Southwell (Dorset) Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime in Southwell (Dorset)

Southwell (Dorset) experiences an overall crime rate of 36.0 per 1,000 residents per year, which is significantly lower than the national average of 93.4 per 1,000. This contributes to Southwell's excellent safety score of 89 out of 100, far surpassing the UK average of 78. Over the past year, the crime rate in Southwell has shown an increasing trend, rising by 7.1%. This report delves into detailed crime statistics, offering residents a comprehensive understanding of local safety trends and potential areas for crime prevention.

Crime Breakdown in Southwell (Dorset)

An analysis of crime types in Southwell (Dorset) reveals that Violence and sexual offences account for the largest proportion, representing 69.3% of all reported crimes, with 52 incidents. Other theft and Anti-social behaviour are both the second most prevalent, each making up 9.3% of the total with 7 reported cases. Criminal damage and arson forms the third most significant category, contributing 4.0% to the overall crime figures, with 3 incidents. These figures indicate a primary focus on crimes related to personal safety and public order within the area.

Looking at property-related crime, Southwell (Dorset) has a rate of 5.3 per 1,000 residents, which is substantially lower than the UK average of 33.2 per 1,000. This category encompasses a range of offences including other theft (9.3%), criminal damage and arson (4.0%), robbery (1.3%), and possession of weapons (1.3%). For residents and homeowners, these statistics suggest that while property crime is very low compared to the national average, vigilance regarding general theft and criminal damage remains important. Proactive measures to secure homes and vehicles can further enhance personal and community safety.

Crime Trends in Southwell (Dorset)

Southwell (Dorset) has experienced an increasing crime trend over the last year, with a rise of 7.1% in overall crime. Analysing the monthly crime rates per 1,000 residents provides further insight into these patterns. In late 2024, the crime rate saw a peak in October at 4.3, before declining to 3.4 in November and December. The early months of 2025 showed some fluctuation, with a low of 1.4 in January and a peak of 5.8 in May. The latter half of 2025 saw rates settle around 1.9 in July and September. This increasing trend, despite some monthly variations, indicates a shift in the local safety landscape. For residents, this upward trend suggests a need for continued awareness and proactive security measures.

Crime Time Patterns in Southwell (Dorset)

Crime in Southwell (Dorset) exhibits distinct patterns throughout the day. During the morning hours (6am-12pm), theft is most prevalent at 80%, with 'Other' crime types (including violence and anti-social behaviour) at 20%. Burglary and vehicle crime are absent. The afternoon (12pm-6pm) sees theft remain high at 81%, while 'Other' crimes are 19%. As the evening progresses (6pm-12am), 'Other' crimes rise to 55%, while theft drops to 45%. Into the night (12am-6am), 'Other' crimes are 56%, with theft at 44%. This suggests that theft is a significant concern during the day, while 'Other' crimes dominate the evening and night.

Crime Comparison with Nearby Areas

When evaluating crime statistics in Southwell (Dorset), it is helpful to consider the context of neighbouring areas. Southwell’s overall crime rate of 36.0 per 1,000 residents and property crime rate of 5.3 per 1,000, alongside an excellent safety score of 89/100, provide a benchmark for comparison. Weston (Dorset) has a significantly higher overall crime rate of 83.8 per 1,000 and a property crime rate of 21.9 per 1,000, with a safety score of 82/100, indicating Southwell is considerably safer. Grove (Dorset) and Fortuneswell, with an overall crime rate of 74.7 per 1,000 and property crime rate of 16.3 per 1,000, are also less safe than Southwell. Chickerell has an overall crime rate of 50.7 per 1,000 and a property crime rate of 16.1 per 1,000, and a safety score of 88/100, indicating it is also less safe overall. This regional overview highlights Southwell (Dorset) as one of the safest areas within the local landscape, offering residents a reassuring level of security.

Enhancing Home Security in Southwell (Dorset)

Given Southwell (Dorset)'s very low property crime rate of 5.3 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the national average, it remains prudent for homeowners to consider robust security measures, especially with the recent increasing trend. While traditional CCTV systems merely record incidents after they occur, an advanced approach focuses on crime prevention at your property's boundary. Rather than simply documenting a burglary, consider systems that actively deter potential threats before they escalate.

Modern security solutions, such as AI-powered home security operating systems like scOS, offer proactive protection. These systems utilise multi-camera intelligence to monitor your entire property simultaneously, learning routines to distinguish between family, deliveries, and genuine threats. Features like DVLA vehicle verification can instantly flag suspicious vehicles. By detecting and engaging threats at the property line with autonomous responses like activating lights and speakers, scOS destroys the element of surprise that burglars rely on. This professional-grade deterrence signals serious protection, making burglars decide within 60 seconds to move on, unlike reactive systems that only alert you after the fact. Investing in such proactive security ensures real protection, shifting the focus from recording crime to preventing it entirely.