Crime in West Purbeck: statistics, rates and trends
527 crimes were recorded in West Purbeck in the 12 months to July 2026, 48.5 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 10% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in West Purbeck at a glance
- Crime trends in West Purbeck
- Types of crime in West Purbeck
- West Purbeck compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in West Purbeck
- What happened after crimes were reported in West Purbeck
- Population and deprivation in West Purbeck
- Questions about crime in West Purbeck
- About this data
527 crimes were recorded in West Purbeck in the 12 months to July 2026, 48.5 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 10% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 194 reports (37% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, West Purbeck has the 3,082nd highest crime rate.
| Measure | West Purbeck | Dorset | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 527 | 20,740 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 48.5 | 53.2 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -10% | -6% | -1% |
| Population | 10,863 | 389,947 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in West Purbeck was highest in the year to July 2021 (863 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (527). Over the whole period it fell 31%, 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 | 527 | 48.5 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 588 | 54.1 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 578 | 53.2 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 618 | 56.9 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 625 | 57.5 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 863 | 79.4 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 736 | 67.8 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 697 | 64.2 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 765 | 70.4 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 59 |
| June 2026 | 39 |
| May 2026 | 39 |
| April 2026 | 48 |
| March 2026 | 48 |
| February 2026 | 32 |
| January 2026 | 37 |
| December 2025 | 38 |
| November 2025 | 37 |
| October 2025 | 65 |
| September 2025 | 41 |
| August 2025 | 44 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in West 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 increases were in other theft (+39%).
The largest falls were in public order (-51%) and criminal damage and arson (-21%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 194 | 17.9 | 0.52 | -6% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 139 | 12.8 | 0.83 | -20% |
| Other theft | 64 | 5.9 | 0.92 | +39% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 33 | 3.0 | 0.45 | -21% |
| Public order | 26 | 2.4 | 0.36 | -51% |
| Vehicle crime | 25 | 2.3 | 0.47 | +32% |
| Burglary | 21 | 1.9 | 0.55 | +62% |
| Shoplifting | 10 | 0.9 | 0.11 | -44% |
| Drugs | 6 | 0.6 | 0.17 | +100% |
| Other crime | 4 | 0.4 | 0.17 | -33% |
| Possession of weapons | 3 | 0.3 | 0.28 | -40% |
| Theft from the person | 2 | 0.2 | 0.11 | +100% |
Violence and sexual offences in West Purbeck
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. West Purbeck recorded 194 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 36.8% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in West Purbeck
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. West Purbeck recorded 139 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 26.4% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in West Purbeck
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. West Purbeck recorded 64 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 39% on the year before. It made up 12.1% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in West Purbeck
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. West Purbeck recorded 33 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 6.3% of all crime in the area.
Public order in West Purbeck
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. West Purbeck recorded 26 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 51% on the year before. It made up 4.9% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in West Purbeck
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. West Purbeck recorded 25 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 32% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in West Purbeck
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. West Purbeck recorded 21 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 62% on the year before. It made up 4.0% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in West Purbeck
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. West Purbeck recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 44% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in West Purbeck
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. West Purbeck recorded 6 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 100% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in West Purbeck
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. West Purbeck recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in West Purbeck
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. West Purbeck recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 40% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in West Purbeck
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. West Purbeck recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to West Purbeck, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to West Purbeck.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs West Purbeck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crossways | 154 | 37.3 | -23% |
| Wareham | 579 | 55.3 | +14% |
| Puddletown & Lower Winterborne | 169 | 25.5 | -48% |
| Dorchester East | 490 | 53.0 | +9% |
| Winterborne & Broadmayne | 103 | 24.5 | -50% |
| Lytchett Matravers & Upton | 494 | 38.2 | -21% |
| Dorchester West | 717 | 99.2 | +105% |
| Littlemoor & Preston | 630 | 56.3 | +16% |
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 West Purbeck over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Giddy Green Lane | 81 |
| On or near Pigeon Close | 29 |
| On or near Parking Area | 25 |
| On or near Back Lane | 17 |
| On or near High Street | 16 |
| On or near Park/Open Space | 15 |
| On or near North Street | 14 |
| On or near Main Road | 13 |
| On or near New Road | 11 |
| On or near Britwell Drive | 10 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in West 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.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 144 | 27.3% |
| Not recorded | 139 | 26.4% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 133 | 25.2% |
| Under investigation | 55 | 10.4% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 14 | 2.7% |
| Status update unavailable | 10 | 1.9% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 10 | 1.9% |
| Local resolution | 7 | 1.3% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 6 | 1.1% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 4 | 0.8% |
| Offender given a caution | 3 | 0.6% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.4% |
West Purbeck has an estimated population of 10,863. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in West Purbeck sits in decile 5.4, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | West Purbeck |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 18.7% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 58.4% |
| Aged 65 and over | 22.9% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 61.0% |
| Social rented homes | 16.1% |
| Private rented homes | 22.9% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.4 |
Is West Purbeck a safe place to live?
West Purbeck recorded 48.5 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 West Purbeck?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 194 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (139).
Is crime in West Purbeck going up or down?
Recorded crime in West Purbeck was down 10% on the year before: 527 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 588 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers West Purbeck?
West Purbeck 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 West Purbeck. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.