Crime in Sherborne West: statistics, rates and trends
445 crimes were recorded in Sherborne West in the 12 months to August 2026, 69.4 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and up 10% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime map
- Crime in Sherborne West at a glance
- Crime trends in Sherborne West
- Types of crime in Sherborne West
- Sherborne West compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Sherborne West
- What happened after crimes were reported in Sherborne West
- Demographics of Sherborne West
- Questions about crime in Sherborne West
- About this data
Crime map
Anti-social behaviour (165), violence and sexual offences (135) and shoplifting (55) made up 80% of all recorded crime. Its crime rate ranks 2,257th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site (1 = highest), in the lower half.
| Measure | Sherborne West | Dorset | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to August 2026 | 445 | 21,072 | 5,618,064 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 69.4 | 54.0 | 96.7 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +10% | -4% | -1% |
| Population | 6,416 | 389,947 | 58,127,638 |
The year to August 2026 had the most recorded crime in Sherborne West of any year here (445 crimes). Between the years to August 2018 and 2026 it rose 16%, while across England and Wales it fell 4%.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to August 2026 | 445 | 69.4 | 96.7 |
| Year to August 2025 | 406 | 63.3 | 97.2 |
| Year to August 2024 | 316 | 49.3 | 97.9 |
| Year to August 2023 | 332 | 51.7 | n/a |
| Year to August 2022 | 372 | 58.0 | 102.0 |
| Year to August 2021 | 351 | 54.7 | 101.4 |
| Year to August 2020 | 354 | 55.2 | 102.7 |
| Year to August 2019 | 319 | 49.7 | 101.7 |
| Year to August 2018 | 382 | 59.5 | 100.8 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 44 |
| July 2026 | 40 |
| June 2026 | 34 |
| May 2026 | 34 |
| April 2026 | 29 |
| March 2026 | 25 |
| February 2026 | 40 |
| January 2026 | 30 |
| December 2025 | 25 |
| November 2025 | 35 |
| October 2025 | 57 |
| September 2025 | 52 |
Compared with England and Wales, Sherborne West recorded notably more anti-social behaviour (67% above the national rate), and notably less criminal damage and arson (47% below) and violence and sexual offences (39% below). On the year before, anti-social behaviour rose from 98 to 165 and criminal damage and arson rose from 20 to 23, while shoplifting fell from 68 to 55.
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anti-social behaviour | 165 | 25.7 | 15.4 | +68% |
| Violence and sexual offences | 135 | 21.0 | 34.2 | +7% |
| Shoplifting | 55 | 8.6 | 8.5 | -19% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 23 | 3.6 | 6.7 | +15% |
| Other theft | 17 | 2.6 | 6.4 | n/a |
| Burglary | 16 | 2.5 | 3.6 | n/a |
| Public order | 15 | 2.3 | 6.7 | n/a |
| Other crime | 6 | 0.9 | 2.1 | n/a |
| Drugs | 3 | 0.5 | 3.3 | n/a |
| Possession of weapons | 3 | 0.5 | 1.0 | n/a |
| Robbery | 3 | 0.5 | 1.4 | n/a |
| Vehicle crime | 3 | 0.5 | 5.0 | n/a |
| Bicycle theft | 1 | 0.2 | 0.8 | n/a |
What each category covers: crime categories.
Sherborne West has a higher crime rate than all 8 of its nearest neighbourhoods.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Sherborne West |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sherborne East | 222 | 49.1 | -29% |
| Sherborne Rural | 154 | 37.6 | -46% |
| Yetminster | 144 | 24.4 | -65% |
| Stalbridge & Marnhull | 178 | 29.5 | -57% |
| Sturminster Newton | 317 | 65.6 | -5% |
| Blackmore Vale | 119 | 29.9 | -57% |
| Gillingham | 635 | 41.7 | -40% |
| Beaminster | 129 | 29.0 | -58% |
The 10 locations below account for 54% of the crime recorded in Sherborne West over the 12 months to August 2026; the most were recorded at “Shutler Street” (51).
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Shutler Street | 51 |
| On or near Cheap Street | 39 |
| On or near Durrant Close | 38 |
| On or near Supermarket | 26 |
| On or near Pitmans Way | 20 |
| On or near Highmore Road | 15 |
| On or near Half Moon Street | 14 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 13 |
| On or near Theatre/Concert Hall | 12 |
| On or near Amors Drove | 11 |
Of the 280 crimes in Sherborne West with a recorded outcome, 26% ended with the investigation complete and no suspect identified, against 35% across England and Wales; 9.6% were awaiting a court outcome (England and Wales: 5.2%). The 165 anti-social behaviour reports have no outcome and are left out.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 98 | 35.0% | 34.5% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 73 | 26.1% | 35.3% |
| Under investigation | 46 | 16.4% | 11.5% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 27 | 9.6% | 5.2% |
| Status update unavailable | 10 | 3.6% | 4.7% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 8 | 2.9% | 1.3% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 6 | 2.1% | 0.5% |
| Local resolution | 5 | 1.8% | 3.1% |
| Offender given a caution | 4 | 1.4% | 0.6% |
| Court result unavailable | 1 | 0.4% | 2.5% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.4% | 0.3% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.4% | 0.3% |
Sherborne West has an estimated population of 6,416 (ONS, mid-2024). Compared with England and Wales it has more students (12.6%, against 7.9%), an older population (30%, against 19%) and more retired residents (33%, against 22%). On the England IoD 2025, the small areas (LSOAs) that make up Sherborne West average decile 7.0 (1 = most deprived), less deprived than average.
| Measure | Sherborne West | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 19.4% | 18.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 29.7% | 18.9% |
| Residents 16+ in work | 45.4% | 57.2% |
| Residents 16+ unemployed | 2.9% | 3.4% |
| Residents 16+ retired | 32.7% | 21.6% |
| Residents 16+ who are students | 12.6% | 7.9% |
| Residents 16+ with Level 4 qualifications or above (degree, HND and similar) | 34.1% | 33.8% |
| Residents 16+ with no qualifications | 15.0% | 18.2% |
| Households with no car or van | 19.0% | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 59.8% | 62.5% |
| Social rented homes | 21.0% | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 19.2% | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 7.0 | 5.5 (England) |
Is Sherborne West a safe place to live?
Sherborne West recorded 69.4 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to August 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and ranks 2,257th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods on this site by crime rate (1 = highest). The categories most above the national rate were anti-social behaviour.
What is the most common crime in Sherborne West?
Anti-social behaviour was the most common category, with 165 reports in the 12 months to August 2026, followed by violence and sexual offences (135).
Is crime in Sherborne West going up or down?
Recorded crime in Sherborne West was up 10% on the year before: 445 crimes in the 12 months to August 2026 against 406 in the previous 12 months.
What is the population of Sherborne West?
About 6,416 people (ONS mid-2024 estimate), 30% of them aged 65 or over (England and Wales: 19%).
Which police force covers Sherborne West?
Sherborne West is policed by Dorset.
Police-recorded crime from data.police.uk (September 2017 to August 2026), ONS population estimates and Census 2021. Definitions and limitations: methodology.