Dorchester (Dorset) Crime Rate

Crime statistics for Dorchester (Dorset), spanning January 2025 to December 2025, indicate a crime rate of 72.5 incidents per 1,000 residents. This is lower than the UK average of 91.6 per 1,000, suggesting Dorchester is generally safer than many areas of the country, as reflected in its safety score of 84/100. However, understanding the specifics of crime within the area is crucial for ensuring the safety and wellbeing of residents. The data highlights particular areas of concern, which will be explored in more detail below. Overall, while Dorchester benefits from a comparatively lower crime rate, continued vigilance and proactive measures remain essential.

The most recent data for Dorchester (Dorset), covering January 2025 to December 2025, reveals a concerning pattern of crime types. Violence and sexual offences account for the largest proportion, representing 33.2% of all recorded crimes, totaling 551 incidents. Anti-social behaviour follows closely behind at 24.4%, with 406 reported cases. Shoplifting also presents a significant issue, contributing 13.6% of incidents and a total of 226 crimes. Overall property crime, encompassing theft and criminal damage, is a notable concern, registering at 24.0 per 1,000 residents. The prevalence of these specific crime types likely reflects a combination of factors including the area's demographics, the level of economic activity, and the overall social environment. Further investigation into the root causes of these crimes would be beneficial for developing targeted prevention strategies.

Crime rates in Dorchester have been decreasing steadily since January 2025, culminating in a 9.7% year-on-year reduction. Monthly data demonstrates this downward trend, although fluctuations are observed. For example, crime rates peaked in October 2025 at 7.6 per 1,000, before decreasing to 5.1 per 1,000 in December 2025. This overall decline suggests successful crime prevention strategies or changes in reporting practices. However, the monthly variations highlight the importance of ongoing monitoring and adaptive policing techniques to maintain this positive trend.

How To Keep Safe in Dorchester

Given the prevalence of violence and sexual offences, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings, particularly when walking alone at night. Consider travelling in groups or using well-lit routes. To address the issue of shoplifting, be mindful of your belongings in public spaces and report any suspicious behaviour to the authorities. With anti-social behaviour also a concern, participate in community initiatives and report incidents to help create a safer environment. Finally, secure your vehicles by locking them and removing valuables to reduce the risk of vehicle crime.

Crime in Dorchester exhibits a pattern influenced by the time of day. During the morning (6am-12pm), burglaries account for 8% of incidents, with theft being the dominant crime. The afternoon (12pm-6pm) sees theft remain the most prevalent crime, but burglaries account for 14%. The evening (6pm-12am) sees a shift, with an increase in violence and a decrease in theft. Overnight (12am-6am), burglaries increase, and vehicle crime becomes a more significant concern, representing 37% of incidents. This suggests a need for increased vigilance during nighttime hours and focused patrols in areas prone to vehicle crime.

Dorchester’s crime rate of 72.5 per 1,000 residents places it within a varied context when compared to surrounding areas. Charminster exhibits a significantly lower rate at 25.1 per 1,000, suggesting a safer environment. In contrast, Winterborne St Martin has a higher rate of 40.6 per 1,000, indicating a potentially greater risk. The stark contrast of Stinsford, Lower Bockhampton and Kingston Maurward, with a rate of 0.0 per 1,000, highlights the wide variation in safety across Dorset. These differences likely reflect a combination of factors, including population density, economic activity, and local policing strategies.

Traditional CCTV systems offer a record of events, but often only after a crime has occurred. Reading crime statistics is one thing. Actually stopping threats at your property line is another. scOS offers a proactive approach to home security, utilising AI to detect potential threats before they escalate. Its multi-camera intelligence system watches all cameras simultaneously, identifying suspicious activity at the property boundary, while DVLA vehicle verification instantly flags fake plates. Pattern learning recognises family members and deliveries, minimising false alarms. Autonomous response features, such as activating lights and speakers, create an element of surprise, often deterring potential intruders. The right security system makes that 60-second decision easy - they move on.