Crime in South East Purbeck: statistics, rates and trends

115 crimes were recorded in South East Purbeck in the 12 months to July 2026, 35.4 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 12% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 41 reports (36% of the total).

Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, South East Purbeck has the 3,621st highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in South East Purbeck was highest in the year to July 2020 (283 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (115). Over the whole period it fell 56%, 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.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in South East Purbeck 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 falls were in violence and sexual offences (-33%).

Violence and sexual offences in South East Purbeck

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. South East Purbeck recorded 41 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 35.7% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in South East Purbeck

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. South East Purbeck recorded 21 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 24% on the year before. It made up 18.3% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in South East Purbeck

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. South East Purbeck recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 15.7% of all crime in the area.

Public order in South East Purbeck

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. South East Purbeck recorded 13 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 44% on the year before. It made up 11.3% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in South East Purbeck

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. South East Purbeck recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 7.0% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in South East Purbeck

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. South East Purbeck recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 4.3% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in South East Purbeck

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. South East Purbeck recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 4.3% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in South East Purbeck

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. South East Purbeck recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in South East Purbeck

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. South East Purbeck recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in South East Purbeck

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. South East Purbeck recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in South East Purbeck

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. South East Purbeck recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to South East Purbeck, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to South East Purbeck.

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 South East Purbeck over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in South East Purbeck 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.

South East Purbeck has an estimated population of 3,251. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in South East Purbeck sits in decile 5.5, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

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 South East Purbeck. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.