Dorset 'remains one of England's safest areas' as crime falls
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) released data on Thursday, April 24, 2025, confirming that Dorset remains in England’s top ten safest areas.
During the 12 months from Monday, January 1, 2024, to Tuesday, December 31, 2024, overall crime in Dorset fell by 1.1 per cent.
Notable reductions include a 22.7 per cent fall in robbery offences compared to a national rise of 0.4 per cent, and a 5.1 per cent drop in violence against the person, in line with the national decrease of 4.4 per cent.
Reports of stalking and harassment also fell by 11 per cent, higher than the national decrease of 8.2 per cent.
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High visibility patrols credited with reducing anti-social behaviour incidents (Image: Dorset Police) Deputy chief constable Rachel Farrell said: "I am pleased to see that crime in Dorset has continued to fall, keeping the county one of the safest areas to live, work and visit.
"We have witnessed a direct impact from our high visibility patrols in hotspot areas and seen a reduction in anti-social behaviour from 13,182 incidents reported in 2023 to 12,512 in 2024, a decrease of 5.22 per cent."
However, during 2024, Dorset experienced a sharp rise in vehicle offences of 20.7 per cent, when it fell nationally by 6.5 per cent.
Ms Farrell added: "Unfortunately, here in Dorset, we have seen a spike in theft from vehicles of items that had been left on display by owners and a steep increase in keyless thefts of vehicles and joyriding of motorbikes.
"Recently, we shared the importance of keeping your vehicles secure, items away from view and the value of modern techniques, like using a Faraday box or pouch to secure your keyless entry device."
Burglary offences also increased in the county in 2024.
Residential burglary rose by 1.6 per cent against a national decrease of 7.1 per cent, and business burglary rose by 5.5 per cent, again against a national fall of 4.5 per cent.
She said: "I recognise that burglary crime continues to increase in the county against the national trend.
"The force is determined to tackle these offences and we have invested in this critical area with a newly formed Neighbourhood Crime Team."
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