Crime Rate in West Purbeck: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in West Purbeck

The total recorded crimes in West Purbeck, Dorset, UK in May 2025 are around 40 as per the recent police data. This equates to a West Purbeck crime rate of 11.92 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 West Purbeck, encompassing approximately 3,355 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during May were:

  • Anti-social behaviour: (15) incidents (0.00% decrease)
  • Violence and sexual offences: (13) incidents (18.18% increase)
  • Other theft: (4) incidents (300.00% increase)
West Purbeck Crime Hotspots

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

  • Middlefield with total crimes: 7
  • Giddy Green Lane with total crimes: 4
  • Parking Area with total crimes: 3

How safe is West Purbeck?

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

  • Relative to Dorset:

    • In 2024, West Purbeck reported a higher crime volume than the Dorset average, with 653 crimes compared to 476. This indicates a potentially challenging safety environment in the region for the year. Furthermore, West Purbeck witnessed more crimes than 37 out of 51 other areas in the Dorset.

    • In 2023, West Purbeck experienced a greater number of crimes than the Dorset average, with 643 crimes compared to 446. This indicates a higher crime burden for the area in the region during this period. Furthermore, West Purbeck witnessed more crimes than 38 out of 51 other areas in the Dorset.

  • Overall Assessment:

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

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

West Purbeck Crime Statstics

In May 2025 the West Purbeck has recorded 40 crimes with crime rate of 11.92 ranking 22th out of 51 in the Dorset, UK

In 2024, the total West Purbeck crimes were 653. The crime rate of West Purbeck in 2024 was 194.63 (year) or 16.22 (month) ranking it 15 dangerous area in the Dorset.

In 2023, the total crimes in West Purbeck were around 643 crimes with yearly crime rate of 191.65 (year) or 15.97 (month) ranking 14 most dangerous area in the Dorset.

AreaMay 202520242023
CrimesRank (West Purbeck)CrimesRank (West Purbeck)CrimesRank (West Purbeck)
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
Wareham43 20695 13651 13
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

West Purbeck Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

In May 2025, Anti-social behaviour dominated crime reports (15 incidents), followed by Violence and sexual offences also remained a significant concern (13 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Anti-social behaviour were the most frequent (15 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Violence and sexual offences (11 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , 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 (6 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 22 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 8 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (14 reports) and Other theft incidents were also notably high (3 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 22 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 7 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (8 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (6 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (17 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour 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 Other theft (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 (18 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 19 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 19 incidents.

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 115 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 10.45 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 19 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202515
April 202515
March 20256
February 20258
January 20253
December 20247
November 20246
October 202413
September 20245
August 202418
July 202419

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 7 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20254
April 20251
March 20252
February 20256
January 20253
December 20246
November 20244
October 20247
September 20245
August 20243
July 20242

A total of 39 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 3.55 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 6 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20253
April 20255
March 20252
February 20253
January 20252
December 20246
November 20242
October 20245
September 20241
August 20246
July 20244

A total of 187 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 17.00 incidents per month. February 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 22 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202513
April 202511
March 202521
February 202522
January 202514
December 202422
November 20248
October 202417
September 202419
August 202421
July 202419

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

MonthCount
May 20251
September 20241
August 20241

A total of 43 Public order incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 3.91 incidents per month. February 2025 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 6 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20254
April 20252
March 20253
February 20256
January 20253
December 20245
November 20243
October 20246
September 20244
August 20246
July 20241

A total of 20 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 2.22 incidents per month. February 2025 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 6 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 20252
February 20256
January 20251
December 20241
November 20241
October 20243
September 20243
August 20241
July 20242

A total of 11 Burglary incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 1.83 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 3 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 20251
February 20252
December 20242
November 20243
October 20242
August 20241

A total of 7 Other crime incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 1.75 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 3 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 20252
October 20241
September 20241
July 20243

A total of 14 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 1.75 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 4 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20251
February 20253
December 20241
November 20241
October 20241
September 20241
August 20244
July 20242

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

MonthCount
March 20251
October 20241
July 20241

A total of 5 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 1.25 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 20251
November 20241
September 20241
August 20242

A total of 2 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 1.00 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 1 reported cases.

MonthCount
September 20241
July 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 West Purbeck in May 2025

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

1. Middlefield (Map)
Total7
Anti-social behaviour6
Other theft1
2. Giddy Green Lane (Map)
Total4
Anti-social behaviour3
Other theft1
3. Parking Area (Map)
Total3
Criminal damage and arson2
Anti-social behaviour1
4. Queens Drive (Map)
Total3
Public order2
Violence and sexual offences1
5. Pigeon Close (Map)
Total3
Anti-social behaviour2
Violence and sexual offences1
6. High Street (Map)
Total2
Anti-social behaviour1
Drugs1
7. Sandy Drove (Map)
Total2
Violence and sexual offences2
8. The Briars (Map)
Total1
Criminal damage and arson1
9. Back Lane (Map)
Total1
Violence and sexual offences1
10. Toll Gate (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.