Although overall crime rose by five per cent in Dorset during the 12 months to 30 June, the county has become the sixth safest area in the country.

The national average rise is 12.5 per cent.

A rise in crime during this period was expected as the figures are directly compared with the same months in 2020 and 2021 in which the country was subjected to national and regional Covid-19 lockdowns and saw a significant fall in crime.

David Sidwick, police and crime commissioner for Dorset, said: “I am really pleased to see that Dorset has gone up to sixth in the ratings for being one of the safest counties in England and Wales – it is my aim to make Dorset the safest county and so seeing us go up in the ratings is both validation for the work that is happening in the county and good news for the people of Dorset.

“Despite crime figures going up, I am pleased to see that they are less than half the rate of the national average here in Dorset, with reductions in crime across many of the areas directly related to my Police and Crime Plan, including stalking and harassment and anti-social behaviour. I am particularly pleased to note that there has also been a considerable drop in both business crime and community crime over the last year.

“I would like to thank all the officers, staff and volunteers involved in keeping our residents and communities safe and I vow to continue to work alongside the chief constable, as well as all our other invaluable stakeholder partners to make Dorset the safest county.”

Chief Constable Scott Chilton said:  “We will continue to strive to be the safest county in the country and remain driven to relentlessly pursue those criminals who cause the most harm to our communities, keeping people safe and putting victims first.

“In the past 18 months, Dorset has moved from ninth safest county to sixth safest. We are seeing less crime, bringing more offenders to justice, reducing anti-social behaviour and seeing reductions in community and business crime.”