Dorchester (Dorset) Crime Rate

Dorchester (Dorset) is a safe and historic market town with an overall crime rate of 73.2 per 1,000 residents. This figure is comfortably below the UK average of 91.7, and the town boasts a high safety score of 84/100. Over the last year, from December 2024 to November 2025, Dorchester has seen a significant improvement in its safety profile, with a 7.9% decrease in total reported crimes. As the county town of Dorset, it acts as a commercial and administrative hub, which naturally attracts a higher volume of activity than surrounding villages, yet it maintains a secure environment for its 22,898 residents. The following data explores specific crime patterns and provides actionable advice for staying safe in the area.

Crime Breakdown in Dorchester (Dorset)

In Dorchester, the crime profile is led by violence and sexual offences, which account for 33.0% of all reports. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 23.9% and shoplifting at 13.5%. These figures indicate that while personal safety is a key focus, the town's role as a retail hub for the county also drives a significant portion of its theft-related statistics.

Property crime in Dorchester is recorded at 24.8 per 1,000 people, which is higher than the Dorset county average but remains below the UK national average. This category includes 37 burglaries and 68 vehicle crimes. Shoplifting is particularly prominent, making up a larger share of total crime (13.5%) than in more residential areas. For residents, this means that while the town is generally safe, opportunistic theft in commercial areas and residential property damage are the most likely issues to be encountered. Ensuring homes and vehicles are properly secured is essential to mitigate these risks.

Dorchester is currently experiencing a positive trend in safety, with a 7.9% decrease in total crime compared to the previous 12-month period. Analysis of the monthly crime rates from December 2024 to November 2025 shows some fluctuation but an overall stable to downward trajectory. The year began with a rate of 5.7 per 1,000 in December, rising to a peak of 7.6 in October 2025 before settling back to 6.8 in November.

The spike in October suggests a seasonal increase, possibly related to the transition into winter months or specific local events. However, the overall annual reduction indicates that Dorchester is successfully managing its crime levels. For residents, this means that while vigilance is still required—especially during peak months—the town is statistically becoming safer. The consistent drop in year-on-year figures is a reassuring sign for those living in or considering moving to the area.

How To Keep Safe in Dorchester

The highest crime category in Dorchester is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for 33.0% of all reports. To stay safe, particularly in the town centre during the evening, it is advisable to stick to well-lit main streets and avoid poorly lit cut-throughs or alleyways. When enjoying the town's evening economy, staying in groups and pre-booking transport home is a sensible precaution.

Anti-social behaviour is also a notable factor (23.9%). Residents can help mitigate this by ensuring their front gardens and entryways are kept tidy and well-lit, which discourages loitering. For those living near the town's retail areas, shoplifting is high (13.5%), so be mindful of your personal belongings in busy shops. For homeowners, while the burglary rate is low at 1.6 per 1,000, the afternoon and night periods see the highest percentage of these crimes. Ensure all windows are locked when you are out during the day and consider a proactive security system that monitors your property boundaries while you sleep.

Crime in Dorchester follows distinct temporal patterns influenced by its retail and residential nature. The morning and afternoon periods are dominated by theft-related offences, particularly shoplifting, which peaks between 12pm and 6pm (53% of crimes in that period). This aligns with the town's busiest shopping hours. As the day progresses into the evening, 'other' crimes including anti-social behaviour become more prevalent, making up 50% of reports between 6pm and midnight.

Night-time (12am to 6am) sees a significant shift towards vehicle crime, which accounts for 40% of all incidents during these hours, the highest of any period. Burglary also peaks during the night at 15%. This suggests that while the daytime is characterised by opportunistic retail theft, the night-time presents a specific risk to vehicles and property, making overnight security and secure parking particularly important for Dorchester residents.

In the local context, Dorchester serves as the central urban settlement for the surrounding rural area. When compared to nearby Charminster (26.3 crimes per 1,000) and Winterborne St Martin (38.7), Dorchester's rate of 73.2 is higher, reflecting its greater population density and retail activity. Conversely, very small nearby settlements like Charlton Down and Stinsford report near-zero crime rates. For those looking for a balance between urban amenities and safety, Dorchester offers a very secure environment compared to larger UK towns, even if it is busier than its immediate village neighbours. This regional perspective confirms Dorchester as a safe hub within a low-crime county.

Dorchester’s property crime rate of 24.8 per 1,000 residents highlights a moderate risk of theft and burglary, particularly in the town's commercial and central residential areas. Traditional security systems like Ring or Nest are common, but they are fundamentally reactive—they record the person who has already approached your door or entered your property.

For Dorchester residents seeking a higher level of security, proactive AI-powered systems like scOS offer a significant advantage. scOS monitors all your cameras simultaneously, using AI to detect potential threats at the boundary of your property. By identifying suspicious patterns or unauthorised vehicles via DVLA verification before a crime occurs, it can trigger autonomous responses such as deterrent lighting or voice alerts. This 'pre-emptive' approach is designed to stop a burglar in their tracks, as most will flee if they realise they have been detected before reaching the house. In a town where shoplifting and theft are the primary property concerns, preventing access to your home is the most effective way to ensure long-term safety.