Crime in Christchurch Town: statistics, rates and trends
868 crimes were recorded in Christchurch Town in the 12 months to July 2026, 85.4 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and almost unchanged on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Christchurch Town at a glance
- Crime trends in Christchurch Town
- Types of crime in Christchurch Town
- Christchurch Town compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Christchurch Town
- What happened after crimes were reported in Christchurch Town
- Population and deprivation in Christchurch Town
- Questions about crime in Christchurch Town
- About this data
868 crimes were recorded in Christchurch Town in the 12 months to July 2026, 85.4 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. The most common offence was anti-social behaviour, with 285 reports (33% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Christchurch Town has the 1,645th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Christchurch Town | Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 868 | 35,434 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 85.4 | 86.6 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -0% | -4% | -1% |
| Population | 10,161 | 408,967 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Christchurch Town was highest in the year to July 2018 (1,365 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (868). Over the whole period it fell 36%, 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 | 868 | 85.4 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 869 | 85.5 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,005 | 98.9 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 987 | 97.1 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,292 | 127.2 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,188 | 116.9 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,087 | 107.0 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,213 | 119.4 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,365 | 134.3 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 99 |
| June 2026 | 66 |
| May 2026 | 77 |
| April 2026 | 57 |
| March 2026 | 85 |
| February 2026 | 92 |
| January 2026 | 65 |
| December 2025 | 51 |
| November 2025 | 63 |
| October 2025 | 76 |
| September 2025 | 58 |
| August 2025 | 79 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Christchurch Town 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, bicycle theft.
The largest increases were in anti-social behaviour (+47%) and vehicle crime (+45%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-53%) and public order (-47%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anti-social behaviour | 285 | 28.0 | 1.83 | +47% |
| Violence and sexual offences | 248 | 24.4 | 0.71 | -9% |
| Other theft | 68 | 6.7 | 1.05 | +10% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 63 | 6.2 | 0.91 | -10% |
| Shoplifting | 47 | 4.6 | 0.56 | -53% |
| Burglary | 40 | 3.9 | 1.11 | +0% |
| Public order | 32 | 3.1 | 0.47 | -47% |
| Vehicle crime | 32 | 3.1 | 0.64 | +45% |
| Bicycle theft | 18 | 1.8 | 2.15 | +12% |
| Possession of weapons | 10 | 1.0 | 1.01 | +100% |
| Drugs | 8 | 0.8 | 0.24 | +60% |
| Other crime | 7 | 0.7 | 0.33 | +17% |
| Robbery | 6 | 0.6 | 0.44 | -25% |
| Theft from the person | 4 | 0.4 | 0.23 | -33% |
Anti-social behaviour in Christchurch Town
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Christchurch Town recorded 285 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (28.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 47% on the year before. It made up 32.8% of all crime in the area.
Violence and sexual offences in Christchurch Town
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Christchurch Town recorded 248 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (24.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 28.6% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Christchurch Town
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Christchurch Town recorded 68 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 7.8% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Christchurch Town
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Christchurch Town recorded 63 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 7.3% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Christchurch Town
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Christchurch Town recorded 47 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 53% on the year before. It made up 5.4% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Christchurch Town
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Christchurch Town recorded 40 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 4.6% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Christchurch Town
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Christchurch Town recorded 32 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 47% on the year before. It made up 3.7% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Christchurch Town
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Christchurch Town recorded 32 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 45% on the year before. It made up 3.7% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Christchurch Town
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Christchurch Town recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Christchurch Town
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Christchurch Town recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Christchurch Town
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Christchurch Town recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 60% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Christchurch Town
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Christchurch Town recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Christchurch Town
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Christchurch Town recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Christchurch Town
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Christchurch Town recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Christchurch Town, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Christchurch Town.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Christchurch Town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burton & Grange | 692 | 75.1 | -12% |
| East Southbourne & Tuckton | 498 | 51.4 | -40% |
| Commons | 627 | 60.2 | -30% |
| West Southbourne | 472 | 50.9 | -40% |
| Littledown & Iford | 695 | 69.6 | -19% |
| Mudeford, Stanpit & West Highcliffe | 398 | 36.0 | -58% |
| Boscombe East & Pokesdown | 911 | 78.8 | -8% |
| Boscombe West | 1,642 | 150.3 | +76% |
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 Christchurch Town over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 180 |
| On or near High Street | 82 |
| On or near Stony Lane South | 37 |
| On or near Church Street | 34 |
| On or near Fairfield | 27 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 24 |
| On or near Manor Road | 21 |
| On or near Troak Close | 18 |
| On or near Millhams Street | 17 |
| On or near Castle Street | 16 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Christchurch Town 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Not recorded | 285 | 32.8% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 249 | 28.7% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 163 | 18.8% |
| Under investigation | 63 | 7.3% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 21 | 2.4% |
| Court result unavailable | 16 | 1.8% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 16 | 1.8% |
| Status update unavailable | 16 | 1.8% |
| Local resolution | 13 | 1.5% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 13 | 1.5% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 9 | 1.0% |
| Offender given a caution | 2 | 0.2% |
Christchurch Town has an estimated population of 10,161. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Christchurch Town sits in decile 5.9, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Christchurch Town |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 15.8% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 56.4% |
| Aged 65 and over | 27.8% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 61.9% |
| Social rented homes | 18.2% |
| Private rented homes | 19.9% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.9 |
Is Christchurch Town a safe place to live?
Christchurch Town recorded 85.4 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, close to 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 Christchurch Town?
Anti-social behaviour was the most common category, with 285 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by violence and sexual offences (248).
Is crime in Christchurch Town going up or down?
Recorded crime in Christchurch Town was almost unchanged on the year before: 868 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 869 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Christchurch Town?
Christchurch Town 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 Christchurch Town. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.