Dorset has maintained its position as one of the ten safest counties in England.
New data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show a 6.0% drop in crime between October 2024 and September 2025, outpacing the national average decrease of 1.6%.
The numbers suggest a crackdown on harmful offenses: Violence crimes fell by 5.2%, crimes involving a vehicle saw a 23.1% reduction and residential burglaries dropped by 13.4%.
Dorset Police say this is due to “new tactics” and an increase in arrests of prolific offenders.
Shoplifting however, bucked the downward trend, rising by 7.6%.
Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick said the rise is partly due to a “new digital system making it even easier to report” and initiatives encouraging businesses to report shoplifting.
For locals in Bournemouth, statistics in police reports may not reflect their everyday lives.
Despite positive crime statistics, residents say the atmosphere remains unpredictable.
Alfie Lobson points to the erratic nature of the town at night. “You get the random geezer at like three in the morning,” he said.
When asked what makes him feel the most unsafe, he reiterated, “The random geezer at three.”
His suggestion for improvement was better infrastructure, “Probably more street lights.”
Chloe Davis echoed this “Some areas are quite dark,
“Especially as a girl, walking on your own, or even in a group, it’s still a bit uneasy.”
For Chloe, the statistical drop in crime doesn’t necessarily translate to her experiences.
BCP Council is currently considering a £2 million investment in LED street lighting to eliminate dark spots.
For some though, Bournemouth’s safety is a significant improvement over previous circumstances.
Tatiana Celikova feels the town is “much safer” when compared to the situation in her home country Ukraine.
Yet, she identified an issue that crime stats might overlook.
Pointing to a nearby green space, she said.
“So many people who use drugs here… specifically in this park.”
The ONS data shows that Dorset is statistically more secure than most of the UK, with major crimes like car theft and burglary in decline.
But views on the ground suggest there is still work to do in changing the town’s “uneasy” atmosphere.
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