Shaftesbury Crime Rate

Shaftesbury records an overall crime rate of 66.1 per 1,000 people per year, which is lower than the UK average of 93.4 per 1,000. The area achieves a solid safety score of 85 out of 100, surpassing the UK average of 78. However, Shaftesbury has experienced a significant increase in its crime rate, rising by 38.0% year-over-year. These statistics provide a comprehensive overview of the current crime landscape in Shaftesbury, offering valuable context for residents and visitors.

In Shaftesbury, Violence and sexual offences are the most prevalent crime type, accounting for 30.8% of all incidents with 218 crimes (20.4 per 1,000 people). Anti-social behaviour follows as the second most common, making up 24.9% of the total with 176 incidents (16.4 per 1,000). Criminal damage and arson is the third highest category, with 84 recorded crimes (7.8 per 1,000), representing 11.9% of offences. Property-related crime, which includes burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and criminal damage and arson, stands at 23.8 per 1,000 people per year. This rate is lower than the UK average property crime rate of 33.2 per 1,000. While the overall property crime rate is favourable, the presence of criminal damage and arson suggests that residents should be mindful of securing their property.

Shaftesbury has experienced a significant increasing crime trend over the last year, with a substantial 38.0% rise year-over-year. Monthly data for crime rate per 1,000 people shows considerable fluctuation; for instance, a peak of 7.8 was observed in July 2025, while a lower rate of 3.0 occurred in February 2025. The rates generally remained higher in the spring and summer months of 2025. This upward trend indicates a notable shift in the local crime landscape, and residents should be aware of these changes.

Crime patterns in Shaftesbury show distinct hourly variations throughout the day and week. During the early morning hours, crime intensity is typically at its lowest. As the day progresses, particularly in the late morning and afternoon, there is an increase in activity, often associated with daytime commercial and public engagements. The evening hours see a further rise in crime, with peaks in late evening, especially on weekends, reflecting increased social activity. Night-time hours, particularly after midnight, show a moderate level of activity, often associated with vehicle crime and some burglaries when properties are unattended.

Comparing Shaftesbury to its surrounding areas provides valuable regional context for its safety profile. Its crime rate of 66.1 per 1,000 is generally comparable to or higher than some of its immediate neighbours. When contrasted with Higher Coombe, Motcombe, Donhead St Mary, and Stour Row, Shaftesbury's crime profile reflects its status as a market town. Understanding these comparisons helps residents gauge the local safety environment and how it contrasts with smaller, more rural communities.

Protecting Your Property in Shaftesbury

With Shaftesbury's property crime rate at 23.8 per 1,000 people, coupled with a significant increasing overall trend, robust home security is a prudent investment for residents. Traditional security systems often merely record incidents, providing footage of a burglary after it has happened. For those seeking to actively deter and prevent crime, an AI-powered home security operating system like scOS offers a superior solution. This technology provides proactive protection by detecting threats at your property boundary, before an intruder can gain entry. With multi-camera intelligence, scOS monitors all cameras simultaneously, learning your routines to distinguish between genuine threats and everyday activity. This professional-grade deterrence destroys the element of surprise for potential burglars, making them move on within moments. Investing in such a system provides real-time intervention and a significantly higher level of security than reactive solutions.