Crime in Bournemouth Central: statistics, rates and trends

5,571 crimes were recorded in Bournemouth Central in the 12 months to July 2026, 291.8 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 9% on the year before. The most common offence was anti-social behaviour, with 1,697 reports (30% of the total).

Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Bournemouth Central has the 74th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Bournemouth Central was highest in the year to July 2019 (6,727 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (5,571). Over the whole period it fell 16%, 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.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Bournemouth Central 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 anti-social behaviour, violence and sexual offences, shoplifting.

The largest increases were in drugs (+18%) and shoplifting (+11%). The largest falls were in bicycle theft (-39%) and theft from the person (-30%).

Anti-social behaviour in Bournemouth Central

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Bournemouth Central recorded 1,697 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (88.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 30.5% of all crime in the area.

Violence and sexual offences in Bournemouth Central

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Bournemouth Central recorded 1,644 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (86.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 29.5% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Bournemouth Central

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Bournemouth Central recorded 466 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (24.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 8.4% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Bournemouth Central

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Bournemouth Central recorded 338 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Bournemouth Central

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Bournemouth Central recorded 302 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 5.4% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Bournemouth Central

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Bournemouth Central recorded 275 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (14.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 4.9% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Bournemouth Central

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Bournemouth Central recorded 247 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 18% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Bournemouth Central

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Bournemouth Central recorded 208 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 3.7% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Bournemouth Central

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Bournemouth Central recorded 113 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Bournemouth Central

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Bournemouth Central recorded 82 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Bournemouth Central

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Bournemouth Central recorded 59 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 30% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Bournemouth Central

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Bournemouth Central recorded 57 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 39% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Bournemouth Central

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Bournemouth Central recorded 42 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Bournemouth Central

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Bournemouth Central recorded 41 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Bournemouth Central, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Bournemouth Central.

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 Bournemouth Central over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Bournemouth Central 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.

Bournemouth Central has an estimated population of 19,089. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Bournemouth Central sits in decile 5.0, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

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 Bournemouth Central. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.