Crime in Dorchester East: statistics, rates and trends
490 crimes were recorded in Dorchester East in the 12 months to July 2026, 53.0 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 8% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Dorchester East at a glance
- Crime trends in Dorchester East
- Types of crime in Dorchester East
- Dorchester East compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Dorchester East
- What happened after crimes were reported in Dorchester East
- Population and deprivation in Dorchester East
- Questions about crime in Dorchester East
- About this data
490 crimes were recorded in Dorchester East in the 12 months to July 2026, 53.0 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 8% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 167 reports (34% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Dorchester East has the 2,900th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Dorchester East | Dorset | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 490 | 20,740 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 53.0 | 53.2 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -8% | -6% | -1% |
| Population | 9,246 | 389,947 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Dorchester East was highest in the year to July 2020 (757 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (490). Over the whole period it fell 31%, against a fall of 4% across England and Wales. Rates use today's population for every year, so they show the direction of change rather than exact historic rates.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 490 | 53.0 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 530 | 57.3 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 508 | 54.9 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 573 | 62.0 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 535 | 57.9 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 661 | 71.5 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 757 | 81.9 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 708 | 76.6 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 706 | 76.4 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 38 |
| June 2026 | 39 |
| May 2026 | 33 |
| April 2026 | 33 |
| March 2026 | 37 |
| February 2026 | 32 |
| January 2026 | 38 |
| December 2025 | 48 |
| November 2025 | 48 |
| October 2025 | 52 |
| September 2025 | 32 |
| August 2025 | 60 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Dorchester East over the 12 months to July 2026. The index compares the local rate with England and Wales: 1.00 is the national rate, 2.00 is double it. The largest increases were in shoplifting (+50%) and criminal damage and arson (+15%). The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-60%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 167 | 18.1 | 0.53 | -8% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 120 | 13.0 | 0.85 | -8% |
| Shoplifting | 51 | 5.5 | 0.67 | +50% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 38 | 4.1 | 0.61 | +15% |
| Other theft | 35 | 3.8 | 0.59 | +9% |
| Public order | 27 | 2.9 | 0.44 | +12% |
| Vehicle crime | 17 | 1.8 | 0.37 | -60% |
| Burglary | 15 | 1.6 | 0.46 | -6% |
| Drugs | 8 | 0.9 | 0.26 | -38% |
| Robbery | 4 | 0.4 | 0.32 | -20% |
| Other crime | 3 | 0.3 | 0.15 | +50% |
| Bicycle theft | 2 | 0.2 | 0.26 | -67% |
| Possession of weapons | 2 | 0.2 | 0.22 | -60% |
| Theft from the person | 1 | 0.1 | 0.06 | -80% |
Violence and sexual offences in Dorchester East
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Dorchester East recorded 167 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (18.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 34.1% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Dorchester East
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Dorchester East recorded 120 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 24.5% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Dorchester East
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Dorchester East recorded 51 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 50% on the year before. It made up 10.4% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Dorchester East
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Dorchester East recorded 38 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 15% on the year before. It made up 7.8% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Dorchester East
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Dorchester East recorded 35 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 7.1% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Dorchester East
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Dorchester East recorded 27 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 5.5% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Dorchester East
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Dorchester East recorded 17 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 60% on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Dorchester East
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Dorchester East recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Dorchester East
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Dorchester East recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 38% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Dorchester East
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Dorchester East recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Dorchester East
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Dorchester East recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 50% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Dorchester East
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Dorchester East recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 67% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Dorchester East
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Dorchester East recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 60% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Dorchester East
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Dorchester East recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 80% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Dorchester East, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Dorchester East.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Dorchester East |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dorchester West | 717 | 99.2 | +87% |
| Dorchester Poundbury | 430 | 70.0 | +32% |
| Winterborne & Broadmayne | 103 | 24.5 | -54% |
| Charminster St Mary's | 171 | 21.7 | -59% |
| Littlemoor & Preston | 630 | 56.3 | +6% |
| Crossways | 154 | 37.3 | -30% |
| Upwey & Broadwey | 210 | 55.6 | +5% |
| Radipole | 708 | 84.2 | +59% |
Police.uk records each crime at an approximate location, usually the centre of a nearby street or a landmark, to protect victims' privacy. These are the locations with the most reports in Dorchester East over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Little Britain | 47 |
| On or near B3144 | 25 |
| On or near Great Western Road | 23 |
| On or near Holbaek Close | 23 |
| On or near Linden Avenue | 23 |
| On or near Parking Area | 20 |
| On or near Salisbury Street | 18 |
| On or near Wilson Road | 18 |
| On or near Copper Street | 15 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 14 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Dorchester East over the 12 months to July 2026. Many cases are still open when the data is published, and anti-social behaviour has no outcome recorded, so these shares change as investigations finish.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Not recorded | 120 | 24.5% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 118 | 24.1% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 102 | 20.8% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 33 | 6.7% |
| Under investigation | 29 | 5.9% |
| Court result unavailable | 24 | 4.9% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 19 | 3.9% |
| Status update unavailable | 17 | 3.5% |
| Local resolution | 13 | 2.7% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 6 | 1.2% |
| Offender given a caution | 5 | 1.0% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.4% |
Dorchester East has an estimated population of 9,246. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Dorchester East sits in decile 6.8, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Dorchester East |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 15.2% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 57.1% |
| Aged 65 and over | 27.7% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 66.2% |
| Social rented homes | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 16.7% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.8 |
Is Dorchester East a safe place to live?
Dorchester East recorded 53.0 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4. Crime is concentrated in a small number of places within most areas, often busy centres and transport hubs, so the rate for a single street can differ a lot from the area as a whole.
What is the most common crime in Dorchester East?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 167 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (120).
Is crime in Dorchester East going up or down?
Recorded crime in Dorchester East was down 8% on the year before: 490 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 530 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Dorchester East?
Dorchester East is policed by Dorset. Non-emergency crimes can be reported online to the force or by calling 101; in an emergency call 999.
How are these crime rates calculated?
Each rate is the number of crimes recorded by the police in the 12 months to July 2026, divided by the resident population and multiplied by 1,000. Crime data is from data.police.uk and population estimates are from the Office for National Statistics.
Figures are police-recorded crime published on data.police.uk, covering August 2017 to July 2026. Each crime is counted in the small area (LSOA) where it was recorded and added up to Dorchester East. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.