Dorset Crime Rate

Dorset is one of the safest regions in the UK, with an overall crime rate of 54.1 per 1,000 residents, significantly lower than the national average of 91.7. The county holds an impressive safety score of 88/100, reflecting its largely rural and peaceful character. Recent data from December 2024 to November 2025 shows a encouraging downward trend, with total crime decreasing by 6.2% compared to the previous year. This improvement reinforces Dorset's reputation as a secure place to live and visit. While personal safety remains high, the area is not without its challenges, particularly regarding seasonal anti-social behaviour. The following sections provide a detailed analysis of crime types and local trends to help residents understand their local safety environment.

Dorset is a largely rural and coastal local authority, characterised by its historic market towns, the Jurassic Coast World Heritage site, and significant areas of outstanding natural beauty. These characteristics heavily influence its crime statistics. The area's economy is bolstered by tourism, which brings a transient population during the summer months, often leading to seasonal fluctuations in anti-social behaviour and petty theft.

The demographics of Dorset include a higher-than-average proportion of retirees, which generally correlates with lower rates of violent crime compared to more urbanised regions. However, the rural nature of much of the county presents unique challenges, such as rural theft and the isolation of certain properties. Major employers in the region are focused on tourism, agriculture, and local government, with fewer high-density industrial hubs. This lack of large-scale urban deprivation, combined with a strong sense of community in its villages, contributes to Dorset's high safety score and relatively low overall crime rate.

Crime Breakdown in Dorset

In Dorset, the most frequent reports concern violence and sexual offences, making up 37.4% of all recorded crime. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 23.9% and criminal damage and arson at 8.2%. These figures show that while personal safety is the primary focus of local policing, community-level disruption through ASB remains a significant factor for residents.

Property crime in Dorset is relatively low compared to the national average, with a rate of 16.1 per 1,000 people. This includes 790 burglaries and 688 vehicle crimes over the past year. Shoplifting and 'other theft' also feature in the top five crime types, often concentrated in the county's market towns. For homeowners, the statistics suggest that while the risk of burglary is lower than in many parts of the UK, the impact of criminal damage and theft remains a relevant concern. Maintaining a visible security presence is often enough to deter the opportunistic crime that typically occurs in these lower-density areas.

The crime trend in Dorset is currently on a clear downward trajectory, with total offences falling by 6.2% over the last 12 months. Monthly data from December 2024 to November 2025 shows that the crime rate per 1,000 people remained consistently low, starting at 4.0 and ending at 3.9.

There was a visible seasonal spike during the summer months, reaching a peak of 5.7 in July 2025. This is a common pattern for coastal counties like Dorset, where an influx of visitors can lead to a temporary rise in reported incidents. However, the rate quickly stabilised, dropping back to 4.0 by September. For residents, this trend is highly positive, suggesting that the underlying crime levels are not only low but are actively being reduced. The seasonal nature of the peak suggests that the most significant risks are temporary and tied to the county's popularity as a holiday destination.

Dorset sits within a relatively low-crime part of the South West. When compared to the neighbouring unitary authority of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, Dorset is significantly quieter and safer. Other surrounding areas like East Devon, Wiltshire, and Somerset also maintain low crime rates (appearing as 0.0 in recent comparative data), suggesting a consistent regional trend of high safety scores. The New Forest to the east also shares a similar profile of rural safety. For those seeking a balance between coastal beauty and a secure living environment, Dorset stands out as a top performer in the region, offering lower incident rates than the larger urban conurbations nearby.

Dorset's property crime rate of 16.1 per 1,000 residents is among the lowest in the country, but the impact of burglary or theft on a rural or suburban home can still be devastating. Traditional security often relies on reactive measures—cameras that record a crime as it happens or alarms that sound only after a window is smashed.

In a county like Dorset, where police response times to remote areas can be longer, proactive protection is essential. The scOS system uses AI to monitor your property boundaries in real-time, identifying threats before they escalate. With multi-camera intelligence and DVLA vehicle verification, it can distinguish between a delivery driver and a suspicious vehicle scouting the area. By triggering autonomous responses like lighting or voice alerts, scOS destroys the element of surprise that burglars rely on. For Dorset residents, especially those in more isolated properties, moving from reactive recording to proactive prevention is the most effective way to maintain the county's high standard of safety.

How To Keep Safe in Dorset

The most frequently reported crime in Dorset is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for 37.4% of total incidents. While Dorset is generally very safe, it is wise to remain aware of your surroundings, particularly in town centres during weekend evenings. If you are out late, try to stay with friends and use well-lit routes when walking to your car or home.

Anti-social behaviour is the second most common issue, often peaking during the summer tourist season. To mitigate this, ensure your property is well-defined with clear boundaries and good external lighting. For homeowners, even though burglary rates are low (2.0 per 1,000), it is important to secure garden sheds and outbuildings, as these are often targets for opportunistic theft in rural areas. Keeping high-value garden equipment or bicycles locked away and out of sight is a simple but effective deterrent. Joining a local 'Farm Watch' or 'Village Watch' scheme can also provide valuable alerts about suspicious activity in your specific area.