Crime, Dorset | Posted on April 25th, 2025 | return to news
Vehicle offences and burglaries rise in Dorset
Overall crime in the county fell by 1.1 per cent in 2024, making Dorset one of the top 10 safest areas in the country, but some crimes increased.
Although crime in Dorset is on the whole decreasing, vehicle offences and burglaries have risen.
Data published on 24 April by the Office for National Statistics has confirmed that Dorset remains in England’s top 10 safest areas. During the 12 months from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 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.
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. I welcome the additional funds from the government as part of the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, which will enable us to provide reassurance and visibility to make communities safer and feel safer while working with residents, visitors and businesses to solve local problems and reduce crime and anti-social behaviour.
“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.”
During 2024, Dorset did experience a sharp rise in vehicle offences of 20.7 per cent, when it fell nationally by 6.5 per cent.
Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Farrell said: “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.
Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Farrell 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. This team is dedicated to investigating burglary crimes and targeting prolific offenders. They are on hand to deploy to burglaries and complete primary enquiries, where possible, while reviewing all burglary investigations.”
She advised people to visit https://www.dorset.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/protect-home-crime/ for advice on protecting your home from crime.
Please share post:
LATEST NEWS:
CHARITY OF THE YEAR 2025
Subscribe to the online magazine news letter
