Crime in Dorchester West: statistics, rates and trends
717 crimes were recorded in Dorchester West in the 12 months to July 2026, 99.2 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 13% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Dorchester West at a glance
- Crime trends in Dorchester West
- Types of crime in Dorchester West
- Dorchester West compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Dorchester West
- What happened after crimes were reported in Dorchester West
- Population and deprivation in Dorchester West
- Questions about crime in Dorchester West
- About this data
717 crimes were recorded in Dorchester West in the 12 months to July 2026, 99.2 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 13% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 226 reports (32% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Dorchester West has the 1,257th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Dorchester West | Dorset | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 717 | 20,740 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 99.2 | 53.2 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -13% | -6% | -1% |
| Population | 7,225 | 389,947 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Dorchester West was highest in the year to July 2018 (1,150 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (717). Over the whole period it fell 38%, 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 | 717 | 99.2 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 824 | 114.0 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 892 | 123.5 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 947 | 131.1 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 875 | 121.1 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 806 | 111.6 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 895 | 123.9 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,034 | 143.1 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,150 | 159.2 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 63 |
| June 2026 | 50 |
| May 2026 | 74 |
| April 2026 | 66 |
| March 2026 | 71 |
| February 2026 | 50 |
| January 2026 | 43 |
| December 2025 | 44 |
| November 2025 | 78 |
| October 2025 | 73 |
| September 2025 | 51 |
| August 2025 | 54 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Dorchester West 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. Rates were well above the national level for anti-social behaviour, shoplifting.
The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-36%) and other theft (-36%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 226 | 31.3 | 0.91 | -10% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 170 | 23.5 | 1.53 | +6% |
| Shoplifting | 133 | 18.4 | 2.22 | -7% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 46 | 6.4 | 0.94 | -16% |
| Public order | 35 | 4.8 | 0.73 | -26% |
| Other theft | 34 | 4.7 | 0.74 | -36% |
| Vehicle crime | 30 | 4.2 | 0.84 | -36% |
| Burglary | 12 | 1.7 | 0.47 | -33% |
| Drugs | 12 | 1.7 | 0.51 | -20% |
| Other crime | 6 | 0.8 | 0.39 | -62% |
| Possession of weapons | 5 | 0.7 | 0.71 | -29% |
| Bicycle theft | 4 | 0.6 | 0.67 | +33% |
| Robbery | 4 | 0.6 | 0.41 | +33% |
Violence and sexual offences in Dorchester West
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Dorchester West recorded 226 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (31.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 31.5% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Dorchester West
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Dorchester West recorded 170 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (23.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 23.7% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Dorchester West
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Dorchester West recorded 133 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (18.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 18.5% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Dorchester West
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Dorchester West recorded 46 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 6.4% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Dorchester West
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Dorchester West recorded 35 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 4.9% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Dorchester West
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Dorchester West recorded 34 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 36% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Dorchester West
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Dorchester West recorded 30 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 36% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Dorchester West
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Dorchester West recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Dorchester West
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Dorchester West recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Dorchester West
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Dorchester West recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 62% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Dorchester West
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Dorchester West recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Dorchester West
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Dorchester West recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Dorchester West
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Dorchester West recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Dorchester West, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Dorchester West.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Dorchester West |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dorchester East | 490 | 53.0 | -47% |
| Dorchester Poundbury | 430 | 70.0 | -29% |
| Winterborne & Broadmayne | 103 | 24.5 | -75% |
| Charminster St Mary's | 171 | 21.7 | -78% |
| Littlemoor & Preston | 630 | 56.3 | -43% |
| Upwey & Broadwey | 210 | 55.6 | -44% |
| Crossways | 154 | 37.3 | -62% |
| Radipole | 708 | 84.2 | -15% |
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 West over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 73 |
| On or near Dorchester West | 50 |
| On or near Parking Area | 47 |
| On or near High West Street | 45 |
| On or near Hospital | 39 |
| On or near New Street | 31 |
| On or near Alexandra Terrace | 29 |
| On or near South Street | 22 |
| On or near Margaret Place | 19 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 19 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Dorchester West 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 183 | 25.5% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 172 | 24.0% |
| Not recorded | 170 | 23.7% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 69 | 9.6% |
| Under investigation | 39 | 5.4% |
| Status update unavailable | 29 | 4.0% |
| Local resolution | 15 | 2.1% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 12 | 1.7% |
| Court result unavailable | 11 | 1.5% |
| Offender given a caution | 10 | 1.4% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 3 | 0.4% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.4% |
Dorchester West has an estimated population of 7,225. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Dorchester West sits in decile 6.9, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Dorchester West |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 15.0% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 56.5% |
| Aged 65 and over | 28.5% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 65.9% |
| Social rented homes | 13.9% |
| Private rented homes | 20.2% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.9 |
Is Dorchester West a safe place to live?
Dorchester West recorded 99.2 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, close to 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 West?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 226 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (170).
Is crime in Dorchester West going up or down?
Recorded crime in Dorchester West was down 13% on the year before: 717 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 824 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Dorchester West?
Dorchester West 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 West. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.