Crime in Wareham, Dorset: statistics, rates and trends
579 crimes were recorded in Wareham, Dorset in the 12 months to July 2026, 55.3 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 3% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Wareham, Dorset at a glance
- Crime trends in Wareham, Dorset
- Types of crime in Wareham, Dorset
- Wareham, Dorset compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Wareham, Dorset
- What happened after crimes were reported in Wareham, Dorset
- Population and deprivation in Wareham, Dorset
- Questions about crime in Wareham, Dorset
- About this data
579 crimes were recorded in Wareham, Dorset in the 12 months to July 2026, 55.3 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 3% on the year before. The most common offence was anti-social behaviour, with 177 reports (31% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Wareham, Dorset has the 2,805th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Wareham, Dorset | Dorset | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 579 | 20,740 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 55.3 | 53.2 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -3% | -6% | -1% |
| Population | 10,467 | 389,947 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Wareham, Dorset was highest in the year to July 2021 (837 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2023 (570). Over the whole period it fell 25%, 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 | 579 | 55.3 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 598 | 57.1 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 639 | 61.0 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 570 | 54.5 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 665 | 63.5 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 837 | 80.0 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 782 | 74.7 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 799 | 76.3 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 775 | 74.0 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 65 |
| June 2026 | 46 |
| May 2026 | 56 |
| April 2026 | 71 |
| March 2026 | 68 |
| February 2026 | 44 |
| January 2026 | 27 |
| December 2025 | 31 |
| November 2025 | 31 |
| October 2025 | 40 |
| September 2025 | 46 |
| August 2025 | 54 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Wareham, 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. The largest increases were in anti-social behaviour (+51%) and shoplifting (+34%).
The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-64%) and criminal damage and arson (-31%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anti-social behaviour | 177 | 16.9 | 1.10 | +51% |
| Violence and sexual offences | 166 | 15.9 | 0.46 | -3% |
| Shoplifting | 47 | 4.5 | 0.54 | +34% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 46 | 4.4 | 0.65 | -31% |
| Other theft | 45 | 4.3 | 0.67 | -31% |
| Burglary | 30 | 2.9 | 0.81 | -12% |
| Public order | 28 | 2.7 | 0.40 | -15% |
| Vehicle crime | 18 | 1.7 | 0.35 | -64% |
| Drugs | 11 | 1.1 | 0.32 | +175% |
| Possession of weapons | 4 | 0.4 | 0.39 | +0% |
| Other crime | 3 | 0.3 | 0.14 | -40% |
| Robbery | 2 | 0.2 | 0.14 | n/a |
| Bicycle theft | 1 | 0.1 | 0.12 | -90% |
| Theft from the person | 1 | 0.1 | 0.06 | -50% |
Anti-social behaviour in Wareham, Dorset
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Wareham, Dorset recorded 177 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (16.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 51% on the year before. It made up 30.6% of all crime in the area.
Violence and sexual offences in Wareham, Dorset
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Wareham, Dorset recorded 166 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 28.7% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Wareham, Dorset
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Wareham, Dorset recorded 47 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 34% on the year before. It made up 8.1% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Wareham, Dorset
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Wareham, Dorset recorded 46 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 31% on the year before. It made up 7.9% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Wareham, Dorset
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Wareham, Dorset recorded 45 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 31% on the year before. It made up 7.8% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Wareham, Dorset
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Wareham, Dorset recorded 30 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 5.2% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Wareham, Dorset
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Wareham, Dorset recorded 28 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Wareham, Dorset
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Wareham, Dorset recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 64% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Wareham, Dorset
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Wareham, Dorset recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 175% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Wareham, Dorset
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Wareham, Dorset recorded 4 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.
Other crime in Wareham, Dorset
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Wareham, Dorset recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 40% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Wareham, Dorset
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Wareham, Dorset recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Wareham, Dorset
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Wareham, Dorset recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 90% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Wareham, Dorset
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Wareham, Dorset recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Wareham, Dorset, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Wareham, Dorset.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Wareham, Dorset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lytchett Matravers & Upton | 494 | 38.2 | -31% |
| West Purbeck | 527 | 48.5 | -12% |
| South East Purbeck | 115 | 35.4 | -36% |
| Corfe Mullen | 372 | 34.8 | -37% |
| Swanage | 459 | 48.8 | -12% |
| Wimborne Minster | 897 | 80.4 | +45% |
| Puddletown & Lower Winterborne | 169 | 25.5 | -54% |
| Stour & Allen Vale | 195 | 38.0 | -31% |
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 Wareham, Dorset over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 64 |
| On or near Fir Avenue | 32 |
| On or near Parking Area | 31 |
| On or near Wareham Road | 29 |
| On or near Christmas Close | 18 |
| On or near Pride Place | 17 |
| On or near North Causeway | 15 |
| On or near Admirals Way | 12 |
| On or near Hibbs Close | 12 |
| On or near Roper'S Lane | 12 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Wareham, 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 | 177 | 30.6% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 159 | 27.5% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 125 | 21.6% |
| Under investigation | 38 | 6.6% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 27 | 4.7% |
| Status update unavailable | 15 | 2.6% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 13 | 2.2% |
| Local resolution | 10 | 1.7% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 6 | 1.0% |
| Offender given a caution | 6 | 1.0% |
| Court result unavailable | 2 | 0.3% |
| Suspect charged as part of another case | 1 | 0.2% |
Wareham, Dorset has an estimated population of 10,467. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Wareham, Dorset sits in decile 6.1, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Wareham, Dorset |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 14.1% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 52.4% |
| Aged 65 and over | 33.6% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 70.8% |
| Social rented homes | 14.2% |
| Private rented homes | 14.9% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.1 |
Is Wareham, Dorset a safe place to live?
Wareham, Dorset recorded 55.3 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 Wareham, Dorset?
Anti-social behaviour was the most common category, with 177 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by violence and sexual offences (166).
Is crime in Wareham, Dorset going up or down?
Recorded crime in Wareham, Dorset was down 3% on the year before: 579 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 598 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Wareham, Dorset?
Wareham, 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 Wareham, Dorset. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.