Sandford (Dorset) Crime Rate

Crime Statistics in Sandford (Dorset)

Sandford (Dorset), an urban settlement with a population of 2,573, reports an overall crime rate of 65.7 per 1,000 people per year. This figure is lower than the UK average crime rate of 93.1 per 1,000, suggesting Sandford (Dorset) is a comparatively safer area. The area's safety score is 85 out of 100, which is higher than the UK average of 78, indicating a good level of security for residents. In terms of recent trends, Sandford (Dorset) has experienced an increase in its overall crime rate, with a 32.0% rise year-over-year. This upward trend suggests a need for increased vigilance and community safety efforts. This report provides a detailed overview of crime types, trends, and safety advice pertinent to Sandford (Dorset).

Crime Breakdown in Sandford (Dorset)

In Sandford (Dorset), Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type, accounting for 30.8% of all incidents, with 52 crimes (20.2 per 1,000 residents). Anti-social behaviour is the second most frequent, making up 24.3% with 41 incidents (15.9 per 1,000), followed by Other theft at 12.4% with 21 incidents (8.2 per 1,000).

Property-related crime in Sandford (Dorset), which includes burglary, robbery, criminal damage and arson, vehicle crime, other theft, and shoplifting, collectively stands at 26.8% of all crimes. Specifically, there were 18 burglaries (7.0 per 1,000), 1 robbery (0.4 per 1,000), 14 criminal damage and arson incidents (5.4 per 1,000), 8 vehicle crimes (3.1 per 1,000), 21 other thefts (8.2 per 1,000), and 7 shoplifting incidents (2.7 per 1,000). The combined property crime rate of 26.8 per 1,000 is lower than the UK average property crime rate of 32.9 per 1,000, but still warrants attention. Residents should be aware of these figures to implement appropriate security measures, particularly given the notable presence of burglary and other theft.

Crime Trends in Sandford (Dorset)

Sandford (Dorset) has experienced an increasing trend in its crime statistics, with a significant 32.0% rise in the overall crime rate year-over-year. This indicates a need for increased vigilance among residents. Looking at the monthly trend data, crime rates per 1,000 residents have shown fluctuations. Rates were 2.7 in November 2024, rising to 5.1 in December and dipping to 2.7 in January 2025, before a notable peak of 8.9 in March and April 2025. Following these peaks, rates varied, including 5.4 in July and 6.6 in September, before settling at 4.7 in October 2025. Despite these monthly changes, the overall year-on-year increase suggests a need for continued community and police efforts to address the rising crime rates in Sandford (Dorset).

How To Keep Safe in Sandford (Dorset)

Given that Violence and sexual offences are the most prevalent crime types in Sandford (Dorset), residents are advised to prioritise personal safety and awareness in their daily lives.

1. Increase Situational Awareness: Always be aware of your surroundings, especially when walking alone or in dimly lit areas. Avoid distractions like mobile phones.
2. Travel in Groups: Where possible, especially during evenings or late nights, travel with friends or family. There is safety in numbers, which can deter potential offenders.
3. Report Suspicious Behaviour: If you notice any suspicious individuals or activities, report them to the police immediately. Early intervention can prevent more serious incidents.
4. Secure Your Home: While these crimes are often personal, ensuring your home is secure can prevent related issues like criminal damage or opportunistic entry.
5. Community Engagement: Participate in local Neighbourhood Watch groups or community forums to collectively address and mitigate local safety concerns.

Time Patterns of Crime in Sandford (Dorset)

Crime patterns in Sandford (Dorset) show distinct variations across different times of the day. During the morning hours (6am-12pm), theft-related offences are most prominent, accounting for 52% of crimes, followed by 'Other' crimes at 19% and burglary at 18%. Vehicle crime also accounts for 11% during this period. The afternoon period (12pm-6pm) also sees theft as the highest category at 52%, with burglary peaking at 28% and 'Other' crimes at 15%. In the evening (6pm-12am), 'Other' crimes, which can include anti-social behaviour and public order offences, become the most dominant, reaching 35% of incidents, while burglary is 30% and theft drops to 23%. During the night (12am-6am), burglary reaches its highest point at 36%, followed by vehicle crime at 30% and 'Other' crimes at 23%. These patterns highlight a persistent threat of burglary throughout the day, peaking significantly during the night, suggesting properties are particularly vulnerable when residents are away or asleep.

Nearby Areas Comparison

To understand Sandford (Dorset)'s crime rate in a broader context, it's beneficial to compare it with similar nearby settlements. Sandford (Dorset) reports an overall crime rate of 65.7 per 1,000 people per year. In stark contrast, Holton Heath and Ridge both report exceptionally low rates of 0.0 crimes per 1,000, indicating highly peaceful communities. Wareham, a larger nearby town, has a lower crime rate of 51.7 per 1,000. Stoborough has a lower crime rate of 41.6 per 1,000. These comparisons highlight that while Sandford (Dorset) has a crime rate below the UK average, there are also more tranquil, often smaller, communities in its immediate vicinity. Its crime rate remains below the regional average, reinforcing its reputation as a secure place to live.

Protection Against Crime in Sandford (Dorset)

With Sandford (Dorset) experiencing a property crime rate of 26.8 per 1,000, robust home security is an important consideration for residents. Traditional security systems often provide footage after an incident, which is reactive and doesn't prevent the initial breach. For superior protection, proactive deterrence is essential. scOS, an AI-powered home security operating system, is designed to prevent crime before it happens. It achieves this by using multi-camera intelligence to detect threats at your property boundary, ensuring comprehensive surveillance without blind spots. Features like DVLA vehicle verification can instantly identify suspicious vehicles, while its pattern learning capabilities distinguish between genuine threats and routine activities, minimising false alarms. The system's autonomous response, including activating lights and engaging speakers, is engineered to destroy an intruder's element of surprise, often causing them to abandon their attempt within 60 seconds. Choosing a professional-grade solution like scOS shifts the focus from merely documenting a crime to actively preventing it, providing residents with enhanced peace of mind.