Dorchester vs Swanage — Crime Comparison 2026

Side-by-side crime statistics from official UK Police data.

Dorchester

DT1 · Dorset

105

crimes in February 2026

Near national average

  • Violence & sexual offences34
  • Anti-social behaviour28
  • Shoplifting9

Swanage

BH19 · Dorset

18

crimes in February 2026

Below national average

  • Violence & sexual offences8
  • Anti-social behaviour4
  • Shoplifting3

Swanage has less crime — 18 vs 105 incidents in February 2026.

What the data shows

Dorchester recorded substantially more crime than Swanage in February 2026 — 105 incidents compared to 18, a 5.8x difference. Both areas share Violence & sexual offences as their most common crime type, though Dorchester records significantly more (34 vs 8 incidents). Both areas sit near the national average, with modest differences in their overall safety profile.

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Full reports cover 24 months of trends, ward breakdowns, outcome rates, and a detailed safety score — from £4.99.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Dorchester or Swanage safer?

Based on February 2026 Police data, Swanage recorded fewer crimes than Dorchester — 18 vs 105 incidents. That is 83% fewer crimes. Swanage is also below the national average for crime.

What are the main differences in crime between Dorchester and Swanage?

Both areas share Violence & sexual offences as their top crime category. In February 2026, Dorchester recorded 34 incidents of this type vs 8 in Swanage. Overall, Swanage had fewer total crimes (18 vs 105).

Compare other areas

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