Sherborne Crime Rate

Sherborne, within Dorset, recorded a crime rate of 54.2 per 1,000 residents between January 2025 and December 2025. This is lower than the UK average of 91.6 per 1,000, suggesting a comparatively safer environment. However, understanding the nuances of the crime data is vital. The area's safety score stands at 88 out of 100, which is higher than the UK average of 79, further illustrating a relatively secure community. Despite this, a concerning upward trend has been observed, with crime increasing by 7.0% year-on-year. This requires careful consideration and proactive measures to maintain the area's overall safety and wellbeing.

Sherborne's crime statistics reveal a concerning pattern, with anti-social behaviour, violence and sexual offences, and shoplifting representing the most prevalent issues. Anti-social behaviour accounts for 32.6% of recorded crimes, totaling 213 incidents. Violence and sexual offences follow closely behind at 31.8%, with 208 reported cases. Shoplifting, while less frequent, still contributes significantly with 61 incidents, representing 9.3% of overall crime. Other theft, criminal damage and arson, and public order offences also contribute to the crime profile, albeit to a lesser extent. The relatively low number of burglaries (21 incidents) and vehicle crimes (18 incidents) suggests these are not primary concerns within the area, but remain factors to consider. The overall property crime rate of 15.7 per 1,000 residents is indicative of the broader challenges facing the neighbourhood.

Crime in Sherborne is currently on an upward trajectory, increasing by 7.0% year-on-year. Monthly data from January 2025 to December 2025 reveals fluctuations, with a particularly notable spike in March 2025 (5.1 per 1,000/month) and September 2025 (6.4 per 1,000/month). While figures have generally decreased towards the end of the data period, the overall trend remains concerning. For instance, crime rates in January 2025 were 2.8 per 1,000, compared to 4.3 per 1,000 in December 2025. This consistent rise underscores the importance of proactive safety measures and community engagement to mitigate the risks and ensure the wellbeing of Sherborne residents.

How To Keep Safe in Sherborne

Given the prevalence of anti-social behaviour and violence and sexual offences, here are some practical tips to enhance your safety: Firstly, be aware of your surroundings, especially when walking alone at night. Secondly, consider joining or supporting local neighbourhood watch schemes to foster community vigilance. Thirdly, ensure your home and valuables are secured with robust locks and alarms. Fourthly, report any suspicious activity to the police promptly. Finally, if you have concerns about a specific location, avoid it if possible, particularly during evening hours.

Crime in Sherborne tends to be distributed throughout the day, although patterns emerge when considering different crime types. Burglary is most frequently reported in the afternoon (17%), while theft shows a peak during commercial hours. Vehicle crime demonstrates a higher incidence overnight (33% between 12am and 6am), indicating a potential vulnerability during those hours. Violence and sexual offences show a concentration in the evening (6pm - 12am), especially on weekends, highlighting a need for increased vigilance during those times. Overall, a proactive and aware approach to personal safety is advised at all times.

Sherborne's crime rate contrasts significantly with that of neighbouring areas. Nether Compton and Leweston report zero crimes per 1,000 residents, showcasing exceptionally low crime levels. Longburton follows suit with a negligible rate. Milborne Port, however, experiences a crime rate of 45.0 per 1,000, indicating a higher level of criminal activity compared to Sherborne and its more tranquil neighbours. These variations highlight the diverse safety landscapes within the region.

Traditional CCTV systems often provide a reactive response – recording footage after a crime has occurred. Reading crime statistics, as you have, is one thing. Actually preventing threats at your property line is another. scOS offers a proactive approach to home security, utilizing AI to detect potential threats at your property boundary before they escalate. Unlike Ring or Nest cameras which simply record a burglary, scOS actively prevents it. Its multi-camera intelligence system watches all cameras simultaneously, while DVLA vehicle verification instantly flags suspicious vehicles. The pattern learning feature recognises familiar faces, ensuring only genuine threats trigger alerts. The autonomous response – activating lights and speakers – creates an immediate deterrent, often causing potential intruders to move on within those critical first 60 seconds. Most burglars decide within that timeframe – a visible scOS system makes that decision easy.