Dorset Crime Rate

Dorset presents a notable safety profile, with an overall crime rate of 66.6 per 1,000 people per year. This figure is considerably lower than the UK average of 93.4 per 1,000, positioning Dorset as a safer area. The region boasts a strong safety score of 85 out of 100, surpassing the UK average of 78. In terms of recent trends, Dorset's crime rate has remained stable, experiencing a slight decrease of 2.2% year-over-year. These statistics provide a comprehensive overview of the current crime landscape in Dorset, offering valuable context for residents and visitors.

About Dorset

Dorset, a largely rural and coastal county in South West England, is characterised by its picturesque landscapes, including a significant portion of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. This unique blend of natural beauty and scattered urban settlements contributes to its relatively low overall crime rate and high safety score. The area's economy is largely driven by tourism, agriculture, and a growing creative sector, rather than heavy industry or large-scale commercial centres that might typically attract higher crime rates. Its population of approximately 319,500 is spread across numerous towns and villages, fostering strong community ties in many areas. While popular tourist destinations can experience seasonal increases in certain types of crime, the county's predominantly residential and suburban nature, coupled with a less transient population in many parts, generally supports a safer environment. The local authority's focus on community safety initiatives also plays a role in maintaining these positive statistics.

An analysis of crime types in Dorset reveals that Violence and sexual offences are the most prevalent, accounting for 36.7% of all reported crimes, with 7,976 incidents (25.0 per 1,000 people). Anti-social behaviour follows as the second most common, making up 23.0% of the total with 5,000 recorded crimes (15.7 per 1,000). Criminal damage and arson constitute the third highest category, representing 8.4% of offences with 1,817 incidents (5.7 per 1,000). Focusing on property-related crime, which includes burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and criminal damage and arson, Dorset recorded a rate of 20.7 per 1,000 people per year. This is significantly lower than the UK average property crime rate of 33.2 per 1,000. For residents and homeowners, these figures indicate a relatively lower risk of property-related offences compared to the national picture, though vigilance against the most common crime types remains prudent.

Dorset's crime trends show a stable pattern over the last year, with a marginal decrease of 2.2% in the year-over-year total crime rate. Monthly data illustrates some fluctuations; for instance, the crime rate per 1,000 people saw a peak of 6.7 in July 2025, after a lower point of 4.7 in February 2025. The latter part of 2024 also showed a decreasing trend from 6.4 in October to 4.8 in December. This overall stability suggests that while there are monthly variations, the broader crime landscape in Dorset is not experiencing significant upward or downward shifts, offering a consistent environment for residents.

When compared to its neighbouring regions, Dorset maintains a favourable position. For example, the overall crime rate of 66.6 per 1,000 in Dorset is considerably lower than that of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. It also compares well with areas such as East Devon, New Forest, Bath and North East Somerset, Wiltshire, and Somerset, generally demonstrating a lower crime rate and higher safety score. This regional context highlights Dorset as a comparatively secure area within the wider South West, providing reassurance for those considering living or working in the region.

Protecting Your Property in Dorset

Given Dorset's property crime rate of 20.7 per 1,000 people, which is below the national average, it is still crucial for residents to consider robust home security measures. Traditional CCTV systems often only provide footage after a burglary has occurred, acting reactively rather than proactively. If you are looking for real protection, consider advanced solutions that focus on preventing crime before it happens. Modern AI-powered security operating systems, like scOS, detect threats at your property boundary, rather than after a break-in. By utilising multi-camera intelligence, these systems watch all cameras simultaneously and can even verify vehicles, ensuring only real threats trigger alerts. This proactive approach destroys the element of surprise for potential intruders, making them move on. While DIY systems have their place, professional-grade equipment offers a different level of deterrence, signalling serious protection and actively intervening in real-time to safeguard your home and belongings.