Swanage Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime in Swanage

Swanage, a popular coastal town in Dorset, reports an overall crime rate of 46.3 per 1,000 residents per year. This figure places Swanage below the UK average crime rate of 93.1 per 1,000, indicating a comparatively safer environment. The safety score for the area stands at a commendable 89 out of 100, which is higher than the UK average safety score of 78. In terms of recent trends, Swanage has experienced a positive development, with a significant 21.3% decrease in its year-over-year crime figures. This introduction provides a concise overview of Swanage's crime landscape, setting the context for a more detailed analysis of its specific crime types and patterns.

Crime Type Analysis in Swanage

An examination of Swanage's crime statistics reveals that 'Violence and sexual offences' are the most prevalent category, accounting for 185 crimes (19.7 per 1,000 residents), representing 42.5% of the total reported incidents. 'Anti-social behaviour' follows as the second most common, with 80 crimes (8.5 per 1,000, 18.4% of total), indicating some public order concerns. 'Shoplifting' ranks as the third highest crime type, with 39 incidents (4.2 per 1,000, 9.0% of total), reflecting challenges in retail environments.

Focusing on property-related crime, which includes categories such as burglary, shoplifting, other theft, vehicle crime, and bicycle theft, Swanage records a rate of 13.8 per 1,000 people. This is considerably lower than the UK average property crime rate of 32.9 per 1,000. Specific figures show burglary at 12 crimes (1.3 per 1,000, 2.8% of total) and vehicle crime at 8 crimes (0.8 per 1,000, 1.8% of total). For residents and homeowners in Swanage, while the overall property crime rate is below the national average, the presence of shoplifting and other theft indicates a need for vigilance, particularly in commercial areas and regarding personal belongings.

Crime Trends in Swanage

Swanage has experienced a very positive and significant shift in its crime figures, with a year-over-year decrease of 21.3%. This indicates a substantial improvement in the town's overall safety profile compared to the previous year. Examining the monthly trend data further illustrates this downward trajectory. Crime rates per 1,000 residents fluctuated, starting at 4.0 in November 2024 and experiencing a peak in August 2025 at 5.0, but then generally decreased, settling at 3.6 in October 2025. This consistent reduction in crime rates is a reassuring sign for Swanage residents, suggesting that efforts to improve safety are having a positive impact and contributing to a more secure community environment.

How To Keep Safe in Swanage

With 'Violence and sexual offences' being the most prevalent crime type in Swanage, personal safety should be a key consideration for residents. While the town maintains a good safety score, adopting proactive measures can significantly enhance your security.

Firstly, when out in Swanage, especially in public areas or during evenings, be aware of your surroundings and avoid walking alone in poorly lit or secluded spots. Secondly, if you are socialising, ensure you have a plan for getting home safely, such as pre-booking a taxi or arranging a lift. Thirdly, avoid escalating confrontational situations and try to remove yourself if you feel threatened. Lastly, report any instances of violence or suspicious behaviour to the local police immediately, as this helps to maintain the community's safety. These localised tips are important for navigating Swanage securely.

Understanding Time-Based Crime Patterns in Swanage

Crime in Swanage exhibits distinct patterns throughout the day. In the 'Morning' period (6am-12pm), 'Theft' is the most prevalent crime type at 44%, followed by 'Other' crimes at 38%, with 'Burglary' and 'Vehicle' crimes also present. The 'Afternoon' (12pm-6pm) sees 'Theft' remaining high at 46%, while 'Burglary' increases to 16%, and 'Other' crimes are 35%. This suggests a high incidence of opportunistic crimes during daylight hours.

As the day moves into 'Evening' (6pm-12am), 'Other' crimes become the largest category at 58%, and 'Theft' reduces to 20%. 'Burglary' is 14%, and 'Vehicle' crime is 8%. During the 'Night' (12am-6am), 'Other' crimes remain high at 47%, but 'Vehicle' crime rises to 22%, and 'Burglary' is 19%. 'Theft' is lowest at 11%. These patterns highlight specific periods when residents should be particularly attentive to different types of crime in Swanage.

Crime Comparison with Nearby Areas

To better understand Swanage's crime rates, it's useful to examine its neighbouring areas. Swanage has an overall crime rate of 46.3 per 1,000 people per year. In comparison, Langton Matravers reports a lower rate of 31.9 crimes per 1,000 people/year, suggesting a safer environment. Areas such as Studland, Harman's Cross, and Worth Matravers report exceptionally low crime rates of 0.0 crimes per 1,000 people/year. While these extremely low figures may indicate limited data, they highlight a regional contrast. This comparison helps residents understand Swanage's safety profile within its immediate locality, showing it to be moderately safe relative to its very low-crime neighbours.

Proactive Security for Your Swanage Property

With Swanage's property crime rate at 13.8 per 1,000 people, which is considerably below the UK average, residents should still consider robust home security. Traditional security solutions often fall short by merely recording a crime after it's happened, offering little in the way of actual prevention.

For superior protection, an AI-powered home security operating system like scOS offers a proactive solution. Unlike typical cameras that provide footage of a burglary, scOS is engineered to prevent it by detecting threats at your property's boundary. Its multi-camera intelligence ensures no blind spots, and advanced features such as DVLA vehicle verification can identify suspicious vehicles instantly. scOS learns your household's routines, accurately distinguishing between normal activity and genuine threats, thereby minimising false alarms. The system's autonomous response, including activating lights and engaging speakers, is designed to deter intruders effectively, often causing them to move on within the first minute. Investing in such professional-grade, proactive security ensures your Swanage home is safeguarded with advanced deterrence, offering true peace of mind.