Crime in Dorchester (Dorset): statistics, rates and trends
1,637 crimes were recorded in Dorchester (Dorset) in the 12 months to July 2026, 72.4 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 5% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Dorchester (Dorset) at a glance
- Crime trends in Dorchester (Dorset)
- Types of crime in Dorchester (Dorset)
- Dorchester (Dorset) compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Dorchester (Dorset)
- Streets with the most crime in Dorchester (Dorset)
- What happened after crimes were reported in Dorchester (Dorset)
- Population and deprivation in Dorchester (Dorset)
- Questions about crime in Dorchester (Dorset)
- About this data
1,637 crimes were recorded in Dorchester (Dorset) in the 12 months to July 2026, 72.4 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 5% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 543 reports (33% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Dorchester (Dorset) has the 738th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Dorchester (Dorset) | Dorset | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,637 | 20,740 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 72.4 | 53.2 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -5% | -6% | -1% |
| Population | 22,613 | 389,947 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Dorchester (Dorset) was highest in the year to July 2018 (2,254 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (1,637). Over the whole period it fell 27%, 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 | 1,637 | 72.4 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,723 | 76.2 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,778 | 78.6 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,871 | 82.7 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,829 | 80.9 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,856 | 82.1 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 2,015 | 89.1 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 2,104 | 93.0 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 2,254 | 99.7 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 143 |
| June 2026 | 127 |
| May 2026 | 147 |
| April 2026 | 129 |
| March 2026 | 144 |
| February 2026 | 107 |
| January 2026 | 123 |
| December 2025 | 116 |
| November 2025 | 156 |
| October 2025 | 173 |
| September 2025 | 117 |
| August 2025 | 155 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Dorchester (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 (+14%).
The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-50%) and other crime (-44%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 543 | 24.0 | 0.70 | -3% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 430 | 19.0 | 1.24 | +14% |
| Shoplifting | 206 | 9.1 | 1.10 | +5% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 112 | 5.0 | 0.73 | -2% |
| Other theft | 96 | 4.2 | 0.66 | -19% |
| Public order | 78 | 3.4 | 0.52 | -16% |
| Vehicle crime | 61 | 2.7 | 0.55 | -50% |
| Burglary | 37 | 1.6 | 0.46 | -10% |
| Drugs | 30 | 1.3 | 0.41 | -9% |
| Other crime | 14 | 0.6 | 0.29 | -44% |
| Robbery | 10 | 0.4 | 0.33 | +25% |
| Bicycle theft | 9 | 0.4 | 0.48 | -18% |
| Possession of weapons | 8 | 0.4 | 0.36 | -43% |
| Theft from the person | 3 | 0.1 | 0.08 | -75% |
Violence and sexual offences in Dorchester (Dorset)
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Dorchester (Dorset) recorded 543 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (24.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 33.2% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Dorchester (Dorset)
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Dorchester (Dorset) recorded 430 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (19.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 26.3% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Dorchester (Dorset)
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Dorchester (Dorset) recorded 206 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 12.6% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Dorchester (Dorset)
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Dorchester (Dorset) recorded 112 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 6.8% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Dorchester (Dorset)
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Dorchester (Dorset) recorded 96 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 5.9% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Dorchester (Dorset)
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Dorchester (Dorset) recorded 78 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Dorchester (Dorset)
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Dorchester (Dorset) recorded 61 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 3.7% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Dorchester (Dorset)
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Dorchester (Dorset) recorded 37 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Dorchester (Dorset)
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Dorchester (Dorset) recorded 30 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Dorchester (Dorset)
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Dorchester (Dorset) recorded 14 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 44% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Dorchester (Dorset)
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Dorchester (Dorset) recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 25% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Dorchester (Dorset)
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Dorchester (Dorset) recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Dorchester (Dorset)
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Dorchester (Dorset) recorded 8 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 down 43% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Dorchester (Dorset)
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Dorchester (Dorset) recorded 3 reports 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 75% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Dorchester (Dorset), for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Dorchester (Dorset).
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Dorchester (Dorset) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weymouth | 5,342 | 99.0 | +37% |
| Wool | 284 | 47.7 | -34% |
| Weston (Dorset) | 353 | 64.3 | -11% |
| Bridport | 820 | 82.3 | +14% |
| Wareham | 362 | 61.0 | -16% |
| Blandford Forum | 762 | 55.2 | -24% |
| Sherborne | 665 | 60.8 | -16% |
| Upton (Dorset) | 364 | 41.5 | -43% |
3 areas within Dorchester (Dorset), ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Dorchester West had the highest rate (99.2 per 1,000) and Dorchester East the lowest (53.0). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dorchester West | Neighbourhood | 7,225 | 717 | 99.2 |
| Dorchester Poundbury | Neighbourhood | 6,142 | 430 | 70.0 |
| Dorchester East | Neighbourhood | 9,246 | 490 | 53.0 |
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 Dorchester (Dorset) over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 86 |
| On or near Parking Area | 72 |
| On or near Dorchester West | 50 |
| On or near Little Britain | 47 |
| On or near High West Street | 45 |
| On or near Hospital | 39 |
| On or near Cambridge Walk | 33 |
| On or near New Street | 31 |
| On or near Alexandra Terrace | 29 |
| On or near B3144 | 25 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Dorchester (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 | 430 | 26.3% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 408 | 24.9% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 364 | 22.2% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 114 | 7.0% |
| Under investigation | 100 | 6.1% |
| Status update unavailable | 53 | 3.2% |
| Court result unavailable | 43 | 2.6% |
| Local resolution | 39 | 2.4% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 31 | 1.9% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 25 | 1.5% |
| Offender given a caution | 21 | 1.3% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 5 | 0.3% |
Dorchester (Dorset) has an estimated population of 22,613. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Dorchester (Dorset) sits in decile 6.6, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Dorchester (Dorset) |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 15.5% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 56.2% |
| Aged 65 and over | 28.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 64.7% |
| Social rented homes | 17.7% |
| Private rented homes | 17.7% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.6 |
Is Dorchester (Dorset) a safe place to live?
Dorchester (Dorset) recorded 72.4 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 Dorchester (Dorset)?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 543 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (430).
Is crime in Dorchester (Dorset) going up or down?
Recorded crime in Dorchester (Dorset) was down 5% on the year before: 1,637 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,723 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Dorchester (Dorset)?
Dorchester (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 Dorchester (Dorset). Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.