Crime in Sturminster Newton, Dorset: statistics, rates and trends
305 crimes were recorded in Sturminster Newton, Dorset in the 12 months to July 2026, 63.2 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 20% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Sturminster Newton, Dorset at a glance
- Crime trends in Sturminster Newton, Dorset
- Types of crime in Sturminster Newton, Dorset
- Sturminster Newton, Dorset compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Sturminster Newton, Dorset
- What happened after crimes were reported in Sturminster Newton, Dorset
- Population and deprivation in Sturminster Newton, Dorset
- Questions about crime in Sturminster Newton, Dorset
- About this data
305 crimes were recorded in Sturminster Newton, Dorset in the 12 months to July 2026, 63.2 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 20% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 128 reports (42% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Sturminster Newton, Dorset has the 2,487th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Sturminster Newton, Dorset | Dorset | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 305 | 20,740 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 63.2 | 53.2 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +20% | -6% | -1% |
| Population | 4,829 | 389,947 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Sturminster Newton, Dorset was highest in the year to July 2020 (319 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2023 (251). Over the whole period it rose 15%, 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 | 305 | 63.2 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 255 | 52.8 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 266 | 55.1 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 251 | 52.0 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 295 | 61.1 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 312 | 64.6 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 319 | 66.1 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 285 | 59.0 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 265 | 54.9 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 33 |
| June 2026 | 24 |
| May 2026 | 36 |
| April 2026 | 31 |
| March 2026 | 24 |
| February 2026 | 25 |
| January 2026 | 26 |
| December 2025 | 15 |
| November 2025 | 20 |
| October 2025 | 28 |
| September 2025 | 21 |
| August 2025 | 22 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Sturminster Newton, Dorset 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.
The largest increases were in anti-social behaviour (+98%) and violence and sexual offences (+25%). The largest falls were in criminal damage and arson (-48%) and other theft (-36%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 128 | 26.5 | 0.77 | +25% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 99 | 20.5 | 1.34 | +98% |
| Public order | 17 | 3.5 | 0.53 | -15% |
| Other theft | 14 | 2.9 | 0.45 | -36% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 13 | 2.7 | 0.40 | -48% |
| Shoplifting | 12 | 2.5 | 0.30 | +1100% |
| Other crime | 7 | 1.4 | 0.69 | +40% |
| Burglary | 5 | 1.0 | 0.29 | -50% |
| Vehicle crime | 4 | 0.8 | 0.17 | -73% |
| Drugs | 3 | 0.6 | 0.19 | +50% |
| Possession of weapons | 2 | 0.4 | 0.43 | +0% |
| Theft from the person | 1 | 0.2 | 0.12 | n/a |
Violence and sexual offences in Sturminster Newton, Dorset
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Sturminster Newton, Dorset recorded 128 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (26.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 25% on the year before. It made up 42.0% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Sturminster Newton, Dorset
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Sturminster Newton, Dorset recorded 99 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (20.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 98% on the year before. It made up 32.5% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Sturminster Newton, Dorset
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Sturminster Newton, Dorset recorded 17 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 5.6% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Sturminster Newton, Dorset
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Sturminster Newton, Dorset recorded 14 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 36% on the year before. It made up 4.6% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Sturminster Newton, Dorset
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Sturminster Newton, Dorset recorded 13 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 48% on the year before. It made up 4.3% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Sturminster Newton, Dorset
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Sturminster Newton, Dorset recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 1100% on the year before. It made up 3.9% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Sturminster Newton, Dorset
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Sturminster Newton, Dorset recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 40% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Sturminster Newton, Dorset
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Sturminster Newton, Dorset recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Sturminster Newton, Dorset
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Sturminster Newton, Dorset recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 73% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Sturminster Newton, Dorset
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Sturminster Newton, Dorset recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 50% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Sturminster Newton, Dorset
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Sturminster Newton, Dorset recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Sturminster Newton, Dorset
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Sturminster Newton, Dorset recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Sturminster Newton, Dorset, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Sturminster Newton, Dorset.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Sturminster Newton, Dorset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stalbridge & Marnhull | 181 | 30.0 | -53% |
| Blackmore Vale | 122 | 30.7 | -51% |
| Beacon | 200 | 35.3 | -44% |
| Hill Forts & Upper Tarrants | 170 | 32.0 | -49% |
| Shaftesbury Town | 676 | 72.0 | +14% |
| Gillingham | 620 | 40.7 | -36% |
| Blandford | 562 | 53.2 | -16% |
| Winterborne North | 273 | 53.5 | -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 Sturminster Newton, Dorset over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Selwood Close | 33 |
| On or near Stourcastle | 32 |
| On or near Stour View Close | 25 |
| On or near Parking Area | 18 |
| On or near Market Place | 17 |
| On or near Station Road | 17 |
| On or near Green Close | 15 |
| On or near North Fields | 15 |
| On or near Ricketts Lane | 11 |
| On or near Coles Close | 10 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Sturminster Newton, Dorset 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 | 99 | 32.5% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 88 | 28.9% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 48 | 15.7% |
| Under investigation | 25 | 8.2% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 14 | 4.6% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 7 | 2.3% |
| Status update unavailable | 5 | 1.6% |
| Offender given a caution | 5 | 1.6% |
| Local resolution | 5 | 1.6% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 3 | 1.0% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 3 | 1.0% |
| Court result unavailable | 2 | 0.7% |
Sturminster Newton, Dorset has an estimated population of 4,829. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Sturminster Newton, Dorset sits in decile 5.9, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Sturminster Newton, Dorset |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 13.7% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 56.4% |
| Aged 65 and over | 29.9% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 65.5% |
| Social rented homes | 15.9% |
| Private rented homes | 18.6% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.9 |
Is Sturminster Newton, Dorset a safe place to live?
Sturminster Newton, Dorset recorded 63.2 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 Sturminster Newton, Dorset?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 128 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (99).
Is crime in Sturminster Newton, Dorset going up or down?
Recorded crime in Sturminster Newton, Dorset was up 20% on the year before: 305 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 255 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Sturminster Newton, Dorset?
Sturminster Newton, Dorset 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 Sturminster Newton, Dorset. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.