Winterborne St Martin Crime Rate

Crime statistics for Winterborne St Martin, Dorset, from January 2025 to December 2025, paint a complex picture. The area recorded a crime rate of 40.6 per 1,000 residents annually. While this is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.6 per 1,000, the recent increase of 33.8% year-on-year warrants attention. This rise suggests a need for greater community vigilance and proactive safety measures. Understanding the specific types of crimes occurring and the contributing factors is crucial for developing effective preventative strategies and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all residents. The safety score of 92/100 indicates a generally safe area, but the upward trend requires careful monitoring.

The most recent data for Winterborne St Martin, covering January 2025 to December 2025, reveals a concerning pattern of crime types. Anti-social behaviour accounts for the largest proportion of reported incidents, with 27 occurrences. Violence and sexual offences follow closely with 20 incidents, demonstrating a need for increased community safety initiatives. Public order offences also contribute significantly, numbering 9. Criminal damage and arson, at 8 incidents, highlights potential issues with property security. Other forms of theft, including shoplifting and vehicle crime, represent a smaller but still significant portion of recorded crimes, indicating a broader vulnerability within the neighbourhood. The property crime rate of 10.3 per 1,000 residents is a key indicator requiring attention, suggesting opportunities for proactive preventative measures.

The concerning trend of increasing crime in Winterborne St Martin is reflected in the monthly data. From January 2025 to December 2025, crime rates have risen by a significant 33.8% year-on-year. Examining the monthly data reveals fluctuations; February 2025 saw a dip in crime, while April and August 2025 witnessed peaks. The consistently increasing overall trend, however, is undeniable. The data for December 2025 showed a rate of 3.7 per 1,000/month. This upward trajectory highlights the urgent need for proactive community safety initiatives and potentially increased police presence to address the underlying causes of this concerning rise.

How To Keep Safe in Winterborne St Martin

Given the prevalence of anti-social behaviour, violence, and public order offences, here's some practical advice: Firstly, ensure your property is well-lit and secure, particularly around entrances. Secondly, be mindful of your surroundings when out and about, especially during the evening hours. Report any suspicious activity to the police promptly. Thirdly, consider joining or supporting local neighbourhood watch schemes to foster a sense of community vigilance. Finally, engage with local community groups and initiatives to address the root causes of antisocial behaviour and promote a safer environment for everyone.

Across Winterborne St Martin, crime patterns fluctuate throughout the day. Burglary attempts are slightly more frequent during the afternoon (12pm - 6pm), while vehicle crime shows a higher prevalence overnight (12am - 6am). Theft is most common during standard commercial hours. Violence and sexual offences are notably elevated in the evening (6pm - 12am), particularly on weekend nights, suggesting a correlation with social activity. Understanding these temporal trends is vital for targeted preventative measures and increased community vigilance during peak risk periods.

Compared to neighbouring areas, Winterborne St Martin's crime rate presents a mixed picture. Dorchester, a larger town nearby, has a considerably higher crime rate of 72.5 per 1,000 residents. Charminster, another local area, shows a lower rate of 25.1 per 1,000, suggesting varying levels of safety across Dorset. Portesham and Charlton Down boast remarkably low crime rates of 0.0 per 1,000, highlighting the potential for Winterborne St Martin to learn from their approaches. These comparisons emphasize the importance of localised safety strategies.

Traditional CCTV systems often record footage after a crime has occurred, providing little opportunity for prevention. With a crime rate of 40.6 per 1,000 residents, proactive protection is essential in Winterborne St Martin. Consider an AI-powered system like scOS. scOS goes beyond simple recording; its multi-camera intelligence and DVLA vehicle verification capabilities detect threats at your property boundary before they escalate. The system learns your family’s routines and identifies unfamiliar activity, triggering immediate alerts and autonomous responses like activating lights and speakers – often deterring potential intruders within those crucial first 60 seconds. This visible demonstration of serious security can be a powerful deterrent, making that initial decision to target your property a less attractive proposition. Reading crime statistics is one thing; actively preventing threats at your property line is another.