Stoborough Crime Rate

Stoborough is a highly secure urban settlement, boasting an excellent safety score of 92/100, which significantly exceeds the UK average of 79. The area's overall crime rate is 38.9 per 1,000 residents, a figure that is less than half the national average of 91.7. While recent data shows a 14.3% increase in year-over-year crime, the total volume of incidents remains low, maintaining Stoborough's reputation as a safe and desirable place to live. The property crime rate is also notably low at 20.5 per 1,000 people. This detailed report explores the local crime breakdown, temporal trends, and offers practical advice for maintaining safety in the Stoborough area.

In Stoborough, 'other theft' is the most frequent crime, accounting for 25.0% of all reported incidents (9.7 per 1,000 residents). This is closely followed by violence and sexual offences at 23.6%, and both anti-social behaviour and criminal damage/arson at 15.3% each. When looking at property crime as a whole—which includes burglary, vehicle crime, and all forms of theft—the rate is 20.5 per 1,000 people. While this is higher than some neighbouring rural areas, it remains well below the UK average property crime rate of 32.3. The combined prevalence of theft and criminal damage suggests that residents should prioritise securing their belongings and property boundaries. Although burglary itself is relatively low at 4.2% of total crime, the high rate of general theft indicates that opportunistic crime is a factor that homeowners and business owners in Stoborough should actively manage.

Stoborough has experienced a 14.3% increase in crime over the past year, representing a shift in the local safety landscape. Monthly data for 2025 shows that crime rates peaked in March (5.4 per 1,000), April (4.9), and July (5.9). These months saw significantly higher activity than the end of the year, with November recording a low of just 1.1 crimes per 1,000 residents. The fluctuations suggest that while Stoborough is generally very quiet, it is susceptible to short-term spikes in activity, possibly linked to seasonal factors or specific local events. For residents, this upward trend is a reminder to remain proactive about security, even though the area's overall safety score remains exceptionally high compared to national standards. Monitoring these trends helps the community understand when to be most vigilant.

How To Keep Safe in Stoborough

The most frequent crime in Stoborough is 'other theft', accounting for 25.0% of all incidents. To stay safe, you should be particularly mindful of opportunistic theft. Ensure that garden equipment, bicycles, and other valuable items are not left unattended in open areas or unlocked sheds. Marking your property with forensic marking kits can also act as a deterrent and help in the recovery of items if they are stolen.

Vehicle security is also important, especially during the night when vehicle crime accounts for 34% of local incidents. Always lock your car, even when parked on a private driveway, and avoid leaving any bags or electronics in plain sight. For home safety, consider installing motion-activated lighting around the perimeter of your property; this is a simple but effective way to discourage criminal damage and arson, which make up 15.3% of local crime. Finally, staying connected with neighbours and participating in local community safety groups can help you stay informed about any suspicious activity in the Stoborough area.

Stoborough exhibits very specific crime cycles throughout the day. The morning and afternoon periods are heavily weighted towards theft, which accounts for 65% and 71% of crimes respectively. This suggests that the majority of criminal activity in Stoborough is opportunistic and occurs when residents and visitors are most active. As the evening approaches, the nature of crime diversifies, with 'other' crimes (including public order and ASB) rising to 42%. The night-time period (12am - 6am) sees a significant peak in vehicle crime, which makes up 34% of offences during these hours, while burglary also reaches its highest daily percentage at 13%. These patterns indicate that while daytime is the most active for theft, the night-time poses a more specific risk to property and vehicles, necessitating focused security measures during the hours of darkness.

In the local regional context, Stoborough compares very favourably to its neighbours. Its crime rate of 38.9 per 1,000 is lower than the nearby towns of Wareham (52.1) and Sandford (64.9), and also sits below Corfe Castle (42.7). The only nearby area with a lower rate is Ridge, which recorded no crimes (0.0) during the same period. For those looking for a balance between accessibility to larger towns like Wareham and a quieter, safer residential environment, Stoborough offers a compelling middle ground with some of the highest safety ratings in the immediate Dorset area.

With a property crime rate of 20.5 per 1,000 residents, Stoborough is statistically safe, yet the prevalence of 'other theft' and criminal damage indicates that opportunistic offences do occur. Traditional security systems like Ring or Nest often only provide footage of a crime as it happens or after the fact, which can be frustrating for homeowners. For true peace of mind, a proactive system like scOS is recommended. scOS uses AI-powered multi-camera intelligence to monitor your property boundaries in real-time, identifying threats before they escalate. Instead of just recording a theft, scOS can autonomously intervene by activating lights or voice alerts, destroying the element of surprise that criminals rely on. For Stoborough residents, investing in proactive AI protection means shifting from reactive evidence gathering to active crime prevention, ensuring your property remains a difficult target for opportunistic thieves.