Dorset Crime Rate October 2025 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of nearly 390,000, Dorset recorded 1,743 crimes in October 2025, translating to a crime rate of 4.5 per 1,000 residents. This figure is 41.6% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000, marking one of the lowest crime rates in the country. The most prevalent crime types were violence and sexual offences (39.1% of total crimes), followed by anti-social behaviour (25.4%) and criminal damage and arson (6.9%). Seasonal factors likely contribute to these patterns: shorter evenings and Halloween events may have influenced anti-social behaviour and public order incidents, while the transition from autumn to winter could explain fluctuations in property crimes. Violent crime rates in Dorset (1.8 per 1,000) remain 32% below the UK average for this category, suggesting a combination of effective local policing and community factors that reduce interpersonal conflict. The area’s character—likely a mix of rural and coastal communities with smaller towns and tourist attractions—may explain the relatively low levels of vehicle crime and theft from the person compared to more densely populated urban areas. However, the higher proportion of violent offences compared to the UK average (39.1% vs 32% nationally) indicates ongoing challenges in addressing interpersonal crime, which may be linked to local demographics or socioeconomic factors.

October 2025 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with vehicle crime increasing by 61% (41 to 66 incidents) compared to the previous month, possibly linked to seasonal travel or changes in parking habits. Possession of weapons also rose sharply by 50%, though this remains a rare occurrence (0.0 per 1,000), and burglary increased by 29% (62 to 80), which may reflect heightened activity during darker evenings. Conversely, theft from the person dropped by 60% (5 to 2 incidents), due to increased awareness around Halloween or changes in shopping patterns. Anti-social behaviour, the second most common crime, was 13% below the UK average (1.1 vs 1.3 per 1,000), suggesting local efforts to address disruptive behaviour may be effective. The sharp decline in bicycle theft (60% reduction) aligns with broader UK trends, influenced by improved security measures or seasonal inactivity in cycling. These fluctuations highlight the dynamic nature of crime in Dorset, where seasonal transitions and community-specific factors appear to play a significant role in shaping monthly trends.

Dorset’s crime rate rose by 11.5% from 4.0 per 1,000 in September to 4.5 per 1,000 in October 2025.6% below the UK average. Daily crime activity averaged 56 incidents per day, a figure that contextualises the volume of crime in relation to local routines and services. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 224 residents—a monthly exposure rate that is significantly lower than the UK average, which is not provided in the data. For a population of 389,947, this translates to a relatively low risk of becoming a victim, even as the area experiences month-on-month increases in specific crime types. The comparison to the UK average underscores Dorset’s position as a safer area, with violent crime (1.8 per 1,000) and anti-social behaviour (1.1 per 1,000) both well below national benchmarks. However, the rise in vehicle crime and burglary suggests that local conditions—such as increased traffic during holiday periods or seasonal changes in property activity—may require targeted attention. The population-scaled perspective reinforces that while crime rates fluctuate, the overall risk to residents remains comparatively low, reflecting the area’s unique characteristics and policing strategies.