Crime Rate in Wareham: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Wareham

The total recorded crimes in Wareham, Dorset, UK in May 2025 are around 43 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Wareham crime rate of 9.05 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 May were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (16) incidents (0.00% decrease)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (12) incidents (0.00% decrease)
  • Other theft: (5) incidents (-37.50% decrease)
Wareham Crime Hotspots

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

  • Fir Avenue with total crimes: 4
  • Supermarket with total crimes: 3
  • Christmas Close with total crimes: 3

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 areas in the Dorset.

    • 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 areas in the Dorset.

  • 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 May 2025 the Wareham has recorded 43 crimes with crime rate of 9.05 ranking 20th 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.

AreaMay 202520242023
CrimesRank (Wareham)CrimesRank (Wareham)CrimesRank (Wareham)
Melcombe Regis177 12,265 12,048 1
Portland92 31,209 21,022 2
Bridport113 21,101 3986 4
Dorchester West64 10980 41,017 3
Wimborne Minster83 4881 7793 8
Westham76 6920 5928 5
Shaftesbury Town78 5613 16615 18
Rodwell & Wyke63 11884 6896 6
Gillingham48 13724 11894 7
Radipole71 7835 8678 12
Littlemoor & Preston70 8784 10697 11
Swanage44 19571 19774 9
Blandford56 12820 9746 10
Ferndown North67 9514 20483 20
Lytchett Matravers & Upton45 18705 12623 17
West Purbeck40 22653 15643 14
Chickerell48 15686 14635 15
Dorchester East48 14584 17535 19
Verwood46 17582 18633 16
Beacon48 16335 28327 24
Blackmore Vale31 27307 29407 21
Sherborne West38 23425 21246 31
St Leonards & St Ives41 21371 26283 29
Ferndown South32 25410 23392 22
Dorchester Poundbury35 24417 22283 27
West Moors & Three Legged Cross31 26390 25359 23
Corfe Mullen30 28398 24283 28
Lyme & Charmouth20 34369 27321 25
Charminster St Mary's11 45280 31316 26
Upwey & Broadwey23 29190 41168 42
Winterborne North16 40273 32259 30
Sturminster Newton21 33297 30181 38
Cranborne & Alderholt22 30203 36207 33
Hill Forts & Upper Tarrants22 31198 38164 44
Sherborne East16 41233 33211 32
Cranborne Chase21 32128 50103 50
Eggardon20 35230 34196 34
Crossways10 49167 47196 35
Puddletown & Lower Winterborne14 43214 35180 39
Yetminster13 44175 42190 36
Stalbridge & Marnhull19 36173 44153 48
Colehill & Wimborne Minster East15 42191 40185 37
Stour & Allen Vale17 39200 37154 47
Sherborne Rural19 37193 39174 40
Beaminster18 38174 43163 45
South East Purbeck9 50167 46169 41
West Parley11 46167 45165 43
Chesil Bank10 47135 49162 46
Winterborne & Broadmayne10 48150 48132 49
Marshwood Vale2 5280 5292 51
Chalk Valleys4 5196 5166 52

Wareham Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (16 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (12 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (16 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (12 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , 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 (9 incidents).

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.

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 61 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 5.55 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 13 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20251
April 202511
March 20256
February 20256
January 20254
December 20243
November 20245
October 202413
September 20245
August 20244
July 20243

A total of 10 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 1.43 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20252
January 20252
December 20241
November 20241
October 20242
September 20241
August 20241

A total of 147 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 13.36 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 19 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202516
April 202516
March 202511
February 20259
January 202514
December 202411
November 202411
October 202412
September 202419
August 202415
July 202413

A total of 100 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 9.09 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 27 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202512
April 202512
March 20259
February 20256
January 20255
December 20243
November 20243
October 20248
September 20245
August 202427
July 202410

A total of 33 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 3.00 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 6 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20252
April 20253
March 20253
February 20251
January 20252
December 20243
November 20242
October 20242
September 20244
August 20245
July 20246

A total of 55 Other theft incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 5.00 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 10 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20255
April 20258
March 20257
February 20256
January 20252
December 20243
November 20243
October 202410
September 20243
August 20245
July 20243

A total of 35 Public order incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 3.18 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 6 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20254
April 20252
March 20253
February 20253
January 20253
December 20241
November 20246
October 20243
September 20243
August 20242
July 20245

A total of 52 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 5.78 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 28 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20251
April 20251
March 20255
February 20251
January 20252
October 202428
September 20242
August 20245
July 20247

A total of 30 Burglary incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 3.00 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 5 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 20255
March 20254
February 20252
January 20253
December 20245
November 20243
October 20241
September 20242
August 20244
July 20241

A total of 3 Drugs incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 1.00 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 1 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 20251
October 20241
September 20241

A total of 6 Other crime incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 1.20 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 20252
February 20251
December 20241
November 20241
July 20241

A total of 2 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 1.00 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 1 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 20251
January 20251

A total of 4 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 1.00 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 1 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20251
December 20241
November 20241
October 20241

A total of 1 Robbery incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 1.00 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 1 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20241

High Crime Locations Wareham in May 2025

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

1. Fir Avenue (Map)
Total4
Violence and sexual offences3
Public order1
2. Supermarket (Map)
Total3
Shoplifting2
Anti-social behaviour1
3. Christmas Close (Map)
Total3
Anti-social behaviour2
Other theft1
4. Supermarket (Map)
Total2
Bicycle theft1
Violence and sexual offences1
5. Grange Hill (Map)
Total2
Other theft1
Public order1
6. Parking Area (Map)
Total2
Anti-social behaviour1
Violence and sexual offences1
7. Bourne Drive (Map)
Total2
Violence and sexual offences2
8. Carey Road (Map)
Total2
Anti-social behaviour1
Violence and sexual offences1
9. The Croft (Map)
Total1
Criminal damage and arson1
10. Tinker'S Lane (Map)
Total1
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.