Dorset Crime
The county of Dorset, located in Southwest England, contains a number of large towns and urban areas as well as stunning countryside. The crime rate of the region sits at around 27.5 crimes reported per year per 1000 people. While this is lower than the national crime rate, there are some worrying crime trends, with violent crime making up over a quarter of reported crime in Dorset. The region is made up of several towns, so we have taken a closer look at the crime rates for each area. Take a look:
Crime In Bournemouth
According to Police.uk, there were a total of 19,121 crimes in the last 12 months in Bournemouth South, Bournemouth North East and Bournemouth North West. The most common types of crime in the area are listed as anti-social behaviour, violence and sexual offences, criminal damage and arson and bike theft.
Compared to the crime rate in Dorset as a whole, Bournemouth is 34% higher. Additionally, the town is rated as the 670th most dangerous location out of all towns, cities, and villages in England, Northern Ireland and Wales.
Violent crime makes up over ¼ of all crimes in the area at 27.2%, and has increased by just under two percent over the last year (May 2020 – April 2021), which is a concerning upward trend.
The top neighbourhoods for high amounts of crime in Poole are listed in the table below:
| Neighbourhood | Crime Count | Crime Rate |
| East Cliff | 2503 | 195 |
| Cental Bournemouth | 2393 | 184 |
| Boscombe West | 1557 | 146 |
Crime In Poole
Poole is ranked as the 25th most dangerous place in Dorset out of its 274 cities, towns and villages. The crime rate in the area last year was 61 crimes per 1000 people. According to Police.uk, there were a total of 14,416 crimes in the last 12 months in Poole North and Poole South. The most common types of crime in the area are listed as anti-social behaviour, violence and sexual offences, criminal damage and arson.
Compared to the crime rate in Dorset as a whole, Poole is 1.5% higher. Additionally, the town is rated as the 1,992nd most dangerous location out of all towns, cities, and villages in England, Northern Ireland and Wales.
The top neighbourhoods for high amounts of crime in Poole are listed in the table below:
| Neighbourhood | Crime Count | Crime Rate |
| Newtown | 925 | 85 |
| Branksome West | 588 | 78 |
| Hamworthy West | 539 | 75 |
Crime In Christchurch
Christchurch is ranked as the 53rd most dangerous place in Dorset out of its 274 cities, towns and villages. The crime rate in the area last year was 41 crimes per 1000 people. According to Police.uk, there were a total of 3,295 crimes in the last 12 months. The most common types of crime in the area are listed as violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour, drugs and public order.
Compared to the crime rate in Dorset as a whole, Christchurch is 47% lower. Additionally, the town is rated as the 4,234th most dangerous location out of all towns, cities, and villages in England, Northern Ireland and Wales.
The top neighbourhoods for high amounts of crime in Christchurch are listed in the table below:
| Neighbourhood | Crime Count | Crime Rate |
| Somerford | 492 | 77 |
| Christchurch Town | 732 | 76 |
| Jumpers Common & Fairmile | 304 | 37 |
Crime In Dorchester
Dorchester is ranked as the 24th most dangerous place in Dorset out of its 274 cities, towns and villages. The crime rate in the area last year was 62 crimes per 1000 people. According to Police.uk, there were a total of 3,087 crimes in the last 12 months. The most common types of crime in the area are listed as anti-social behaviour, violence and sexual offences, vehicle crime and criminal damage and arson.
Compared to the crime rate in Dorset as a whole, Dorchester is 2% higher. Additionally, the town is rated as the 1,968th most dangerous location out of all towns, cities, and villages in England, Northern Ireland and Wales.
The top neighbourhoods for high amounts of crime in Dorchester are listed in the table below:
| Neighbourhood | Crime Count | Crime Rate |
| Dorchester West | 972 | 78 |
| Dorchester East | 347 | 39 |
Crime In Weymouth
Weymouth is ranked within the top 20 most dangerous places in Dorset out of its 274 cities, towns and villages. The crime rate in the area last year was 66 crimes per 1000 people. According to Police.uk, there were a total of 6,704 crimes in the last 12 months. The most common types of crime in the area are listed as anti-social behaviour, violence and sexual offences and criminal damage and arson.
Compared to the crime rate in Dorset as a whole, Weymouth is 8% higher. Additionally, the town is rated as the 1,700th most dangerous location out of all towns, cities, and villages in England, Northern Ireland and Wales.
The top neighbourhoods for high amounts of crime in Weymouth are listed in the table below:
| Neighbourhood | Crime Count | Crime Rate |
| Weymouth Town | 1411 | 144 |
| Westham North & Radipole | 574 | 66 |
| Westham South | 481 | 64 |
Crime in the South West is increasing, check our other articles to find out what the crime is in Cornwall and whether Bournemouth is a safe place to live. Or head over to our news page so that you can keep up to date with the latest South West news.
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