Child Okeford Crime Rate

Child Okeford is a highly secure Dorset village with a safety score of 90/100, significantly outperforming the UK average of 79. Its overall crime rate is 34.6 per 1,000 residents, which is well below the national average of 91.7. However, the area has recently seen an increasing trend, with a 51.4% rise in reported crime year-over-year. While this increase is from a low baseline, it indicates a shift in the local safety environment that residents should be aware of. The village maintains a low property crime rate of 9.8 per 1,000, but specific patterns in burglary and vehicle crime have emerged. This analysis provides a detailed look at these trends and temporal patterns to help the Child Okeford community stay informed and proactive about their safety.

In Child Okeford, the crime landscape is primarily defined by violence and sexual offences, which account for 54.7% of all recorded incidents at a rate of 19.0 per 1,000 residents. This is followed by anti-social behaviour (15.1%) and a joint third place for burglary and vehicle crime, each at 9.4% of the total.

The property crime rate in Child Okeford is 9.8 per 1,000 people, which remains well below the UK average of 32.3. However, the composition of property crime here is notable: burglary and vehicle crime both occur at a rate of 3.3 per 1,000. While these numbers are low in absolute terms, they represent a significant portion of the local crime mix. For residents, the data suggests that while the village is generally very safe, there is a specific vulnerability regarding residential property and vehicles. Most notably, burglary accounts for a staggering 68% of all crimes committed during the afternoon hours (12pm-6pm). This indicates that burglars in the area are specifically targeting homes when residents are likely to be out, making daytime security a priority for local homeowners.

Child Okeford is currently facing a challenging trend, with a 51.4% increase in total crime over the past 12 months. Monthly data from December 2024 to November 2025 shows a volatile crime landscape. The year started with a low rate of 0.7 in January, but quickly rose to peaks of 4.6 per 1,000 in April, May, and July. These peaks were followed by a quieter period in late summer and early autumn, before rising again to 3.9 in November. This increasing trend, particularly the high rates seen in the spring and summer months, suggests that the village has become more active for opportunistic crime. While the overall rate is still low compared to urban areas, this significant year-over-year rise highlights the need for increased community awareness and more robust personal security measures among residents.

How To Keep Safe in Child Okeford

The most common crime in Child Okeford is violence and sexual offences, but the high percentage of burglary and vehicle crime requires specific attention. To stay safe:

1. Prioritise daytime home security. Since 68% of afternoon crimes are burglaries, always lock doors, windows, and gates when leaving the house, even for short periods.
2. Secure your vehicles overnight. Vehicle crime accounts for 55% of night-time offences; use a garage if available, or install a security post on your driveway.
3. Be aware of your surroundings in the evening (6pm-12am), as burglary remains a high risk (45% of incidents) during this time. Ensure your home looks occupied with smart lighting or timers.
4. Report any suspicious vehicles or individuals loitering in the village to the non-emergency police line. Community vigilance is essential given the 51.4% increase in crime.
5. Join the local Neighbourhood Watch to stay informed about specific theft patterns and to coordinate with neighbours on village-wide safety initiatives.

Crime in Child Okeford follows very distinct and unusual temporal patterns. The afternoon (12pm-6pm) is the highest-risk period for residential property, with burglary accounting for a dominant 68% of all recorded incidents. This suggests a pattern of daytime targeting when houses are empty. As night falls (12am-6am), the focus shifts significantly to vehicles, with vehicle crime making up 55% of all night-time offences. The morning and evening hours show a more balanced but still high risk for burglary (38% and 45% respectively). These patterns are highly specific and suggest that criminals in the area are operating with a clear understanding of when properties and vehicles are most vulnerable. Residents should tailor their security measures to these specific windows of risk.

Child Okeford sits in a cluster of very safe Dorset villages. Compared to its immediate neighbours, it has a slightly higher crime rate (34.6) than Iwerne Minster (22.1). Nearby Shillingstone, Shroton, and Okeford Fitzpaine all recorded zero crimes in the latest period, representing the pinnacle of safety. While Child Okeford shows more activity than these smaller hamlets, it remains a very low-crime area in the regional context. For those seeking a safe rural lifestyle, Child Okeford is still an excellent choice, though it currently shows more dynamic crime trends than its most immediate neighbours.

In Child Okeford, the property crime rate of 9.8 per 1,000 is notable for its concentration in specific time periods. With burglary accounting for 68% of afternoon crime and vehicle crime making up 55% of night-time offences, standard security measures may not be enough. Traditional CCTV only records the event, which is of little use if your property is already gone. Proactive protection is the key to stopping these targeted offences. An AI-powered system like scOS is designed to prevent crime at the boundary. By using intelligent sensors to monitor your property 24/7, scOS can identify a potential burglar in the afternoon or a car thief at night before they even touch your property. Autonomous responses, such as activating lights or audio warnings, destroy the element of surprise that criminals rely on. For Child Okeford residents, where crime is on an increasing trend, moving to a proactive system like scOS offers the best chance of ensuring your home does not become part of the statistics.