Shaftesbury Crime Rate November 2025 | Monthly Statistics

The crime profile in Shaftesbury during November 2025 reveals a distinct balance between violent and property-related offences, shaped by the area's character as a market town within Dorset. With a total crime rate of 3.7 per 1,000 residents—49.3% below the UK average—the local crime mix highlights a combination of social and economic factors. Violence and sexual offences account for 32.5% of all reported crimes, a figure significantly lower than the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000 (53% below). This suggests a relatively low incidence of violent crime, possibly influenced by Shaftesbury's small population and community-focused environment. Anti-social behaviour follows closely at 22.5%, again below the UK average, indicating that disruptive incidents are less prevalent than in larger urban centres. However, burglary emerges as a notable outlier, occurring at a rate of 0.4 per 1,000 residents—33% higher than the UK average of 0.3 per 1,000. This discrepancy may reflect the town's historic architecture and the presence of high-value properties in the built-up area. Seasonal factors such as the dark evenings of November and the timing of Bonfire Night likely contribute to the overall crime picture, with increased visibility challenges influencing burglary rates. The relatively low levels of shoplifting (0.3 per 1,000) and theft from the person (0.1 per 1,000) further suggest that retail spaces and public areas are not primary targets, due to the town's quieter, more residential nature. This crime mix illustrates a community where interpersonal violence and anti-social behaviour are less common, but property-related risks remain a local concern.

November 2025 saw several notable shifts in Shaftesbury's crime profile, with some categories rising sharply while others declined. Burglary increased by 33.3% compared to the previous month, moving from three to four incidents. This rise, though still below the UK average, may be linked to seasonal factors such as the reduced visibility of dark evenings, which could make properties more vulnerable to opportunistic thieves. Conversely, vehicle crime dropped by 50.0%, falling from two to one incident—a significant decrease that might reflect reduced traffic in the area during the month or improved vehicle security measures. Shoplifting also declined by 25.0%, likely tied to the Black Friday shopping period, where increased police presence or retail security could have deterred offenders. Other crime rose by 100.0%, with two incidents reported—double the previous month's count. This category, which includes offences like fraud and cybercrime, may be influenced by online shopping activity during the holiday season. Theft from the person also increased by 100.0%, though this remains a rare occurrence at 0.1 per 1,000 residents. The overall balance between property and violent crime remains skewed, with violent offences still accounting for over a third of all incidents. This suggests that while property crime is a growing concern, the town's lower violent crime rates continue to reflect its character as a relatively safe, close-knit community.

In November 2025, Shaftesbury's crime rate of 3.7 per 1,000 residents marked a 9.2% decrease from the previous month's rate of 4.1 per 1,000. This decline, though modest, aligns with the seasonal context of November, which typically sees lower crime rates due to reduced outdoor activity and the absence of major summer festivals. On a daily basis, the town recorded an average of one crime per day over the 30-day period, a figure that may seem low but reflects the area's small population of 10,712 residents. When scaled to the population, this translates to one reported crime for every 268 residents over the course of the month—a rate that is both rare and significantly below the UK average. This monthly exposure provides a tangible sense of the low crime environment in Shaftesbury, where residents are unlikely to encounter crime on a regular basis. The town's built-up area, while compact, benefits from its location in Dorset, a county historically associated with lower crime rates compared to more densely populated regions. The combination of a small population, limited urban density, and strong community ties likely contributes to this comparative safety. However, the 33% increase in burglary compared to the UK average serves as a reminder that even in low-crime areas, specific risks can emerge, necessitating targeted local awareness and prevention efforts.