Crime in Shaftesbury: statistics, rates and trends

676 crimes were recorded in Shaftesbury in the 12 months to July 2026, 72.0 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 207 reports (31% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Shaftesbury has the 749th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Shaftesbury was highest in the year to July 2019 (762 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (552). Over the whole period it fell 1%, 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.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Shaftesbury 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 shoplifting (+66%) and burglary (+35%).

The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-36%) and criminal damage and arson (-34%).

Violence and sexual offences in Shaftesbury

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Shaftesbury recorded 207 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (22.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 30.6% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Shaftesbury

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Shaftesbury recorded 172 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (18.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 25.4% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Shaftesbury

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Shaftesbury recorded 73 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 66% on the year before. It made up 10.8% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Shaftesbury

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Shaftesbury recorded 54 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 34% on the year before. It made up 8.0% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Shaftesbury

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Shaftesbury recorded 41 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 up 28% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Shaftesbury

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Shaftesbury recorded 35 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 35% on the year before. It made up 5.2% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Shaftesbury

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Shaftesbury recorded 35 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 36% on the year before. It made up 5.2% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Shaftesbury

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Shaftesbury recorded 29 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 4.3% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Shaftesbury

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Shaftesbury recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Shaftesbury

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Shaftesbury recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Shaftesbury

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Shaftesbury recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Shaftesbury

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Shaftesbury 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 down 25% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Shaftesbury

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Shaftesbury recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 67% on the year before. It made up 0.1% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the towns closest to Shaftesbury, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Shaftesbury.

1 areas within Shaftesbury, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Shaftesbury Town had the highest rate (72.0 per 1,000) and Shaftesbury Town the lowest (72.0). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

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 Shaftesbury over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Shaftesbury 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.

Shaftesbury has an estimated population of 9,389. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Shaftesbury sits in decile 5.9, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

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 Shaftesbury. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.