Crime in Christchurch Town: statistics, rates and trends
868 crimes were recorded in Christchurch Town in the 12 months to August 2026, 85.4 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and up 1% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime map
- 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
- Demographics of Christchurch Town
- Questions about crime in Christchurch Town
- About this data
Crime map
Anti-social behaviour (283), violence and sexual offences (241) and criminal damage and arson (67) made up 68% of all recorded crime. Its crime rate ranks 1,655th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site (1 = highest), in the upper half.
| Measure | Christchurch Town | Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to August 2026 | 868 | 35,930 | 5,618,064 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 85.4 | 87.9 | 96.7 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +1% | -1% | -1% |
| Population | 10,161 | 408,967 | 58,127,638 |
Recorded crime in Christchurch Town peaked in the year to August 2018 (1,356 crimes) and was lowest in the year to August 2025 (859). Between the years to August 2018 and 2026 it fell 36%, while across England and Wales it fell 4%.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to August 2026 | 868 | 85.4 | 96.7 |
| Year to August 2025 | 859 | 84.5 | 97.2 |
| Year to August 2024 | 977 | 96.2 | 97.9 |
| Year to August 2023 | 1,008 | 99.2 | n/a |
| Year to August 2022 | 1,250 | 123.0 | 102.0 |
| Year to August 2021 | 1,222 | 120.3 | 101.4 |
| Year to August 2020 | 1,054 | 103.7 | 102.7 |
| Year to August 2019 | 1,230 | 121.1 | 101.7 |
| Year to August 2018 | 1,356 | 133.5 | 100.8 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 79 |
| 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 |
Compared with England and Wales, Christchurch Town recorded notably more anti-social behaviour (81% above the national rate), and notably less public order (48% below) and vehicle crime (41% below). On the year before, anti-social behaviour rose from 213 to 283 and burglary rose from 34 to 43, while shoplifting fell from 97 to 53 and public order fell from 59 to 35.
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anti-social behaviour | 283 | 27.9 | 15.4 | +33% |
| Violence and sexual offences | 241 | 23.7 | 34.2 | -8% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 67 | 6.6 | 6.7 | +6% |
| Other theft | 65 | 6.4 | 6.4 | +2% |
| Shoplifting | 53 | 5.2 | 8.5 | -45% |
| Burglary | 43 | 4.2 | 3.6 | +26% |
| Public order | 35 | 3.4 | 6.7 | -41% |
| Vehicle crime | 30 | 3.0 | 5.0 | n/a |
| Bicycle theft | 15 | 1.5 | 0.8 | n/a |
| Possession of weapons | 10 | 1.0 | 1.0 | n/a |
| Drugs | 9 | 0.9 | 3.3 | n/a |
| Robbery | 7 | 0.7 | 1.4 | n/a |
| Other crime | 6 | 0.6 | 2.1 | n/a |
| Theft from the person | 4 | 0.4 | 1.7 | n/a |
What each category covers: crime categories.
1 of the 8 nearest neighbourhoods have a higher crime rate than Christchurch Town; the highest is Boscombe West (153.1 per 1,000) and the lowest Mudeford, Stanpit & West Highcliffe (36.6).
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Christchurch Town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burton & Grange | 714 | 77.5 | -9% |
| East Southbourne & Tuckton | 502 | 51.8 | -39% |
| Commons | 628 | 60.3 | -29% |
| West Southbourne | 467 | 50.4 | -41% |
| Littledown & Iford | 696 | 69.7 | -18% |
| Mudeford, Stanpit & West Highcliffe | 404 | 36.6 | -57% |
| Boscombe East & Pokesdown | 908 | 78.5 | -8% |
| Boscombe West | 1,673 | 153.1 | +79% |
The 10 locations below account for 53% of the crime recorded in Christchurch Town over the 12 months to August 2026; the most were recorded at “Parking Area” (183).
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 183 |
| On or near High Street | 86 |
| On or near Stony Lane South | 36 |
| On or near Church Street | 33 |
| On or near Fairfield | 28 |
| On or near Manor Road | 22 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 22 |
| On or near Millhams Street | 18 |
| On or near Castle Street | 16 |
| On or near Avon Buildings | 15 |
Of the 585 crimes in Christchurch Town with a recorded outcome, 44% ended with the investigation complete and no suspect identified, against 35% across England and Wales; 4.1% were awaiting a court outcome (England and Wales: 5.2%). The 283 anti-social behaviour reports have no outcome and are left out.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 258 | 44.1% | 35.3% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 164 | 28.0% | 34.5% |
| Under investigation | 56 | 9.6% | 11.5% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 24 | 4.1% | 5.2% |
| Status update unavailable | 19 | 3.2% | 4.7% |
| Court result unavailable | 13 | 2.2% | 2.5% |
| Local resolution | 13 | 2.2% | 3.1% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 12 | 2.1% | 0.5% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 10 | 1.7% | 1.3% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 10 | 1.7% | 0.3% |
| Offender given a caution | 3 | 0.5% | 0.6% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.3% | 0.3% |
Christchurch Town has an estimated population of 10,161 (ONS, mid-2024). Compared with England and Wales it has an older population (28%, against 19%), more retired residents (31%, against 22%) and fewer students (5.1%, against 7.9%). On the England IoD 2025, the small areas (LSOAs) that make up Christchurch Town average decile 5.9 (1 = most deprived), close to the middle.
| Measure | Christchurch Town | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 15.8% | 18.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 27.8% | 18.9% |
| Residents 16+ in work | 52.7% | 57.2% |
| Residents 16+ unemployed | 2.6% | 3.4% |
| Residents 16+ retired | 31.3% | 21.6% |
| Residents 16+ who are students | 5.1% | 7.9% |
| Residents 16+ with Level 4 qualifications or above (degree, HND and similar) | 31.0% | 33.8% |
| Residents 16+ with no qualifications | 16.8% | 18.2% |
| Households with no car or van | 21.1% | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 61.9% | 62.5% |
| Social rented homes | 18.2% | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 19.9% | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.9 | 5.5 (England) |
Is Christchurch Town a safe place to live?
Christchurch Town recorded 85.4 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to August 2026, close to the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and ranks 1,655th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods on this site by crime rate (1 = highest). The categories most above the national rate were anti-social behaviour.
What is the most common crime in Christchurch Town?
Anti-social behaviour was the most common category, with 283 reports in the 12 months to August 2026, followed by violence and sexual offences (241).
Is crime in Christchurch Town going up or down?
Recorded crime in Christchurch Town was up 1% on the year before: 868 crimes in the 12 months to August 2026 against 859 in the previous 12 months.
What is the population of Christchurch Town?
About 10,161 people (ONS mid-2024 estimate), 28% of them aged 65 or over (England and Wales: 19%).
Which police force covers Christchurch Town?
Christchurch Town is policed by Dorset.
Police-recorded crime from data.police.uk (September 2017 to August 2026), ONS population estimates and Census 2021. Definitions and limitations: methodology.