Crime in Highcliffe & Walkford: statistics, rates and trends
227 crimes were recorded in Highcliffe & Walkford in the 12 months to July 2026, 24.8 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 18% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Highcliffe & Walkford at a glance
- Crime trends in Highcliffe & Walkford
- Types of crime in Highcliffe & Walkford
- Highcliffe & Walkford compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Highcliffe & Walkford
- What happened after crimes were reported in Highcliffe & Walkford
- Population and deprivation in Highcliffe & Walkford
- Questions about crime in Highcliffe & Walkford
- About this data
227 crimes were recorded in Highcliffe & Walkford in the 12 months to July 2026, 24.8 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 18% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 77 reports (34% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Highcliffe & Walkford has the 3,865th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Highcliffe & Walkford | Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 227 | 35,434 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 24.8 | 86.6 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -18% | -4% | -1% |
| Population | 9,135 | 408,967 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Highcliffe & Walkford was highest in the year to July 2021 (428 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (227). Over the whole period it fell 29%, 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 | 227 | 24.8 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 276 | 30.2 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 311 | 34.0 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 340 | 37.2 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 355 | 38.9 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 428 | 46.9 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 403 | 44.1 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 322 | 35.2 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 321 | 35.1 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 14 |
| June 2026 | 30 |
| May 2026 | 20 |
| April 2026 | 15 |
| March 2026 | 9 |
| February 2026 | 14 |
| January 2026 | 15 |
| December 2025 | 25 |
| November 2025 | 12 |
| October 2025 | 20 |
| September 2025 | 19 |
| August 2025 | 34 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Highcliffe & Walkford 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. The largest increases were in criminal damage and arson (+17%).
The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-48%) and other theft (-31%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 77 | 8.4 | 0.25 | -3% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 47 | 5.1 | 0.34 | -23% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 28 | 3.1 | 0.45 | +17% |
| Other theft | 20 | 2.2 | 0.34 | -31% |
| Burglary | 18 | 2.0 | 0.56 | -18% |
| Vehicle crime | 12 | 1.3 | 0.27 | -48% |
| Public order | 11 | 1.2 | 0.18 | +22% |
| Shoplifting | 6 | 0.7 | 0.08 | -60% |
| Bicycle theft | 3 | 0.3 | 0.40 | -25% |
| Drugs | 3 | 0.3 | 0.10 | -25% |
| Other crime | 1 | 0.1 | 0.05 | -67% |
| Possession of weapons | 1 | 0.1 | 0.11 | -50% |
Violence and sexual offences in Highcliffe & Walkford
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Highcliffe & Walkford recorded 77 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 33.9% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Highcliffe & Walkford
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Highcliffe & Walkford recorded 47 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 20.7% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Highcliffe & Walkford
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Highcliffe & Walkford recorded 28 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 12.3% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Highcliffe & Walkford
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Highcliffe & Walkford recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 31% on the year before. It made up 8.8% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Highcliffe & Walkford
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Highcliffe & Walkford recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 7.9% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Highcliffe & Walkford
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Highcliffe & Walkford recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 48% on the year before. It made up 5.3% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Highcliffe & Walkford
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Highcliffe & Walkford recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 22% on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Highcliffe & Walkford
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Highcliffe & Walkford recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 60% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Highcliffe & Walkford
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Highcliffe & Walkford recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Highcliffe & Walkford
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Highcliffe & Walkford recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Highcliffe & Walkford
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Highcliffe & Walkford recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 67% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Highcliffe & Walkford
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Highcliffe & Walkford recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Highcliffe & Walkford, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Highcliffe & Walkford.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Highcliffe & Walkford |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mudeford, Stanpit & West Highcliffe | 398 | 36.0 | +45% |
| Burton & Grange | 692 | 75.1 | +202% |
| Christchurch Town | 868 | 85.4 | +244% |
| Commons | 627 | 60.2 | +142% |
| East Southbourne & Tuckton | 498 | 51.4 | +107% |
| West Southbourne | 472 | 50.9 | +105% |
| Littledown & Iford | 695 | 69.6 | +180% |
| Boscombe East & Pokesdown | 911 | 78.8 | +217% |
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 Highcliffe & Walkford over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Apple Tree Gardens | 13 |
| On or near Parking Area | 11 |
| On or near Stanley Road | 11 |
| On or near Poplar Close | 10 |
| On or near Hurst Close | 7 |
| On or near Marryat Court | 7 |
| On or near Oakleigh Way | 7 |
| On or near Cobbs Beck Lane | 5 |
| On or near The Lawns | 5 |
| On or near Walkford Lane | 5 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Highcliffe & Walkford 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 | 80 | 35.2% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 60 | 26.4% |
| Not recorded | 47 | 20.7% |
| Under investigation | 15 | 6.6% |
| Status update unavailable | 7 | 3.1% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 5 | 2.2% |
| Local resolution | 5 | 2.2% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 3 | 1.3% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 1 | 0.4% |
| Offender given a drugs possession warning | 1 | 0.4% |
| Offender given a caution | 1 | 0.4% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.4% |
Highcliffe & Walkford has an estimated population of 9,135. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Highcliffe & Walkford sits in decile 8.3, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Highcliffe & Walkford |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 10.4% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 44.4% |
| Aged 65 and over | 45.1% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 82.4% |
| Social rented homes | 6.3% |
| Private rented homes | 11.2% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 8.3 |
Is Highcliffe & Walkford a safe place to live?
Highcliffe & Walkford recorded 24.8 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, lower 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 Highcliffe & Walkford?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 77 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (47).
Is crime in Highcliffe & Walkford going up or down?
Recorded crime in Highcliffe & Walkford was down 18% on the year before: 227 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 276 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Highcliffe & Walkford?
Highcliffe & Walkford 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 Highcliffe & Walkford. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.