Crime in Westham, Dorset: statistics, rates and trends
958 crimes were recorded in Westham, Dorset in the 12 months to July 2026, 98.9 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 6% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Westham, Dorset at a glance
- Crime trends in Westham, Dorset
- Types of crime in Westham, Dorset
- Westham, Dorset compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Westham, Dorset
- What happened after crimes were reported in Westham, Dorset
- Population and deprivation in Westham, Dorset
- Questions about crime in Westham, Dorset
- About this data
958 crimes were recorded in Westham, Dorset in the 12 months to July 2026, 98.9 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 6% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 371 reports (39% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Westham, Dorset has the 1,263rd highest crime rate.
| Measure | Westham, Dorset | Dorset | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 958 | 20,740 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 98.9 | 53.2 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +6% | -6% | -1% |
| Population | 9,688 | 389,947 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Westham, Dorset was highest in the year to July 2019 (1,162 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2023 (883). Over the whole period it fell 16%, 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 | 958 | 98.9 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 902 | 93.1 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 911 | 94.0 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 883 | 91.1 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 908 | 93.7 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 942 | 97.2 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,138 | 117.5 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,162 | 119.9 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,136 | 117.3 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 105 |
| June 2026 | 116 |
| May 2026 | 106 |
| April 2026 | 72 |
| March 2026 | 71 |
| February 2026 | 57 |
| January 2026 | 57 |
| December 2025 | 67 |
| November 2025 | 61 |
| October 2025 | 86 |
| September 2025 | 69 |
| August 2025 | 91 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Westham, 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 shoplifting (+33%) and anti-social behaviour (+23%). The largest falls were in public order (-52%) and other theft (-16%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 371 | 38.3 | 1.12 | +5% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 299 | 30.9 | 2.01 | +23% |
| Shoplifting | 60 | 6.2 | 0.75 | +33% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 58 | 6.0 | 0.88 | -9% |
| Other theft | 43 | 4.4 | 0.69 | -16% |
| Public order | 31 | 3.2 | 0.48 | -52% |
| Burglary | 25 | 2.6 | 0.73 | +32% |
| Vehicle crime | 19 | 2.0 | 0.40 | -5% |
| Drugs | 15 | 1.5 | 0.47 | +36% |
| Possession of weapons | 10 | 1.0 | 1.06 | +25% |
| Robbery | 9 | 0.9 | 0.69 | +29% |
| Other crime | 8 | 0.8 | 0.39 | -33% |
| Bicycle theft | 7 | 0.7 | 0.88 | +133% |
| Theft from the person | 3 | 0.3 | 0.18 | +50% |
Violence and sexual offences in Westham, Dorset
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Westham, Dorset recorded 371 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (38.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 38.7% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Westham, Dorset
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Westham, Dorset recorded 299 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (30.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 23% on the year before. It made up 31.2% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Westham, Dorset
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Westham, Dorset recorded 60 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 6.3% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Westham, Dorset
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Westham, Dorset recorded 58 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Westham, Dorset
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Westham, Dorset recorded 43 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 4.5% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Westham, Dorset
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Westham, Dorset recorded 31 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 52% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Westham, Dorset
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Westham, Dorset recorded 25 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 32% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Westham, Dorset
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Westham, Dorset recorded 19 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Westham, Dorset
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Westham, Dorset recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 36% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Westham, Dorset
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Westham, Dorset recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 25% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Westham, Dorset
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Westham, Dorset recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 29% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Westham, Dorset
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Westham, Dorset recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 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.
Bicycle theft in Westham, Dorset
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Westham, Dorset recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 133% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Westham, Dorset
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Westham, 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 1.7, and up 50% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Westham, Dorset, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Westham, Dorset.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Westham, Dorset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melcombe Regis | 1,820 | 370.1 | +274% |
| Rodwell & Wyke | 728 | 52.4 | -47% |
| Radipole | 708 | 84.2 | -15% |
| Chickerell | 565 | 62.4 | -37% |
| Upwey & Broadwey | 210 | 55.6 | -44% |
| Littlemoor & Preston | 630 | 56.3 | -43% |
| Portland | 884 | 64.3 | -35% |
| Winterborne & Broadmayne | 103 | 24.5 | -75% |
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 Westham, Dorset over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 69 |
| On or near Hereford Road | 56 |
| On or near Holland Road | 53 |
| On or near Parking Area | 41 |
| On or near Wessex Road | 40 |
| On or near Roundhayes Close | 35 |
| On or near Franklin Road | 33 |
| On or near Wiltshire Avenue | 30 |
| On or near Abbotsbury Road | 26 |
| On or near Davis Crescent | 23 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Westham, 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 | 299 | 31.2% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 255 | 26.6% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 142 | 14.8% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 81 | 8.5% |
| Under investigation | 79 | 8.2% |
| Status update unavailable | 27 | 2.8% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 26 | 2.7% |
| Court result unavailable | 22 | 2.3% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 10 | 1.0% |
| Local resolution | 9 | 0.9% |
| Offender given a caution | 6 | 0.6% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.1% |
Westham, Dorset has an estimated population of 9,688. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Westham, Dorset sits in decile 3.5, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Westham, Dorset |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 16.3% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 61.4% |
| Aged 65 and over | 22.2% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 61.6% |
| Social rented homes | 20.6% |
| Private rented homes | 17.7% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 3.5 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 18.7% |
Is Westham, Dorset a safe place to live?
Westham, Dorset recorded 98.9 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, close to 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 Westham, Dorset?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 371 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (299).
Is crime in Westham, Dorset going up or down?
Recorded crime in Westham, Dorset was up 6% on the year before: 958 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 902 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Westham, Dorset?
Westham, 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 Westham, Dorset. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.