WHILE Christmas and new year is seen by many as a time of good spirits between friends and loved ones, scores of criminals commit offences over the festive period.

Whether it is night-time revellers engaging in alcohol-fuelled violence, possession of drugs or theft offences, Dorset Police remain busy as many get a few days off from work.

In 2021, Christmas Eve saw more than 100 offences reported to Dorset Police, while Christmas Day saw the force receive 68 crime reports.

As festive cheer turned to welcoming the new year, the reports increased.

The final day of last year saw 117 offences reported in the county, with more than a third involving violence against the person.

This crime category was also attracted more than half of reports on New Year’s Day, with the overall total of offence reports in Dorset including those made in the early hours of the morning.

Violence against the person was the most common offence type reported across Christmas Eve and Christmas Day as well.

Bournemouth Echo:

The Daily Echo obtained the breakdown of crime reports for Christmas and new year 2021 from Dorset Police through a Freedom of Information Act request.

Below is a breakdown by main crime group for all the offences reported to the force.

Christmas Eve - Friday, December 24, 2021 (108 crimes reported)

  • Violence against the person: 47
  • Theft: 24
  • Criminal damage: 11
  • Public order: 6
  • Theft from motor vehicle: 5
  • Drug offences: 4
  • Dwelling burglary: 3
  • Possession of weapons: 2
  • Sexual offences: 2
  • Burglary other: 1
  • Other offences: 1
  • Robbery: 1
  • Theft of motor vehicle: 1

Christmas Day – Saturday, December 25, 2021 (67 crimes reported)

  • Violence against the person: 35
  • Criminal damage: 9
  • Drug offences: 5
  • Dwelling burglary: 5
  • Theft: 5
  • Public order: 3
  • Burglary other: 2
  • Sexual offences: 1
  • Theft from motor vehicle: 1
  • Theft of motor vehicle: 1

New Year’s Eve – Friday. December 31, 2021 (116 crimes reported)

  • Violence against the person: 46
  • Theft: 23
  • Criminal damage: 11
  • Public order: 8
  • Dwelling burglary: 6
  • Drug offences: 5
  • Sexual offences: 5
  • Other offences: 3
  • Theft from motor vehicle: 3
  • Robbery: 2
  • Theft of motor vehicle: 2
  • Possession of weapons: 1
  • Burglary other: 1

New Year’s Day – Saturday, January 1, 2022 (136 crimes reported)

  • Violence against the person: 70
  • Criminal damage: 21
  • Theft: 13
  • Sexual offences: 9
  • Dwelling burglary: 8
  • Public order: 5
  • Drug offences: 4
  • Theft from motor vehicle: 2
  • Burglary other: 1
  • Other offences: 1
  • Possession of weapons: 1
  • Theft of motor vehicle: 1

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