Sturminster Marshall Crime Rate

Crime Statistics in Sturminster Marshall

Sturminster Marshall, an urban settlement with a population of 2,578, reports an overall crime rate of 42.3 per 1,000 people per year. This figure is considerably lower than the UK average crime rate of 93.1 per 1,000, positioning Sturminster Marshall as a notably safer community. The area's safety score is 89 out of 100, which is significantly above the UK average of 78, further reinforcing its status as a secure place to live. In terms of recent trends, Sturminster Marshall has maintained a stable crime environment, with a modest 0.9% decrease in its overall crime rate year-over-year. This stability and low crime rate contribute to a peaceful living experience. This report offers a detailed overview of crime types, trends, and safety advice pertinent to Sturminster Marshall.

Crime Breakdown in Sturminster Marshall

In Sturminster Marshall, Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type, accounting for 43.1% of all incidents, with 47 crimes (18.2 per 1,000 residents). Criminal damage and arson is the second most frequent, making up 15.6% with 17 incidents (6.6 per 1,000), followed by Anti-social behaviour at 12.8% with 14 incidents (5.4 per 1,000).

Property-related crime in Sturminster Marshall, which includes burglary, criminal damage and arson, vehicle crime, and other theft, collectively stands at 15.5% of all crimes. Specifically, there were 12 burglaries (4.7 per 1,000), 17 criminal damage and arson incidents (6.6 per 1,000), 5 vehicle crimes (1.9 per 1,000), and 6 other thefts (2.3 per 1,000). The combined property crime rate of 15.5 per 1,000 is substantially lower than the UK average property crime rate of 32.9 per 1,000, indicating a relatively low risk for homeowners. Despite the low overall crime, understanding these specific categories helps residents take targeted preventative measures.

Crime Trends in Sturminster Marshall

Sturminster Marshall has maintained a stable crime environment, with a slight 0.9% decrease in the overall crime rate year-over-year. This indicates a consistent level of safety within the community. Analyzing the monthly trend data reveals a relatively low and fluctuating crime rate per 1,000 residents. Rates were 4.7 in November 2024, rising to 5.4 in December and May 2025, then dipping to 1.2 in February and October. A peak of 5.0 was observed in July and August 2025. Despite these minor monthly variations, the overall stability and slight decrease in the crime rate highlight Sturminster Marshall as a consistently safe place to reside.

How To Keep Safe in Sturminster Marshall

Given that Violence and sexual offences are the most prevalent crime types in Sturminster Marshall, residents are advised to prioritise personal safety and awareness in their daily lives.

1. Increase Situational Awareness: Always be aware of your surroundings, especially when walking alone or in dimly lit areas. Avoid distractions like mobile phones.
2. Travel in Groups: Where possible, especially during evenings or late nights, travel with friends or family. There is safety in numbers, which can deter potential offenders.
3. Report Suspicious Behaviour: If you notice any suspicious individuals or activities, report them to the police immediately. Early intervention can prevent more serious incidents.
4. Secure Your Home: While these crimes are often personal, ensuring your home is secure can prevent related issues like criminal damage or opportunistic entry.
5. Community Engagement: Participate in local Neighbourhood Watch groups or community forums to collectively address and mitigate local safety concerns.

Time Patterns of Crime in Sturminster Marshall

Crime patterns in Sturminster Marshall show distinct variations across different times of the day. During the morning hours (6am-12pm), 'Other' crimes are most prominent, accounting for 36% of crimes, followed by theft at 29% and burglary at 24%. Vehicle crime also accounts for 10% during this period. The afternoon period (12pm-6pm) sees burglary peak at 39%, with theft at 29% and 'Other' crimes at 29%. In the evening (6pm-12am), 'Other' crimes, which can include anti-social behaviour and public order offences, become the most dominant, reaching 49% of incidents, while burglary is 32% and theft drops to 10%. During the night (12am-6am), burglary remains significant at 39%, followed by 'Other' crimes at 34% and vehicle crime at 22%. These patterns highlight a persistent threat of burglary throughout the day, peaking significantly during the night, suggesting properties are particularly vulnerable when residents are away or asleep.

Nearby Areas Comparison

To understand Sturminster Marshall's crime rate in a broader context, it's beneficial to compare it with similar nearby settlements. Sturminster Marshall reports a crime rate of 42.3 per 1,000 people per year. In stark contrast, Beacon Hill and Spetisbury both report exceptionally low rates of 0.0 crimes per 1,000, indicating highly peaceful communities. Lytchett Matravers has a lower crime rate of 31.5 per 1,000. Corfe Mullen has a lower crime rate of 34.2 per 1,000. These comparisons highlight that Sturminster Marshall is a relatively safe area, albeit with some even more tranquil, often smaller, communities in its immediate vicinity. Its crime rate remains well below the regional average, reinforcing its reputation as a secure place to live.

Protection Against Crime in Sturminster Marshall

With Sturminster Marshall experiencing a property crime rate of 15.5 per 1,000, robust home security is an important consideration for residents. Traditional security systems often provide footage after an incident, which is reactive and doesn't prevent the initial breach. For superior protection, proactive deterrence is essential. scOS, an AI-powered home security operating system, is designed to prevent crime before it happens. It achieves this by using multi-camera intelligence to detect threats at your property boundary, ensuring comprehensive surveillance without blind spots. Features like DVLA vehicle verification can instantly identify suspicious vehicles, while its pattern learning capabilities distinguish between genuine threats and routine activities, minimising false alarms. The system's autonomous response, including activating lights and engaging speakers, is engineered to destroy an intruder's element of surprise, often causing them to abandon their attempt within 60 seconds. Choosing a professional-grade solution like scOS shifts the focus from merely documenting a crime to actively preventing it, providing residents with enhanced peace of mind.