Shaftesbury Crime Rate July 2025 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 10,712, Shaftesbury’s 84 recorded crimes in July 2025 equate to one incident for every 128 residents—a figure that, while modest, reflects the town’s seasonal dynamics. The overall crime rate of 7.8 per 1,000 residents places the area 9.3% below the UK average of 8.6 per 1,000, a difference that may partly stem from Shaftesbury’s character as a historic market town with a smaller, more tightly knit community. The top three crime types—anti-social behaviour (33.3% of total), violence and sexual offences (31.0%), and criminal damage and arson (9.5%)—illustrate a pattern influenced by July’s peak summer conditions. With schools out and tourism at its height, the town’s high streets and public spaces likely saw increased foot traffic, potentially contributing to anti-social behaviour and vandalism. The UK average for anti-social behaviour is 1.6 per 1,000, but Shaftesbury’s rate of 2.6 per 1,000 suggests a localised challenge, linked to the town’s role as a regional hub for events and festivals. Meanwhile, the 21% below-average rate for violence and sexual offences may reflect the area’s relatively low levels of nightlife activity compared to larger urban centres. The seasonal context of July—characterised by outdoor events, long evenings, and the absence of school holidays—likely amplifies the visibility of certain crimes, even as the overall rate remains below the national average.

July 2025 saw a dramatic surge in anti-social behaviour, increasing by 115.4% from 13 to 28 incidents, a rate of 2.6 per 1,000—68% above the UK average. This category alone accounted for 33.3% of all crimes, highlighting its disproportionate impact. Violence and sexual offences also rose sharply, with 26 incidents (an 116.7% increase from June’s 12), though the rate remained 21% below the UK average. Meanwhile, criminal damage and arson jumped by 166.7% (from 3 to 8 incidents), a stark contrast to the UK average rate of 0.6 per 1,000. This spike may partly explain the overall rate’s departure from June’s figures. Conversely, property crimes such as vehicle crime and burglary remained well below the UK average, with vehicle crime at 0.2 per 1,000 (49% below the UK average). Residents may find the 26% below-average burglary rate particularly noteworthy, given the town’s relatively low population density and limited high-value property targets.

In July 2025, Shaftesbury recorded 84 crimes across its population of 10,712 residents, translating to a monthly exposure of one reported crime for every 128 residents. This figure is significantly lower than the UK average, yet the month-on-month increase of 110.2% from June’s 3.7 per 1,000 to July’s 7.8 per 1,000 highlights a sharp upward trend. Daily crime activity averaged 3 incidents per day, a figure that, while modest, reflects the impact of seasonal factors such as increased tourism and summer festivals. The population-scaled perspective shows that for every 1,000 residents, Shaftesbury experienced 7.8 crimes—a rate that, while 9.3% below the UK average, masks fluctuations in specific categories. The daily crime count does not directly correlate with the UK’s broader trends, as local dynamics such as community policing efforts or seasonal events may independently influence the numbers. This contrast between local and national statistics underscores the need for localized analysis when interpreting crime data.