Bridport Crime Rate June 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Bridport's crime rate in June 2023 stood at 5.5 per 1,000 residents, significantly below the UK average of 8.5 per 1,000 — a 35.3% deficit. This performance aligns with Bridport's character as a historically low-crime built-up area within Dorset, where tourism and seasonal activity patterns may moderate criminal activity. The top three crime categories accounted for 61.4% of all reported incidents: anti-social behaviour (29.6%), violence and sexual offences (22.2%), and criminal damage and arson (18.5%). Anti-social behaviour, while lower than the UK average for this category (1.5 per 1,000), remains a focal point in Bridport, likely reflecting the town's community dynamics and local events. Violence and sexual offences in Bridport were 59% below the UK average, consistent with the area's relatively low population density and absence of major nightlife hubs. Seasonal factors may play a role in these patterns: June marks the start of summer, when tourism begins to rise in coastal and rural Dorset areas, increasing foot traffic in public spaces. However, Bridport's crime profile suggests that such activity has not yet translated into higher crime rates, due to the town's compact size and community policing efforts. Criminal damage and arson, though 56% above the UK average for this category, may be linked to local property characteristics or seasonal maintenance activities. The overall crime rate remains stable with the UK average for property crimes, which may be influenced by Bridport's mix of residential and commercial land use.

June 2023 saw stark fluctuations in specific crime categories, with vehicle crime surging by 100% compared to May, jumping from zero to five incidents. This increase could reflect heightened summer traffic, including tourism-related vehicles or increased local events. Bicycle theft also rose by 100%, moving from zero to one reported case, tied to seasonal cycling activity as warmer weather encourages outdoor recreation. Drug-related offences doubled, rising from one to two incidents — a sharp increase that may indicate shifts in local patterns or increased police visibility. Conversely, shoplifting fell by 66.7%, declining from three to one incident, due to reduced tourist footfall or improved retail security measures. Public order offences similarly dropped by two-thirds, from six to two, suggesting a quieter public sphere during the early summer months. Violence and sexual offences decreased by 40%, from 20 to 12, aligning with the UK average for this category (2.9 per 1,000) and reflecting the absence of major festivals or events that might typically drive such incidents. Anti-social behaviour remained the most common category at 29.6% of all crimes, despite being 8% below the UK average for this category. This discrepancy highlights Bridport's unique community dynamics, where anti-social behaviour may be more concentrated in specific areas or linked to local events rather than broader societal trends.

Bridport's crime rate in June 2023 fell by 19.4% compared to the previous month, dropping from 6.8 to 5.5 per 1,000 residents. This decline, while modest, suggests a stabilisation in local crime patterns following a period of fluctuation. On a daily basis, Bridport recorded an average of 2 crimes per day in June — a figure that, while low, reflects the town's small population and compact built-up area. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 184 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is well below the UK average for comparable areas. This statistic underscores Bridport's status as a relatively safe community within Dorset, where crime rates are consistently lower than the national average. The population-scaled perspective reveals that Bridport's residents face a significantly lower risk of experiencing crime compared to the UK average, with the town's crime profile dominated by low-impact incidents such as anti-social behaviour and property damage. This contrast with the UK average is particularly stark in categories like violence and sexual offences, where Bridport's rate was 59% lower than the national figure. The town's low crime rate may be influenced by its size, which facilitates more effective community policing, and its location within Dorset, where broader regional trends suggest a decline in certain types of crime. However, the 100% increase in vehicle crime highlights the need for continued monitoring of specific categories that may be influenced by seasonal or situational factors.