Crime Rate in West Purbeck: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in West Purbeck

The total recorded crimes in West Purbeck, Dorset, UK in July 2025 are around 113 as per the recent police data. This equates to a West Purbeck crime rate of 33.68 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 Jul were:

  • Anti-social behaviour: (62) incidents (287.50% increase)
  • Violence and sexual offences: (28) incidents (180.00% increase)
  • Criminal damage and arson: (6) incidents (500.00% increase)
West Purbeck Crime Hotspots

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

  • Giddy Green Lane with total crimes: 51
  • Middlefield with total crimes: 4
  • Duncan Place 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 July 2025 the West Purbeck has recorded 113 crimes with crime rate of 33.68 ranking 2th 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.

AreaJuly 202520242023
CrimesRank (West Purbeck)CrimesRank (West Purbeck)CrimesRank (West Purbeck)
Melcombe Regis195 12,265 12,048 1
Portland93 61,209 21,022 2
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
Swanage45 18571 19774 9
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

West Purbeck Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

July 2025 crime data shows Anti-social behaviour saw the largest number of reported crimes with 62 incidents, and Violence and sexual offences was another prevalent crime category with 28 incidents.

During June 2025, The highest incident rate was for Anti-social behaviour (16 reports) and Violence and sexual offences incidents were also notably high (10 cases).

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).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 42 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 3.50 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 6 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20256
June 20251
May 20253
April 20255
March 20252
February 20253
January 20252
December 20246
November 20242
October 20245
September 20241
August 20246

A total of 206 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 17.17 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 28 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202528
June 202510
May 202513
April 202511
March 202521
February 202522
January 202514
December 202422
November 20248
October 202417
September 202419
August 202421

A total of 18 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 2.00 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 5 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20255
June 20251
March 20251
February 20253
December 20241
November 20241
October 20241
September 20241
August 20244

A total of 174 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 14.50 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 62 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202562
June 202516
May 202515
April 202515
March 20256
February 20258
January 20253
December 20247
November 20246
October 202413
September 20245
August 202418

A total of 6 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.50 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20252
April 20252
October 20241
September 20241

A total of 46 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 3.83 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 7 reported cases.

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

A total of 54 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 4.50 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 7 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20255
June 20257
May 20254
April 20252
March 20253
February 20256
January 20253
December 20245
November 20243
October 20246
September 20244
August 20246

A total of 19 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 2.11 incidents per month. February 2025 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 6 reported cases.

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

A total of 13 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.86 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 3 reported cases.

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

A total of 3 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 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 2 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 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

A total of 5 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 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 1 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 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

High Crime Locations West Purbeck in July 2025

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

1. Giddy Green Lane (Map)
Total51
Anti-social behaviour47
Violence and sexual offences3
Vehicle crime1
2. Middlefield (Map)
Total4
Anti-social behaviour3
Other crime1
3. Duncan Place (Map)
Total3
Public order2
Anti-social behaviour1
4. Alamein Road (Map)
Total3
Violence and sexual offences3
5. Water Lane (Map)
Total3
Violence and sexual offences3
6. Pigeon Close (Map)
Total3
Violence and sexual offences2
Criminal damage and arson1
7. Cockles (Map)
Total2
Criminal damage and arson1
Violence and sexual offences1
8. Holme Lane (Map)
Total2
Shoplifting2
9. Chalk Pit Lane (Map)
Total2
Other crime1
Violence and sexual offences1
10. High Street (Map)
Total2
Public order1
Shoplifting1

  • 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.