Grove (Dorset) Crime Rate

Grove (Dorset) presents a safety profile that is better than the UK average in many respects, despite an overall crime rate of 99.2 per 1,000 residents. With a safety score of 73/100, the area remains more secure than the national average safety score of 50. While the headline crime figure is slightly above the UK average of 91.7, it is important to note that property crime is exceptionally low at just 11.8 per 1,000. Recent data shows an increasing trend of 10.3% year-over-year, which warrants attention, though the risk to residents' homes and vehicles remains minimal compared to national benchmarks. This analysis explores the specific nature of crime in Grove, providing context on when and where offences occur to help the community stay informed and secure.

In Grove (Dorset), the crime landscape is heavily dominated by violence and sexual offences, which make up 57.5% of all reported incidents. This category occurs at a rate of 57.1 per 1,000 residents, which is the primary driver of the area's overall crime rate. The second and third most common offences are anti-social behaviour (15.6%) and 'other crime' (8.8%), which includes various miscellaneous offences.

Interestingly, despite a high overall crime rate, property crime in Grove is remarkably low. The property crime rate—encompassing burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and criminal damage—stands at just 11.8 per 1,000 people. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.3. Breaking this down, criminal damage and arson are the most frequent in this category at 7.4 per 1,000, while burglary and vehicle crime are both extremely rare, each occurring at a rate of only 0.6 per 1,000. For homeowners, this data suggests that while the area has a higher-than-average volume of personal and social offences, the risk of traditional property-targeted crime like break-ins or car theft is actually very low compared to national standards. This creates a unique safety profile where personal awareness is more critical than high-level property fortification.

The crime trend in Grove is currently on an upward trajectory, with a 10.3% increase in total offences over the past year. Monthly data from December 2024 to November 2025 shows considerable variability in the crime rate per 1,000 residents. The year began with relatively low figures in January (4.3), but saw a significant spike in March, reaching a peak of 13.7. Following this, the rate fluctuated between 5.0 and 9.3 for much of the spring and summer. Another period of increased activity occurred in the autumn, with October recording a high of 11.2. This trend suggests that Grove is experiencing periods of heightened social friction. However, it is important to note that property crime has not followed this rising trend, remaining consistently low throughout the year. For residents, the data indicates that while the area is becoming busier from a policing perspective, the fundamental safety of homes and vehicles remains stable.

How To Keep Safe in Grove (Dorset)

The highest crime type in Grove is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for over half of all recorded incidents. To stay safe in the community:

1. Be aware of your surroundings when walking in the evening and night, as these are the periods when 'other' crimes and social disturbances are most likely to occur.
2. Ensure external property lighting is functional; even though property crime is low, well-lit entrances deter anti-social behaviour and loitering.
3. Report any instances of anti-social behaviour to the local authorities early. ASB is the second most common issue in Grove, and early reporting helps police manage hotspots effectively.
4. If you are out during the afternoon (12pm-6pm), ensure your home is locked. Although rare, this period sees a slightly higher percentage of theft-related activity.
5. Engage with local community groups or the Neighbourhood Watch to stay updated on local safety trends and police initiatives on the island.

Crime timing in Grove shows a clear bias towards the later hours of the day. During the morning (6am-12pm) and afternoon (12pm-6pm), theft-related offences are at their highest proportional levels, accounting for 40% and 45% of crimes respectively. This suggests that daytime activity is often linked to opportunistic theft. However, as the day moves into the evening and night, the pattern shifts dramatically toward 'other' crimes, which include anti-social behaviour and public order offences. In the evening (6pm-12am), these make up 73% of incidents, and in the night (12am-6am), they account for 68%. Property-specific crimes like burglary and vehicle crime remain very low throughout all periods, though they see a slight proportional increase during the night, with burglary rising to 8% of night-time activity.

Grove sits within a varied regional context on the Isle of Portland and near Weymouth. Its crime rate of 99.2 is almost identical to Weymouth (99.4), but notably higher than nearby Weston (77.9) and Fortuneswell (71.8). Southwell remains the safest nearby area with a much lower rate of 34.6. However, Grove distinguishes itself with a very low property crime rate of 11.8, which is often lower than its neighbours. This suggests that while Grove experiences a higher volume of social and personal offences, it is one of the more secure locations in the area for property and vehicle safety. For those considering the region, Grove offers a unique balance of high overall activity but low residential risk.

In Grove, where the property crime rate is a low 11.8 per 1,000, the focus of home security should be on maintaining that safety and deterring the higher levels of anti-social behaviour seen in the area. Traditional security systems are reactive; they record an incident and notify you after it has occurred. For a resident in Grove, where violence and ASB are more common, the goal is to prevent any form of intrusion or harassment at the property line. An AI-powered system like scOS provides this proactive edge. By monitoring all camera feeds simultaneously, scOS can distinguish between a neighbour and a potential threat. If an unauthorised individual loiters near your boundary, the system can autonomously activate lights or audio warnings. This 'active deterrence' is far more effective at protecting a household than a camera that simply records footage of a disturbance. In an area with an increasing crime trend, scOS ensures your home remains a sanctuary by stopping threats before they escalate.