Charminster Crime Rate

Crime Statistics in Charminster

Charminster, an urban settlement with a population of 2,431, boasts an exceptionally low overall crime rate of 25.5 per 1,000 people per year. This figure is significantly lower than the UK average crime rate of 93.1 per 1,000, positioning Charminster as a very safe community. The area's safety score is an impressive 93 out of 100, far exceeding the UK average of 78, which underscores its high level of security for residents. In terms of recent trends, Charminster has experienced a positive development, with a substantial 27.1% decrease in its overall crime rate year-over-year. This notable reduction signifies an improving safety landscape for the area. This report offers a detailed overview of crime types, trends, and safety advice pertinent to Charminster.

Crime Breakdown in Charminster

In Charminster, Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type, accounting for 48.4% of all incidents, with 30 crimes (12.3 per 1,000 residents). Anti-social behaviour is the second most frequent, making up 16.1% with 10 incidents (4.1 per 1,000), followed by Other theft at 9.7% with 6 incidents (2.5 per 1,000).

Property-related crime in Charminster, which includes burglary, criminal damage and arson, vehicle crime, other theft, and shoplifting, collectively stands at 6.6% of all crimes. Specifically, there was 1 burglary (0.4 per 1,000), 4 criminal damage and arson incidents (1.6 per 1,000), 4 vehicle crimes (1.6 per 1,000), 6 other thefts (2.5 per 1,000), and 1 shoplifting incident (0.4 per 1,000). The combined property crime rate of 6.6 per 1,000 is substantially lower than the UK average property crime rate of 32.9 per 1,000, indicating a very low risk for homeowners. Despite the low overall crime, understanding these specific categories helps residents take targeted preventative measures.

Crime Trends in Charminster

Charminster has experienced a highly positive trend in its crime statistics, with a substantial 27.1% decrease in the overall crime rate year-over-year. This marks a significant improvement in the area's safety profile. Reviewing the monthly trend data reveals fluctuations, but with an overall downward trajectory. Crime rates per 1,000 residents were 1.7 in November 2024, dipping to 0.4 in February and June 2025, followed by a peak of 3.7 in August. However, the rates consistently fell towards the end of the period, reaching 2.5 in October 2025. This strong year-on-year reduction, despite some monthly variations, indicates effective crime prevention efforts and a general enhancement of safety for the residents of Charminster.

How To Keep Safe in Charminster

Given that Violence and sexual offences are the most prevalent crime types in Charminster, residents are advised to prioritise personal safety and awareness in their daily lives.

1. Increase Situational Awareness: Always be aware of your surroundings, especially when walking alone or in dimly lit areas. Avoid distractions like mobile phones.
2. Travel in Groups: Where possible, especially during evenings or late nights, travel with friends or family. There is safety in numbers, which can deter potential offenders.
3. Report Suspicious Behaviour: If you notice any suspicious individuals or activities, report them to the police immediately. Early intervention can prevent more serious incidents.
4. Secure Your Home: While these crimes are often personal, ensuring your home is secure can prevent related issues like criminal damage or opportunistic entry.
5. Community Engagement: Participate in local Neighbourhood Watch groups or community forums to collectively address and mitigate local safety concerns.

Time Patterns of Crime in Charminster

Crime patterns in Charminster show distinct variations across different times of the day. During the morning hours (6am-12pm), theft-related offences are most prominent, accounting for 54% of crimes, followed by vehicle crime at 23% and 'Other' crimes at 18%. Burglary also accounts for 5% during this period. The afternoon period (12pm-6pm) sees theft remain the highest category at 65%, with vehicle crime at 9% and 'Other' crimes at 17%. In the evening (6pm-12am), vehicle crime significantly peaks at 29%, with 'Other' crimes at 34% and theft dropping to 27%. During the night (12am-6am), vehicle crime reaches its highest point at 59%, followed by 'Other' crimes at 20% and theft at 11%. These patterns highlight a persistent threat of vehicle crime, particularly overnight, suggesting residents should be vigilant about vehicle security.

Nearby Areas Comparison

To understand Charminster's crime rate in a broader context, it's beneficial to compare it with similar nearby settlements. Charminster boasts a remarkably low crime rate of 25.5 per 1,000 people per year. In stark contrast, Charlton Down and Stinsford, Lower Bockhampton and Kingston Maurward both report exceptionally low rates of 0.0 crimes per 1,000, indicating highly peaceful communities. Dorchester (Dorset), a larger nearby town, has a significantly higher crime rate of 74.4 per 1,000. Winterborne St Martin has a higher crime rate of 38.7 per 1,000. These comparisons highlight that Charminster is a very safe area, albeit with some even more tranquil, often smaller, communities in its immediate vicinity. Its crime rate remains well below the regional average, reinforcing its reputation as a secure place to live.

Protection Against Crime in Charminster

With Charminster experiencing a very low property crime rate of 6.6 per 1,000, residents still benefit from robust home security. Traditional security measures, while helpful, often fall short of true prevention, merely recording events after a breach. scOS offers a paradigm shift with its AI-powered proactive protection system. Instead of simply documenting a burglary, scOS actively works to prevent it by detecting threats at your property boundary. Its multi-camera intelligence ensures comprehensive surveillance, never missing a detail, and features like DVLA vehicle verification swiftly identify suspicious vehicles. By learning your routines, scOS intelligently filters out false alarms, only alerting you to genuine threats. This autonomous system can activate lights and engage speakers, destroying an intruder's element of surprise and often causing them to abandon their attempt within 60 seconds. For those seeking genuine peace of mind and prevention over mere reaction, scOS represents a significant upgrade in home security, aligning with the desire to maintain a safe environment.