidents per month. April 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 3 reported cases.

MonthCount
October 20241
September 20241
May 20242
April 20243

A total of 3 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.50 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20241
June 20242

High Crime Locations Wareham in February 2025

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

1. Sunnyside (Map)
Total3
Other theft3
2. Arne Road (Map)
Total2
Criminal damage and arson2
3. Supermarket (Map)
Total2
Anti-social behaviour1
Criminal damage and arson1
4. Supermarket (Map)
Total2
Anti-social behaviour1
Shoplifting1
5. Wareham Road (Map)
Total2
Other theft2
6. Carrion Lane (Map)
Total1
Anti-social behaviour1
7. Parking Area (Map)
Total1
Criminal damage and arson1
8. Roper'S Lane (Map)
Total1
Public order1
9. West Street (Map)
Total1
Violence and sexual offences1
10. North Street (Map)
Total1
Burglary1

  • 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.