Dorset Crime Rate November 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Dorset’s November 2025 crime rate of 3.9 per 1,000 residents remained significantly below the UK average of 7.3, a gap of 46.6%. This continued trend positions the area as one of the safest in the country. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (39.2% of all incidents), followed by anti-social behaviour (23.0%) and shoplifting (8.7%). These figures align with Dorset’s character as a largely rural and coastal area, where property crime is typically lower than in urban centres. The sharp rise in theft from the person, however, highlights how concentrated events like Black Friday shopping can temporarily disrupt broader trends. November’s darker evenings and the approach of Bonfire Night likely contributed to increased vigilance and targeted thefts. Violence and sexual offences, while the leading category, were 42% below the UK average, consistent with Dorset’s lower population density and strong community policing efforts. Anti-social behaviour, though still a concern, saw a 15% deficit compared to national rates, possibly reflecting the area’s emphasis on local initiatives to address nuisance crime. The decline in vehicle crime (down 43.9%) may be partly explained by colder weather reducing outdoor activity. These patterns suggest that while Dorset’s overall crime profile is stable, specific seasonal events can create temporary spikes in certain categories.

November 2025 saw a 300% increase in theft from the person, rising from 2 to 8 incidents—a stark contrast to the overall downward trend in Dorset’s crime statistics. This surge coincided with Black Friday shopping, illustrating how concentrated retail events can temporarily elevate specific crime types. Meanwhile, shoplifting increased by 20.2% (109 to 131), suggesting heightened activity during the holiday season. Conversely, vehicle crime dropped by 43.9% (from 66 to 37), potentially linked to reduced outdoor activity as temperatures fell. Violence and sexual offences remained the most common crime type at 39.2% of the total, but they were 42% below the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000. Anti-social behaviour also fell 15% below the UK average, reflecting a broader pattern of lower rates in Dorset. Residents may find the 100% deficit in theft from the person compared to the UK average (0.2 vs 0.0 per 1,000) particularly noteworthy, indicating a marked difference in local crime dynamics.

Dorset's November 2025 crime rate of 3.9 per 1,000 residents marked a 13.2% decline from the previous month's rate of 4.5, continuing a downward trend observed in recent months. This reduction positions the area as one of the safest in the UK, with the overall rate 46.6% below the national average of 7.3. On a daily basis, the local figure of 50 crimes per day (1512 total over 30 days) provides a tangible context for residents, though it remains a low figure by UK standards. Over the course of November, one reported crime occurred for every 258 residents—a monthly exposure rate that underscores the relatively low frequency of incidents. This statistic, when considered alongside Dorset’s population of 389,947, highlights the area’s consistent performance in maintaining public safety. The decline from the prior month aligns with seasonal patterns, as the end of the busy holiday shopping period and shorter daylight hours may have reduced opportunities for certain crimes. However, the sharp increase in theft from the person during Black Friday sales suggests that targeted retail events can still create spikes in specific categories.