Crime in Shaftesbury Town: statistics, rates and trends
676 crimes were recorded in Shaftesbury Town in the 12 months to July 2026, 72.0 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 5% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Shaftesbury Town at a glance
- Crime trends in Shaftesbury Town
- Types of crime in Shaftesbury Town
- Shaftesbury Town compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Shaftesbury Town
- What happened after crimes were reported in Shaftesbury Town
- Population and deprivation in Shaftesbury Town
- Questions about crime in Shaftesbury Town
- About this data
676 crimes were recorded in Shaftesbury Town in the 12 months to July 2026, 72.0 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 5% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 207 reports (31% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Shaftesbury Town has the 2,141st highest crime rate.
| Measure | Shaftesbury Town | Dorset | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 676 | 20,740 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 72.0 | 53.2 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -5% | -6% | -1% |
| Population | 9,389 | 389,947 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Shaftesbury Town was highest in the year to July 2019 (762 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (552). Over the whole period it fell 1%, 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 | 676 | 72.0 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 708 | 75.4 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 552 | 58.8 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 649 | 69.1 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 645 | 68.7 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 610 | 65.0 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 692 | 73.7 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 762 | 81.2 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 686 | 73.1 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 86 |
| June 2026 | 62 |
| May 2026 | 65 |
| April 2026 | 51 |
| March 2026 | 59 |
| February 2026 | 57 |
| January 2026 | 46 |
| December 2025 | 58 |
| November 2025 | 40 |
| October 2025 | 44 |
| September 2025 | 54 |
| August 2025 | 54 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Shaftesbury Town 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 (+66%) and burglary (+35%).
The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-36%) and criminal damage and arson (-34%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 207 | 22.0 | 0.64 | -5% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 172 | 18.3 | 1.19 | +1% |
| Shoplifting | 73 | 7.8 | 0.94 | +66% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 54 | 5.8 | 0.85 | -34% |
| Other theft | 41 | 4.4 | 0.68 | +28% |
| Burglary | 35 | 3.7 | 1.05 | +35% |
| Vehicle crime | 35 | 3.7 | 0.76 | -36% |
| Public order | 29 | 3.1 | 0.46 | -29% |
| Drugs | 11 | 1.2 | 0.36 | +10% |
| Other crime | 10 | 1.1 | 0.50 | -17% |
| Robbery | 5 | 0.5 | 0.39 | -17% |
| Theft from the person | 3 | 0.3 | 0.19 | -25% |
| Possession of weapons | 1 | 0.1 | 0.11 | -67% |
Violence and sexual offences in Shaftesbury Town
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Shaftesbury Town recorded 207 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (22.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 30.6% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Shaftesbury Town
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Shaftesbury Town recorded 172 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (18.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 25.4% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Shaftesbury Town
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Shaftesbury Town recorded 73 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 66% on the year before. It made up 10.8% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Shaftesbury Town
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Shaftesbury Town recorded 54 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 34% on the year before. It made up 8.0% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Shaftesbury Town
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Shaftesbury Town recorded 41 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 28% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Shaftesbury Town
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Shaftesbury Town recorded 35 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 35% on the year before. It made up 5.2% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Shaftesbury Town
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Shaftesbury Town recorded 35 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 36% on the year before. It made up 5.2% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Shaftesbury Town
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Shaftesbury Town recorded 29 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 4.3% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Shaftesbury Town
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Shaftesbury Town recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Shaftesbury Town
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Shaftesbury Town recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Shaftesbury Town
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Shaftesbury Town recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Shaftesbury Town
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Shaftesbury Town recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Shaftesbury Town
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Shaftesbury Town recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 67% on the year before. It made up 0.1% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Shaftesbury Town, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Shaftesbury Town.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Shaftesbury Town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beacon | 200 | 35.3 | -51% |
| Gillingham | 620 | 40.7 | -44% |
| Sturminster Newton | 305 | 63.2 | -12% |
| Hill Forts & Upper Tarrants | 170 | 32.0 | -56% |
| Stalbridge & Marnhull | 181 | 30.0 | -58% |
| Cranborne Chase | 134 | 25.7 | -64% |
| Blandford | 562 | 53.2 | -26% |
| Blackmore Vale | 122 | 30.7 | -57% |
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 Shaftesbury Town over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 41 |
| On or near Theatre/Concert Hall | 41 |
| On or near Fountain Mead | 26 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 23 |
| On or near Kingsbere Lane | 22 |
| On or near Mampitts Lane | 22 |
| On or near Border Close | 19 |
| On or near Coles Crescent | 17 |
| On or near Nettlecombe | 16 |
| On or near Parking Area | 16 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Shaftesbury Town 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 | 172 | 25.4% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 168 | 24.9% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 162 | 24.0% |
| Under investigation | 66 | 9.8% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 32 | 4.7% |
| Status update unavailable | 23 | 3.4% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 18 | 2.7% |
| Court result unavailable | 12 | 1.8% |
| Local resolution | 10 | 1.5% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 9 | 1.3% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.3% |
| Offender given a caution | 2 | 0.3% |
Shaftesbury Town has an estimated population of 9,389. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Shaftesbury Town sits in decile 5.9, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Shaftesbury Town |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.1% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 58.4% |
| Aged 65 and over | 24.5% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 65.0% |
| Social rented homes | 16.0% |
| Private rented homes | 19.0% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.9 |
Is Shaftesbury Town a safe place to live?
Shaftesbury Town recorded 72.0 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 Shaftesbury Town?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 207 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (172).
Is crime in Shaftesbury Town going up or down?
Recorded crime in Shaftesbury Town was down 5% on the year before: 676 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 708 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Shaftesbury Town?
Shaftesbury Town 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 Shaftesbury Town. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.