Crime in Boscombe West: statistics, rates and trends
1,642 crimes were recorded in Boscombe West in the 12 months to July 2026, 150.3 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 7% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Boscombe West at a glance
- Crime trends in Boscombe West
- Types of crime in Boscombe West
- Boscombe West compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Boscombe West
- What happened after crimes were reported in Boscombe West
- Population and deprivation in Boscombe West
- Questions about crime in Boscombe West
- About this data
1,642 crimes were recorded in Boscombe West in the 12 months to July 2026, 150.3 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 7% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 517 reports (31% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Boscombe West has the 428th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Boscombe West | Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,642 | 35,434 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 150.3 | 86.6 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +7% | -4% | -1% |
| Population | 10,926 | 408,967 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Boscombe West was highest in the year to July 2018 (2,767 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (1,535). Over the whole period it fell 41%, against a fall of 4% across England and Wales. Rates use today's population for every year, so they show the direction of change rather than exact historic rates.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 1,642 | 150.3 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,535 | 140.5 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,723 | 157.7 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,715 | 157.0 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 2,099 | 192.1 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 2,310 | 211.4 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 2,486 | 227.5 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 2,630 | 240.7 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 2,767 | 253.2 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 205 |
| June 2026 | 163 |
| May 2026 | 162 |
| April 2026 | 144 |
| March 2026 | 124 |
| February 2026 | 122 |
| January 2026 | 117 |
| December 2025 | 110 |
| November 2025 | 106 |
| October 2025 | 117 |
| September 2025 | 118 |
| August 2025 | 154 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Boscombe West over the 12 months to July 2026. The index compares the local rate with England and Wales: 1.00 is the national rate, 2.00 is double it. Rates were well above the national level for violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour, vehicle crime.
The largest increases were in drugs (+85%) and vehicle crime (+32%). The largest falls were in other theft (-11%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 517 | 47.3 | 1.38 | -0% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 430 | 39.4 | 2.57 | +9% |
| Vehicle crime | 112 | 10.3 | 2.08 | +32% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 107 | 9.8 | 1.44 | +1% |
| Other theft | 103 | 9.4 | 1.47 | -11% |
| Shoplifting | 98 | 9.0 | 1.08 | +5% |
| Public order | 89 | 8.1 | 1.23 | +19% |
| Drugs | 50 | 4.6 | 1.40 | +85% |
| Burglary | 49 | 4.5 | 1.27 | -9% |
| Robbery | 26 | 2.4 | 1.76 | +117% |
| Bicycle theft | 21 | 1.9 | 2.34 | +11% |
| Possession of weapons | 17 | 1.6 | 1.60 | +183% |
| Other crime | 13 | 1.2 | 0.56 | -32% |
| Theft from the person | 10 | 0.9 | 0.54 | -17% |
Violence and sexual offences in Boscombe West
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Boscombe West recorded 517 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (47.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 31.5% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Boscombe West
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Boscombe West recorded 430 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (39.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 26.2% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Boscombe West
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Boscombe West recorded 112 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 32% on the year before. It made up 6.8% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Boscombe West
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Boscombe West recorded 107 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 6.5% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Boscombe West
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Boscombe West recorded 103 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 6.3% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Boscombe West
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Boscombe West recorded 98 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 6.0% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Boscombe West
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Boscombe West recorded 89 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 5.4% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Boscombe West
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Boscombe West recorded 50 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 85% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Boscombe West
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Boscombe West recorded 49 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Boscombe West
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Boscombe West recorded 26 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 117% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Boscombe West
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Boscombe West recorded 21 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Boscombe West
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Boscombe West recorded 17 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 183% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Boscombe West
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Boscombe West recorded 13 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 32% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Boscombe West
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Boscombe West recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Boscombe West, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Boscombe West.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Boscombe West |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Cliff & Springbourne | 1,701 | 99.9 | -34% |
| Boscombe East & Pokesdown | 911 | 78.8 | -48% |
| Queen's Park | 732 | 61.4 | -59% |
| Bournemouth Central | 5,571 | 291.8 | +94% |
| Littledown & Iford | 695 | 69.6 | -54% |
| West Southbourne | 472 | 50.9 | -66% |
| Winton East | 1,539 | 124.1 | -17% |
| Muscliff & Strouden Park | 1,573 | 89.6 | -40% |
Police.uk records each crime at an approximate location, usually the centre of a nearby street or a landmark, to protect victims' privacy. These are the locations with the most reports in Boscombe West over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 197 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 123 |
| On or near Roumelia Lane | 73 |
| On or near Wharncliffe Road | 71 |
| On or near Theatre/Concert Hall | 70 |
| On or near Supermarket | 61 |
| On or near Boscombe Spa Road | 45 |
| On or near Undercliff Road | 44 |
| On or near Adeline Road | 41 |
| On or near Borthwick Road | 41 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Boscombe West over the 12 months to July 2026. Many cases are still open when the data is published, and anti-social behaviour has no outcome recorded, so these shares change as investigations finish.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 435 | 26.5% |
| Not recorded | 430 | 26.2% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 430 | 26.2% |
| Under investigation | 127 | 7.7% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 58 | 3.5% |
| Local resolution | 46 | 2.8% |
| Court result unavailable | 32 | 1.9% |
| Status update unavailable | 29 | 1.8% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 19 | 1.2% |
| Offender given a caution | 15 | 0.9% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 10 | 0.6% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 9 | 0.5% |
Boscombe West has an estimated population of 10,926. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Boscombe West sits in decile 2.5, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Boscombe West |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 14.0% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 73.9% |
| Aged 65 and over | 12.2% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 29.7% |
| Social rented homes | 9.8% |
| Private rented homes | 60.4% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 2.5 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 37.7% |
Is Boscombe West a safe place to live?
Boscombe West recorded 150.3 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4. Crime is concentrated in a small number of places within most areas, often busy centres and transport hubs, so the rate for a single street can differ a lot from the area as a whole.
What is the most common crime in Boscombe West?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 517 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (430).
Is crime in Boscombe West going up or down?
Recorded crime in Boscombe West was up 7% on the year before: 1,642 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,535 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Boscombe West?
Boscombe West is policed by Dorset. Non-emergency crimes can be reported online to the force or by calling 101; in an emergency call 999.
How are these crime rates calculated?
Each rate is the number of crimes recorded by the police in the 12 months to July 2026, divided by the resident population and multiplied by 1,000. Crime data is from data.police.uk and population estimates are from the Office for National Statistics.
Figures are police-recorded crime published on data.police.uk, covering August 2017 to July 2026. Each crime is counted in the small area (LSOA) where it was recorded and added up to Boscombe West. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.