Dorset in top 10 for lowest recorded crime rate
Dorset is among 10 of the counties with the lowest crime rate in England and Wales.
Last updated 29th Oct 2020
Data released by the Office for National Statistics shows the Force has seen a drop in overall crime by 5.1%.
That's compared with a similar national drop. The total number of crimes recorded by police in England and Wales fell by 4 per cent in the year to June.
Deputy Chief Constable Scott Chilton said: "Dorset remains one of the safest counties in the country to live and visit.
“The excellent work done by all our officers and staff to keep our communities safe is reflected in this reduction.
“All crime matters to our communities and we will maintain our focus on providing an outstanding service to the people of Dorset, particularly those who are most vulnerable.
“Reducing crime is important to everyone and I hope this will help to reassure our communities that we are working with them and partners to focus on what matters.”
The total number of crimes reduced from 54,677 to 51,908 over the 12-month period, a reduction of 3.6 crimes per 1,000 population.
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill said: “This is great news for Dorset residents, as these figures demonstrate that not only do they live in one of the UK’s safest counties, but one in which crime levels are dropping.
“I’d like to praise the dedication of all our officers, staff members and volunteers who have worked so hard through this very difficult period to keep people safe.”
Billy Gazard from the Office for National Statistics Centre for Crime and Justice said of the national figures:
“Decreases in crime levels during the year ending June 2020 were mainly driven by changes in society after coronavirus lockdown restrictions were put in place. The most substantial reductions were seen in theft and robbery offences during the April to June quarter. There are indications that crime levels in June were moving back towards pre-lockdown levels.
“Police recording of drug offences increased sharply throughout the April to June period, reflecting proactive police activity as overall crime levels reduced. Anti-social behaviour incidents also increased. These include reported breaches of lockdown restrictions to the police.”