Crime in Upton (Dorset): statistics, rates and trends
364 crimes were recorded in Upton (Dorset) in the 12 months to July 2026, 41.5 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 7% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Upton (Dorset) at a glance
- Crime trends in Upton (Dorset)
- Types of crime in Upton (Dorset)
- Upton (Dorset) compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Upton (Dorset)
- Streets with the most crime in Upton (Dorset)
- What happened after crimes were reported in Upton (Dorset)
- Population and deprivation in Upton (Dorset)
- Questions about crime in Upton (Dorset)
- About this data
364 crimes were recorded in Upton (Dorset) in the 12 months to July 2026, 41.5 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 7% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 137 reports (38% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Upton (Dorset) has the 1,284th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Upton (Dorset) | Dorset | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 364 | 20,740 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 41.5 | 53.2 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -7% | -6% | -1% |
| Population | 8,761 | 389,947 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Upton (Dorset) was highest in the year to July 2018 (612 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (364). Over the whole period it fell 41%, 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 | 364 | 41.5 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 390 | 44.5 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 501 | 57.2 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 578 | 66.0 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 511 | 58.3 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 549 | 62.7 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 547 | 62.4 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 563 | 64.3 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 612 | 69.9 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 23 |
| June 2026 | 25 |
| May 2026 | 39 |
| April 2026 | 36 |
| March 2026 | 30 |
| February 2026 | 37 |
| January 2026 | 26 |
| December 2025 | 33 |
| November 2025 | 32 |
| October 2025 | 35 |
| September 2025 | 16 |
| August 2025 | 32 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Upton (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 falls were in violence and sexual offences (-24%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 137 | 15.6 | 0.46 | -24% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 75 | 8.6 | 0.56 | -7% |
| Vehicle crime | 37 | 4.2 | 0.86 | +208% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 29 | 3.3 | 0.49 | -3% |
| Other theft | 28 | 3.2 | 0.50 | +47% |
| Burglary | 27 | 3.1 | 0.87 | +145% |
| Public order | 9 | 1.0 | 0.15 | -53% |
| Shoplifting | 6 | 0.7 | 0.08 | -68% |
| Other crime | 4 | 0.5 | 0.22 | +0% |
| Possession of weapons | 4 | 0.5 | 0.47 | +300% |
| Bicycle theft | 3 | 0.3 | 0.42 | +50% |
| Drugs | 3 | 0.3 | 0.10 | -57% |
| Robbery | 2 | 0.2 | 0.17 | +100% |
Violence and sexual offences in Upton (Dorset)
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Upton (Dorset) recorded 137 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 24% on the year before. It made up 37.6% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Upton (Dorset)
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Upton (Dorset) recorded 75 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 20.6% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Upton (Dorset)
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Upton (Dorset) recorded 37 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 208% on the year before. It made up 10.2% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Upton (Dorset)
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Upton (Dorset) recorded 29 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 8.0% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Upton (Dorset)
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Upton (Dorset) recorded 28 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 47% on the year before. It made up 7.7% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Upton (Dorset)
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Upton (Dorset) recorded 27 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 145% on the year before. It made up 7.4% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Upton (Dorset)
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Upton (Dorset) recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 53% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Upton (Dorset)
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Upton (Dorset) recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 68% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Upton (Dorset)
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Upton (Dorset) recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Upton (Dorset)
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Upton (Dorset) recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 300% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Upton (Dorset)
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Upton (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 0.8, and up 50% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Upton (Dorset)
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Upton (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 3.3, and down 57% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Upton (Dorset)
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Upton (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 up 100% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Upton (Dorset), for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Upton (Dorset).
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Upton (Dorset) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corfe Mullen | 372 | 34.8 | -16% |
| Poole | 10,536 | 72.6 | +75% |
| Merley | 155 | 25.4 | -39% |
| Bearwood | 281 | 55.4 | +33% |
| Wareham | 362 | 61.0 | +47% |
| Wimborne Minster | 960 | 60.1 | +45% |
| Ferndown | 538 | 39.1 | -6% |
| Bournemouth | 21,650 | 106.8 | +157% |
1 areas within Upton (Dorset), ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Lytchett Matravers & Upton had the highest rate (38.2 per 1,000) and Lytchett Matravers & Upton the lowest (38.2). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lytchett Matravers & Upton | Neighbourhood | 12,921 | 494 | 38.2 |
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 Upton (Dorset) over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near The Crossways | 18 |
| On or near Post Green Road | 16 |
| On or near Heights Approach | 14 |
| On or near Kestrel Close | 14 |
| On or near Parking Area | 14 |
| On or near Osprey Close | 12 |
| On or near Palmerston Close | 10 |
| On or near Robin Close | 10 |
| On or near Cherry Blossom Drive | 9 |
| On or near Martingale Close | 9 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Upton (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 |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 112 | 30.8% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 103 | 28.3% |
| Not recorded | 75 | 20.6% |
| Under investigation | 33 | 9.1% |
| Status update unavailable | 10 | 2.7% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 8 | 2.2% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 7 | 1.9% |
| Local resolution | 6 | 1.6% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 5 | 1.4% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.5% |
| Court result unavailable | 2 | 0.5% |
| Offender given a caution | 1 | 0.3% |
Upton (Dorset) has an estimated population of 8,761. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Upton (Dorset) sits in decile 6.5, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Upton (Dorset) |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 16.9% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 57.5% |
| Aged 65 and over | 25.6% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 77.2% |
| Social rented homes | 8.2% |
| Private rented homes | 14.7% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.5 |
Is Upton (Dorset) a safe place to live?
Upton (Dorset) recorded 41.5 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 Upton (Dorset)?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 137 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (75).
Is crime in Upton (Dorset) going up or down?
Recorded crime in Upton (Dorset) was down 7% on the year before: 364 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 390 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Upton (Dorset)?
Upton (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 Upton (Dorset). Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.