Dorset Police Statistics
Last updated: 07 Jun 2026
The crime rate in Dorset Police's force coverage area is 48 crimes per 1,000 people, for the 12-month period ending April 2026. The most commonly-reported crimes are violence and sexual offences, reported at a rate of roughly 21 reports per 1,000 daytime population.
Dorset Police Crime Map
Incidents mapped in Dorset Police's service area represent the time frame between January 2016 and April 2026. Each point on the map represents an area where crimes have been recorded locally.
Use Crime Map
Hover over a point to see a breakdown of crime types recorded at that location. You can also filter by individual crime types, or use a combinations of offences to visualise the data you need.
Introduction to Dorset Police's crime statistics
This crime profile provides a detailed view of crime and safety around Dorset Police up to April 2026, the most recent data release available. The crime figures and statistics have been calculated across each of Dorset Police's 36,284 postcodes using three area sizes for comparison:
- Within a Five-Minute Walk
- Within a Ten-Minute Walk
- Within a Fifteen-Minute Walk
Individual crime risk scores and index figures are for the 12-month period ending April 2026 unless otherwise stated.
Crime Risk Scores
Dorset Police • 12 Months Ending April 2026
The typical five-minute walk within Dorset Police has a crime risk score of 377. This is based on analysis of 36,284 nearby areas within Dorset Police, with "most" referring to roughly two thirds of the nearby locations.
Crime risk scores are on a scale of 1 to 1,000 and consider the severity of the crimes involved, as determined by sentencing guidelines. A score of 1 represents the lowest risk, and 1,000 the highest risk. This approach ensures that - unlike overall crime rate figures - bicycle theft is not given the same importance in Dorset Police's risk scores as, for example, robbery, or violence & sexual offences.
Within a five-minute walk of the typical location in Dorset Police, crime risk scores are typically around 377, while in National they are average 500.
Areas within a ten-minute walk typically see crime risk scores of 392 (500 for National), and scores within a fifteen-minute walk are most often around 391 (National 500).
Trends in Crime Risk
Dorset Police
Calculated via Seasonal and Trend decomposition using Loess, the Seasonality Adjusted line represents the original data with seasonality subtracted, and the Trend line has been plotted unadjusted. Overall trend direction has been identified using the Mann-Kendall trend test, and rate calculated from the slope of the best-fit line identified from linear regression.
The 10-year trend indicates a decrease of 14% in Dorset Police's crime risk score. This is potentially a strong signal of how the crime risk is evolving. Cross-referencing with major cultural events and Covid's impact during this time is advised.
Looking at the previous five years, the trend in Dorset Police's crime risk score is down by 9%. While potentially a good indicator of the overall risk trend, analysis may offer further insight when combined with the checks mentioned above.
Over the last year, Dorset Police's crime risk score has shown a downward trend of approximately 7%, indicating that the risk profile is going down. This is an extremely short time period for crime trend analysis, and caution should be exercised when interpreting this figure.
Crime Rates and Indexes
Dorset Police
The CrimeRate Index shows how crime rates compare against the national average.
1.0 equals the average
2.0 is double
3.0 triple
0.5 is half and
0.25 a quarter.
Highest Crime Rates
Dorset Police • 12 Months Ending April 2026
Excluding other crime and other theft because their geographic location is often not relevant, anti-social behaviour as its definition is too wide, and bicycle theft for its specificity.
Vehicle Crime offences have a crime rate of 3.25 reports per 1,000 people in Dorset Police, which is 0.76 times the national average. This figure is calculated from 2,838 crime reports logged by Dorset Police during the 12-month period ending April 2026.
For the same period, Dorset Police recorded 2,034 reports of Burglary in Dorset Police, resulting in a crime rate of 2.32 reports per 1,000, and a CrimeRate Index of 0.74.
The crime rate for Shoplifting is 0.74 times the national average at 5.28 reports per 1,000. This is from 4,577 crime reports reported to Dorset Police.
Most Significant 3-Year Increases in Crime Types
Dorset Police
Excluding other crime and other theft, anti-social behaviour, and bicycle theft, and calculated with the same STL method described in Trends in Crime Risk, using CrimeRate Index figures to identify crime types that are trending above or below the national average, and the analysis timeframe limited to the last three years.
Drugs offences are trending upwards, and have a CrimeRate Index of 0.52 for the month of April 2026.
Three years ago, the monthly Drugs CrimeRate Index was 0.29 times the national average, and the current trend indicates an increase of 79% over this timeframe.
Most Significant 3-Year Decreases in Crime Types
Dorset Police
Calculated with the same methodology as the largest increases section above.
Violence and Sexual Offences are trending downwards, and have a CrimeRate Index of 0.71 for the month of April 2026.
Three years ago, the monthly Violence and Sexual Offences CrimeRate Index was 0.77 times the national average, and the current trend indicates a decrease of 8% over this timeframe.
Burglary offences are trending downwards, and have a CrimeRate Index of 0.75 for the month of April 2026.
Three years ago, the monthly Burglary CrimeRate Index was 0.73 times the national average, and the current trend indicates a decrease of 2.7% over this timeframe.
Possession of Weapons offences are trending downwards, and have a CrimeRate Index of 0.43 for the month of April 2026.
Three years ago, the monthly Possession of Weapons CrimeRate Index was 0.57 times the national average, and the current trend indicates a decrease of 25% over this timeframe.
Crime Type Breakdown & Heat Map
Dorset Police • 12 Months Ending April 2026
Size and colour reflect the CrimeRate Index figures for each type of crime.
Dorset Police | National | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crime Type | Count | Rate | Index | Count | Rate | Index | |||
| Anti-Social Behaviour | 14,107 | 16.21 | 1.15 | 941,224 | 14.13 | 1.00 | |||
| Bicycle Theft | 551 | 0.63 | 0.86 | 48,449 | 0.73 | 1.00 | |||
| Burglary | 2,034 | 2.32 | 0.74 | 208,612 | 3.13 | 1.00 | |||
| Criminal Damage and Arson | 3,999 | 4.59 | 0.73 | 418,651 | 6.28 | 1.00 | |||
| Drugs | 1,127 | 1.29 | 0.42 | 205,214 | 3.09 | 1.00 | |||
| Other Crime | 531 | 0.61 | 0.33 | 124,230 | 1.85 | 1.00 | |||
| Other Theft | 3,509 | 4.04 | 0.71 | 378,146 | 5.69 | 1.00 | |||
| Possession of Weapons | 331 | 0.38 | 0.45 | 56,620 | 0.85 | 1.00 | |||
| Public Order | 2,678 | 3.08 | 0.53 | 386,297 | 5.80 | 1.00 | |||
| Robbery | 403 | 0.46 | 0.39 | 78,386 | 1.18 | 1.00 | |||
| Shoplifting | 4,577 | 5.28 | 0.74 | 475,025 | 7.13 | 1.00 | |||
| Theft From the Person | 255 | 0.31 | 0.20 | 103,505 | 1.55 | 1.00 | |||
| Vehicle Crime | 2,838 | 3.25 | 0.76 | 287,068 | 4.30 | 1.00 | |||
| Violence and Sexual Offences | 18,703 | 21.46 | 0.71 | 2,024,722 | 30.40 | 1.00 | |||
Download | |||||||||
Total Crime by Year
Dorset Police | National | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Count | Rate | Index | Count | Rate | Index | |||
| 2026 | 41,536 | 47.70 | 0.66 | 4,794,925 | 71.98 | 1.00 | |||
| 2025 | 46,165 | 53.53 | 0.72 | 4,892,734 | 74.03 | 1.00 | |||
| 2024 | 46,673 | 54.44 | 0.72 | 4,937,620 | 75.43 | 1.00 | |||
| 2023 | 47,197 | 55.38 | 0.70 | 5,115,763 | 79.01 | 1.00 | |||
| 2022 | 48,845 | 57.81 | 0.75 | 4,922,645 | 76.81 | 1.00 | |||
| 2021 | 45,949 | 54.70 | 0.80 | 4,369,811 | 68.57 | 1.00 | |||
| 2020 | 49,775 | 59.44 | 0.80 | 4,707,683 | 74.16 | 1.00 | |||
| 2019 | 52,120 | 62.35 | 0.82 | 4,824,370 | 76.25 | 1.00 | |||
| 2018 | 46,862 | 56.20 | 0.79 | 4,484,151 | 71.12 | 1.00 | |||
| 2017 | 42,459 | 51.26 | 0.80 | 4,011,470 | 63.94 | 1.00 | |||
| 2016 | 13,122 | 15.84 | 0.83 | 1,195,221 | 19.07 | 1.00 | |||
Download | |||||||||
Dorset Police: Major Towns & Cities Compared
| Town / City | Crime Count | Crime Rate | CrimeRate Index | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weymouth | 3,600 | 62.12 | 0.87 | ||||||
| Bournemouth | 24,030 | 60.73 | 0.84 | ||||||
| Bridport | 532 | 58.65 | 0.91 | ||||||
| Portland | 727 | 50.77 | 0.79 | ||||||
| Shaftesbury | 501 | 50.23 | 0.77 | ||||||
| Poole | 7,440 | 47.66 | 0.66 | ||||||
| Dorchester | 1,218 | 45.28 | 0.65 | ||||||
| Christchurch | 1,480 | 44.60 | 0.64 | ||||||
| Blandford Forum | 436 | 39.06 | 0.61 | ||||||
| Sherborne | 445 | 37.00 | 0.62 | ||||||
| Swanage | 311 | 32.90 | 0.58 | ||||||
| Lytchett Minster and Upton | 298 | 32.78 | 0.60 | ||||||
| Ferndown Town | 626 | 30.90 | 0.48 | ||||||
| Gillingham | 383 | 29.26 | 0.48 | ||||||
| Verwood | 424 | 26.76 | 0.42 | ||||||
| Corfe Mullen | 253 | 23.53 | 0.41 | ||||||
| West Moors | 161 | 21.51 | 0.41 | ||||||
Download | |||||||||
CrimeRate Pro
To download charts and tables, you must subscribed to CrimeRate Pro
You can find out more, or get a CrimeRate Insights report that includes further analysis.
Dorset Police Stations
| Police Station Name | Police Station Address | Description & Opening Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Blandford | Salisbury Road, Blandford, Dorset, DT11 7HR | *Apologies for any inconvenience** Please note - due to temporary staffing planning requirements, core hours will be Wednesday and Saturday 0900-1630. Apologies for any inconvenience and ongoing efforts will be made to reduce the above temp closures. Wednesday 0900 to 1630 Saturday 0900 to 1630 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday closed. Normal policing patrols will continue when the Enquiry Office is closed. Alternative contact is via the online reporting services on our website. When life or safety is at risk always dial 999. Please note that when attending to ensure effort is made to arrive approximately 1 hour prior to closing time to allow your enquiry to be dealt with. Thank you for your consideration and enabling us to provide as prompt a service as possible. |
| Bournemouth Enquiries and Custody Building | Madeira Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH1 1QL | Monday to Friday 0800 to 1800 Saturday and Sunday 0900 to 1730 06.06.2024 0800-1730 07.06.2024 0800-1600 Normal policing patrols will continue when the Enquiry Office is closed. Alternative contact is via the online reporting services on our website. When life or safety is at risk always dial 999. Please note that when attending to ensure effort is made to arrive approximately 1 hour prior to closing time to allow your enquiry to be dealt with. Thank you for your consideration and enabling us to provide as prompt a service as possible. |
| Bridport | Tannery Road, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 3TP | Monday 1000 to 1530 Wednesday 1000 to 1530 Friday 1000 to 1530 Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday closed. 29.05.2024 CLOSED Normal policing patrols will continue when the Enquiry Office is closed. Alternative contact is via the online reporting services on our website. When life or safety is at risk always dial 999. Please note that when attending to ensure effort is made to arrive approximately 1 hour prior to closing time to allow your enquiry to be dealt with. Thank you for your consideration and enabling us to provide as prompt a service as possible. |
| Gillingham | 1 School Road, Gillingham, Dorset, SP8 4QR | Monday & Friday 1000 to 1530 Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday closed. 27.05.2024 CLOSED Normal policing patrols will continue when the Enquiry Office is closed. Alternative contact is via the online reporting services on our website. When life or safety is at risk always dial 999. Please note that when attending to ensure effort is made to arrive approximately 1 hour prior to closing time to allow your enquiry to be dealt with. Thank you for your consideration and enabling us to provide as prompt a service as possible. |
| Lyme Regis | Hill Road, Lyme Regis., DT7 3PG | Tuesday 0930 to 1530 28.05.24 CLOSED Normal policing patrols will continue when the Enquiry Office is closed. Alternative contact is via the online reporting services on our website. When life or safety is at risk always dial 999. Please note that when attending to ensure effort is made to arrive approximately 1 hour prior to closing time to allow your enquiry to be dealt with. Thank you for your consideration and enabling us to provide as prompt a service as possible. Please note we are not able to deal with Section 165 vehicle seizure release, Bail reporting, SOU registration, Prohibition releases, found property (other than keys, spectacles, low value items with NO personal data contained.) NO Firearms or ammunition may be accepted at this site. For these matters report to Bripdort or Weymouth stations at the times advertised for those locations. This information available on the other station sections of this webpage. |
| Poole | Poole Joint Emergency Services Building, Wimborne Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 2BP | Monday to Friday 0800 to 1730 Saturday & Sunday closed. **Apologies for any inconvenience** Please note - due to temporary staffing planning requirements, core hours will be Monday-Friday 0800-1730 with the exception of: 07.06.2024 0800-1530 Normal policing patrols will continue when the Enquiry Office is closed. Alternative contact is via the online reporting services on our website. When life or safety is at risk always dial 999. Please note that when attending please ensure effort is made to arrive approximately 1 hour prior to closing time to allow your enquiry to be dealt with. Thank you for your consideration and enabling us to provide as prompt a service as possible. |
| Sherborne | Digby Road, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 3NL | Tuesday 1000 to 1530 Thursday 1000 to 1530 06.06.24 CLOSED Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday closed. Normal policing patrols will continue when the Enquiry Office is closed. Alternative contact is via the online reporting services on our website. When life or safety is at risk always dial 999. Please note that when attending to ensure effort is made to arrive approximately 1 hour prior to closing time to allow your enquiry to be dealt with. Thank you for your consideration and enabling us to provide as prompt a service as possible. |
| Swanage Police Station | High Street, Swanage, BH19 2NZ | Monday 0930 to 1530 Friday 0930 to 1530 Alterations to Swanage opening times as follows: 03.06.2024 09:30 - 14:30 21:06:2024 CLOSED 24:06:2024 CLOSED Apologies for any inconvenience and ongoing efforts will be made to reduce the above temp closures. Normal policing patrols will continue when the Enquiry Office is closed. Alternative contact is via the online reporting services on our website. When life or safety is at risk always dial 999. Please note that when attending to ensure effort is made to arrive approximately 1 hour prior to closing time to allow your enquiry to be dealt with. Thank you for your consideration and enabling us to provide as prompt a service as possible. |
| Weymouth | Radipole Lane, Chickerell, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 9WW | Monday to Friday 0800 to 1730 Saturday 0900 to 1630 Sunday closed. 21.05.2024 08:00 - 15:30 27.05.2024 CLOSED Normal policing patrols will continue when the Enquiry Office is closed. Alternative contact is via the online reporting services on our website. When life or safety is at risk always dial 999. Please note that when attending to ensure effort is made to arrive approximately 1 hour prior to closing time to allow your enquiry to be dealt with. Thank you for your consideration and enabling us to provide as prompt a service as possible. |