Shaftesbury Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime in Shaftesbury

Shaftesbury, a historic hilltop town in Dorset, reports an overall crime rate of 63.6 per 1,000 residents per year. This figure places Shaftesbury below the UK average crime rate of 93.1 per 1,000, indicating a comparatively safer environment. The safety score for the area stands at a commendable 86 out of 100, which is higher than the UK average safety score of 78. In terms of recent trends, Shaftesbury has experienced an increase, with a significant 25.0% rise in its year-over-year crime figures. This introduction provides a concise overview of Shaftesbury's crime landscape, setting the context for a more detailed analysis of its specific crime types and patterns.

Crime Type Analysis in Shaftesbury

An examination of Shaftesbury's crime statistics reveals that 'Violence and sexual offences' are the most prevalent category, accounting for 216 crimes (20.2 per 1,000 residents), representing 31.7% of the total reported incidents. 'Anti-social behaviour' follows as the second most common, with 172 crimes (16.1 per 1,000, 25.3% of total), indicating some public order concerns. 'Criminal damage and arson' ranks as the third highest crime type, with 79 incidents (7.4 per 1,000, 11.6% of total), reflecting incidents of property vandalism.

Focusing on property-related crime, which includes categories such as burglary, shoplifting, other theft, vehicle crime, and bicycle theft, Shaftesbury records a rate of 21.8 per 1,000 people. This is lower than the UK average property crime rate of 32.9 per 1,000. Specific figures show burglary at 32 crimes (3.0 per 1,000, 4.7% of total) and vehicle crime at 45 crimes (4.2 per 1,000, 6.6% of total). For residents and homeowners in Shaftesbury, while the overall property crime rate is below the national average, the presence of criminal damage and vehicle crime indicates a need for vigilance, particularly regarding property and vehicle security.

Crime Trends in Shaftesbury

Shaftesbury has experienced a significant increasing trend in its crime figures, with a year-over-year rise of 25.0%. This indicates a notable upward shift in the town's overall crime rate compared to the previous year. Examining the monthly trend data further illustrates this pattern. Crime rates per 1,000 residents fluctuated, starting at 6.9 in November 2024 and experiencing a dip to 3.0 in February 2025, but then generally increased, reaching a peak of 7.8 in July 2025 before settling at 4.1 in October 2025. This upward trend suggests a need for increased awareness among residents and highlights areas where crime prevention efforts could be strengthened in Shaftesbury.

How To Keep Safe in Shaftesbury

Given that 'Violence and sexual offences' are the most prevalent crime type in Shaftesbury, personal safety should be a key consideration for residents. While the town maintains a good safety score, adopting proactive measures can significantly enhance your security.

Firstly, when out in Shaftesbury, especially in public areas or during evenings, be aware of your surroundings and avoid walking alone in poorly lit or secluded spots. Secondly, if you are socialising, ensure you have a plan for getting home safely, such as pre-booking a taxi or arranging a lift. Thirdly, avoid escalating confrontational situations and try to remove yourself if you feel threatened. Lastly, report any instances of violence or suspicious behaviour to the local police immediately, as this helps to maintain the community's safety. These localised tips are important for navigating Shaftesbury securely.

Understanding Time-Based Crime Patterns in Shaftesbury

Crime in Shaftesbury exhibits distinct patterns throughout the day. In the 'Morning' period (6am-12pm), 'Other' crimes are the most prevalent crime type at 42%, followed by 'Theft' at 26%, with 'Burglary' and 'Vehicle' crimes also present. The 'Afternoon' (12pm-6pm) sees 'Other' crimes remaining high at 40%, while 'Theft' increases to 29%, and 'Burglary' is 25%. This suggests a high incidence of opportunistic crimes during busy daylight hours.

As the day moves into 'Evening' (6pm-12am), 'Other' crimes become the largest category at 57%, and 'Theft' reduces to 10%. 'Burglary' is 18%, and 'Vehicle' crime is 14%. During the 'Night' (12am-6am), 'Vehicle' crime becomes the dominant type at 36%, with 'Other' crimes at 37%, and 'Burglary' at 22%. 'Theft' is lowest at 5%. These patterns highlight specific periods when residents should be particularly attentive to different types of crime in Shaftesbury.

Crime Comparison with Nearby Areas

To better understand Shaftesbury's crime rates, it's useful to examine its neighbouring areas. Shaftesbury has an overall crime rate of 63.6 per 1,000 people per year. In comparison, Motcombe reports a significantly lower rate of 18.3 crimes per 1,000 people/year, suggesting a safer environment. Areas such as Higher Coombe, Donhead St Mary, and Stour Row report exceptionally low crime rates of 0.0 crimes per 1,000 people/year. While these extremely low figures may indicate limited data, they highlight a regional contrast. This comparison helps residents understand Shaftesbury's safety profile within its immediate locality, showing it to be moderately safe relative to its very low-crime neighbours.

Proactive Security for Your Shaftesbury Property

With Shaftesbury's property crime rate at 21.8 per 1,000 people, which is below the UK average, residents should still consider robust home security. Traditional security solutions often fall short by merely recording a crime after it's happened, offering little in the way of actual prevention.

For superior protection, an AI-powered home security operating system like scOS offers a proactive solution. Unlike typical cameras that provide footage of a burglary, scOS is engineered to prevent it by detecting threats at your property's boundary. Its multi-camera intelligence ensures no blind spots, and advanced features such as DVLA vehicle verification can identify suspicious vehicles instantly. scOS learns your household's routines, accurately distinguishing between normal activity and genuine threats, thereby minimising false alarms. The system's autonomous response, including activating lights and engaging speakers, is designed to deter intruders effectively, often causing them to move on within the first minute. Investing in such professional-grade, proactive security ensures your Shaftesbury home is safeguarded with advanced deterrence, offering true peace of mind.