Sex offences in leisure centres and swimming pools

Freedom of Information (FOI) Act request ref: 01/FIN/25/003554/I

Version Date: 28/08/2025

The Performance Analysis Department have provided the following information.

Performance Analysis have searched the Niche Crime Universe for sexual offences with the postcodes listed, these have then been reviewed to determine if the occurrence took place at a leisure centre.

1. How many reports have been made to your police force of sexual assault which are alleged to have taken place in leisure centres and swimming pools* between 1 January 2023 and 31st December 2023?
4
2. How many reports have been made to your police force of rape which are alleged to have taken place in leisure centres and swimming pools* between 1 January 2023 and 31st December 2023?
0
3. How many reports have been made to your police force of voyeurism (all forms of covert surveillance whether using a recording device or in person) which are alleged to have taken place in leisure centres and swimming pools* between 1 January 2023 and 31st December 2023?
1 - Several other reports have been linked by series under similar circumstances, however this is the only one that is logged as voyeursim, all others are logged as "Take / make / distribute indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of children" or similar
4. How many of the above points 1, 2 & 3 were reported to have taken place in a mixed sex, open plan village style changing area?
Information not held.
5. How many of the above points 1, 2 & 3 were reported to have taken place in a single-sex changing room?
Information not held.
6. How many of the above points 1, 2 & 3 were reported to have been committed by a male?
5
7. How many of the above points 1, 2 & 3 were reported to have been committed by a male member of staff?
3
8. How many of the above points 1, 2 & 3 were reported to have involved a female victim?
5
9. Does your force record the sex of offenders as biological sex or as gender identity?
Dorset Police records in line with biological sex where this information is relevant and required
*Leisure centres and swimming pools, with addresses, to facilitate this request:
Stokewood Leisure Centre Stokewood Road, Bournemouth BH3 7ND
Littledown Centre Chaseside, Bournemouth BH7 7DX
Weymouth Swimming Pool & Fitness Centre Knightsdale Rd, Weymouth DT4 0HX
Dorchester Sports Centre Coburg Road, Dorchester DT1 2HR
Poole (Dolphin) Leisure Centre Kingland Rd, Poole BH15 1TN
Two Riversmeet Leisure Complex Stony Lane South, Christchurch BH23 1HW