Crime in Sherborne Rural: statistics, rates and trends
148 crimes were recorded in Sherborne Rural in the 12 months to July 2026, 36.2 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 33% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Sherborne Rural at a glance
- Crime trends in Sherborne Rural
- Types of crime in Sherborne Rural
- Sherborne Rural compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Sherborne Rural
- What happened after crimes were reported in Sherborne Rural
- Population and deprivation in Sherborne Rural
- Questions about crime in Sherborne Rural
- About this data
148 crimes were recorded in Sherborne Rural in the 12 months to July 2026, 36.2 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 33% on the year before. The most common offence was shoplifting, with 59 reports (40% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Sherborne Rural has the 3,590th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Sherborne Rural | Dorset | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 148 | 20,740 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 36.2 | 53.2 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -33% | -6% | -1% |
| Population | 4,092 | 389,947 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Sherborne Rural was highest in the year to July 2025 (220 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2022 (141). Over the whole period it fell 29%, 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 | 148 | 36.2 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 220 | 53.8 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 192 | 46.9 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 145 | 35.4 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 141 | 34.5 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 169 | 41.3 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 187 | 45.7 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 171 | 41.8 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 207 | 50.6 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 14 |
| June 2026 | 7 |
| May 2026 | 13 |
| April 2026 | 7 |
| March 2026 | 14 |
| February 2026 | 19 |
| January 2026 | 13 |
| December 2025 | 6 |
| November 2025 | 10 |
| October 2025 | 13 |
| September 2025 | 18 |
| August 2025 | 14 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Sherborne Rural 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 shoplifting.
The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-56%) and violence and sexual offences (-39%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shoplifting | 59 | 14.4 | 1.74 | -33% |
| Violence and sexual offences | 27 | 6.6 | 0.19 | -39% |
| Burglary | 18 | 4.4 | 1.24 | +500% |
| Other theft | 16 | 3.9 | 0.61 | +45% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 15 | 3.7 | 0.24 | -56% |
| Public order | 4 | 1.0 | 0.15 | -50% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 3 | 0.7 | 0.11 | -79% |
| Other crime | 2 | 0.5 | 0.23 | +100% |
| Bicycle theft | 1 | 0.2 | 0.30 | n/a |
| Drugs | 1 | 0.2 | 0.07 | -50% |
| Robbery | 1 | 0.2 | 0.18 | -67% |
| Vehicle crime | 1 | 0.2 | 0.05 | -90% |
Shoplifting in Sherborne Rural
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Sherborne Rural recorded 59 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (14.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 39.9% of all crime in the area.
Violence and sexual offences in Sherborne Rural
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Sherborne Rural recorded 27 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 39% on the year before. It made up 18.2% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Sherborne Rural
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Sherborne Rural recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 500% on the year before. It made up 12.2% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Sherborne Rural
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Sherborne Rural recorded 16 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 45% on the year before. It made up 10.8% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Sherborne Rural
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Sherborne Rural recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 56% on the year before. It made up 10.1% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Sherborne Rural
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Sherborne Rural recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Sherborne Rural
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Sherborne Rural recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 79% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Sherborne Rural
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Sherborne Rural recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Sherborne Rural
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Sherborne Rural recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Sherborne Rural
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Sherborne Rural recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Sherborne Rural
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Sherborne Rural recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 67% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Sherborne Rural
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Sherborne Rural recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 90% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Sherborne Rural, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Sherborne Rural.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Sherborne Rural |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sherborne West | 436 | 68.0 | +88% |
| Sherborne East | 229 | 50.7 | +40% |
| Yetminster | 150 | 25.4 | -30% |
| Stalbridge & Marnhull | 181 | 30.0 | -17% |
| Blackmore Vale | 122 | 30.7 | -15% |
| Sturminster Newton | 305 | 63.2 | +75% |
| Beaminster | 139 | 31.3 | -14% |
| Eggardon | 173 | 28.4 | -22% |
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 Sherborne Rural over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 46 |
| On or near Compton Road | 28 |
| On or near Digby Crescent | 6 |
| On or near Pound Road | 5 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 5 |
| On or near Underdown Lane | 5 |
| On or near Well Lane | 5 |
| On or near A3030 | 2 |
| On or near Church Green | 2 |
| On or near Church Road | 2 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Sherborne Rural 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 | 80 | 54.1% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 24 | 16.2% |
| Not recorded | 15 | 10.1% |
| Under investigation | 14 | 9.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 8 | 5.4% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 6 | 4.1% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 1 | 0.7% |
Sherborne Rural has an estimated population of 4,092. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Sherborne Rural sits in decile 6.5, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Sherborne Rural |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 13.8% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 54.2% |
| Aged 65 and over | 32.0% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 70.8% |
| Social rented homes | 9.0% |
| Private rented homes | 20.0% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.5 |
Is Sherborne Rural a safe place to live?
Sherborne Rural recorded 36.2 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 Sherborne Rural?
Shoplifting was the most common category, with 59 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by violence and sexual offences (27).
Is crime in Sherborne Rural going up or down?
Recorded crime in Sherborne Rural was down 33% on the year before: 148 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 220 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Sherborne Rural?
Sherborne Rural 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 Sherborne Rural. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.