Blandford Forum Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime in Blandford Forum

Blandford Forum, a historic market town in Dorset, reports an overall crime rate of 60.8 per 1,000 residents per year. This figure places Blandford Forum below the UK average crime rate of 93.1 per 1,000, indicating a comparatively safer environment. The safety score for the area stands at a commendable 86 out of 100, which is higher than the UK average safety score of 78. In terms of recent trends, Blandford Forum has experienced a positive development, with a significant 14.2% decrease in its year-over-year crime figures. This introduction provides a concise overview of Blandford Forum's crime landscape, setting the context for a more detailed analysis of its specific crime types and patterns.

Crime Type Analysis in Blandford Forum

An examination of Blandford Forum's crime statistics reveals that 'Violence and sexual offences' are the most prevalent category, accounting for 282 crimes (21.6 per 1,000 residents), representing 35.6% of the total reported incidents. 'Anti-social behaviour' follows as the second most common, with 157 crimes (12.0 per 1,000, 19.8% of total), indicating some public order concerns. 'Criminal damage and arson' ranks as the third highest crime type, with 74 incidents (5.7 per 1,000, 9.3% of total), reflecting incidents of property vandalism.

Focusing on property-related crime, which includes categories such as burglary, shoplifting, other theft, vehicle crime, and bicycle theft, Blandford Forum records a rate of 21.4 per 1,000 people. This is lower than the UK average property crime rate of 32.9 per 1,000. Specific figures show burglary at 39 crimes (3.0 per 1,000, 4.9% of total) and vehicle crime at 46 crimes (3.5 per 1,000, 5.8% of total). For residents and homeowners in Blandford Forum, while the overall property crime rate is below the national average, the presence of shoplifting and vehicle crime indicates a need for vigilance, particularly in commercial areas and regarding vehicle security.

Crime Trends in Blandford Forum

Blandford Forum has experienced a positive and significant shift in its crime figures, with a year-over-year decrease of 14.2%. This indicates a notable improvement in the town's overall safety profile compared to the previous year. Examining the monthly trend data further illustrates this downward trajectory. Crime rates per 1,000 residents fluctuated, starting at 5.5 in November 2024 and experiencing a peak in January 2025 at 6.4, but then generally decreased, settling at 3.6 in October 2025. This consistent reduction in crime rates is a reassuring sign for Blandford Forum residents, suggesting that efforts to improve safety are having a positive impact and contributing to a more secure community environment.

How To Keep Safe in Blandford Forum

With 'Violence and sexual offences' being the most prevalent crime type in Blandford Forum, personal safety should be a key consideration for residents. While the town maintains a good safety score, adopting proactive measures can significantly enhance your security.

Firstly, when out in Blandford Forum, especially in public areas or during evenings, be aware of your surroundings and avoid walking alone in poorly lit or secluded spots. Secondly, if you are socialising, ensure you have a plan for getting home safely, such as pre-booking a taxi or arranging a lift. Thirdly, avoid escalating confrontational situations and try to remove yourself if you feel threatened. Lastly, report any instances of violence or suspicious behaviour to the local police immediately, as this helps to maintain the community's safety. These localised tips are important for navigating Blandford Forum securely.

Understanding Time-Based Crime Patterns in Blandford Forum

Crime in Blandford Forum exhibits distinct patterns throughout the day. In the 'Morning' period (6am-12pm), 'Theft' is the most prevalent crime type at 38%, followed by 'Other' crimes at 33%, with 'Burglary' and 'Vehicle' crimes also present. The 'Afternoon' (12pm-6pm) sees 'Theft' remaining high at 43%, while 'Burglary' increases to 19%, and 'Other' crimes are 31%. This suggests a high incidence of opportunistic crimes during busy daylight hours.

As the day moves into 'Evening' (6pm-12am), 'Other' crimes become the largest category at 51%, and 'Theft' reduces to 16%. 'Burglary' is 16%, and 'Vehicle' crime is 17%. During the 'Night' (12am-6am), 'Vehicle' crime becomes the dominant type at 40%, with 'Other' crimes at 34%, and 'Burglary' at 18%. 'Theft' is lowest at 7%. These patterns highlight specific periods when residents should be particularly attentive to different types of crime in Blandford Forum.

Crime Comparison with Nearby Areas

To better understand Blandford Forum's crime rates, it's useful to examine its neighbouring areas. Blandford Forum has an overall crime rate of 60.8 per 1,000 people per year. In comparison, Charlton Marshall reports a significantly lower rate of 25.0 crimes per 1,000 people/year, suggesting a safer environment. Pimperne has an exceptionally low rate of 10.6 crimes per 1,000 people/year. Areas such as Bryanston and Ash (Dorset) report exceptionally low crime rates of 0.0 crimes per 1,000 people/year. While these extremely low figures may indicate limited data, they highlight a regional contrast. This comparison helps residents understand Blandford Forum's safety profile within its immediate locality, showing it to be moderately safe relative to its very low-crime neighbours.

Proactive Security for Your Blandford Forum Property

With Blandford Forum's property crime rate at 21.4 per 1,000 people, which is below the UK average, residents should still consider robust home security. Traditional security solutions often fall short by merely recording a crime after it's happened, offering little in the way of actual prevention.

For superior protection, an AI-powered home security operating system like scOS offers a proactive solution. Unlike typical cameras that provide footage of a burglary, scOS is engineered to prevent it by detecting threats at your property's boundary. Its multi-camera intelligence ensures no blind spots, and advanced features such as DVLA vehicle verification can identify suspicious vehicles instantly. scOS learns your household's routines, accurately distinguishing between normal activity and genuine threats, thereby minimising false alarms. The system's autonomous response, including activating lights and engaging speakers, is designed to deter intruders effectively, often causing them to move on within the first minute. Investing in such professional-grade, proactive security ensures your Blandford Forum home is safeguarded with advanced deterrence, offering true peace of mind.