Crime in Highcliffe & Walkford: statistics, rates and trends
212 crimes were recorded in Highcliffe & Walkford in the 12 months to August 2026, 23.2 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and down 24% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime map
- 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
- Demographics of Highcliffe & Walkford
- Questions about crime in Highcliffe & Walkford
- About this data
Crime map
Violence and sexual offences (72), anti-social behaviour (43) and criminal damage and arson (28) made up 67% of all recorded crime. Its crime rate ranks 3,886th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site (1 = highest), in the lowest tenth.
| Measure | Highcliffe & Walkford | Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to August 2026 | 212 | 35,930 | 5,618,064 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 23.2 | 87.9 | 96.7 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -24% | -1% | -1% |
| Population | 9,135 | 408,967 | 58,127,638 |
The year to August 2026 had the least recorded crime in Highcliffe & Walkford of any year here (212 crimes). Between the years to August 2018 and 2026 it fell 32%, while across England and Wales it fell 4%.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to August 2026 | 212 | 23.2 | 96.7 |
| Year to August 2025 | 280 | 30.7 | 97.2 |
| Year to August 2024 | 307 | 33.6 | 97.9 |
| Year to August 2023 | 355 | 38.9 | n/a |
| Year to August 2022 | 351 | 38.4 | 102.0 |
| Year to August 2021 | 430 | 47.1 | 101.4 |
| Year to August 2020 | 392 | 42.9 | 102.7 |
| Year to August 2019 | 324 | 35.5 | 101.7 |
| Year to August 2018 | 312 | 34.2 | 100.8 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 19 |
| 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 |
No category with at least 20 crimes was notably above the England and Wales rate, and violence and sexual offences (77% below) and anti-social behaviour (69% below) were well below it. On the year before, anti-social behaviour fell from 65 to 43.
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 72 | 7.9 | 34.2 | -13% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 43 | 4.7 | 15.4 | -34% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 28 | 3.1 | 6.7 | +12% |
| Burglary | 18 | 2.0 | 3.6 | n/a |
| Other theft | 15 | 1.6 | 6.4 | n/a |
| Public order | 11 | 1.2 | 6.7 | n/a |
| Vehicle crime | 10 | 1.1 | 5.0 | n/a |
| Shoplifting | 7 | 0.8 | 8.5 | n/a |
| Bicycle theft | 3 | 0.3 | 0.8 | n/a |
| Drugs | 3 | 0.3 | 3.3 | n/a |
| Other crime | 1 | 0.1 | 2.1 | n/a |
| Possession of weapons | 1 | 0.1 | 1.0 | n/a |
What each category covers: crime categories.
Every one of the 8 nearest neighbourhoods has a higher crime rate than Highcliffe & Walkford.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Highcliffe & Walkford |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mudeford, Stanpit & West Highcliffe | 404 | 36.6 | +58% |
| Burton & Grange | 714 | 77.5 | +234% |
| Christchurch Town | 868 | 85.4 | +268% |
| Commons | 628 | 60.3 | +160% |
| East Southbourne & Tuckton | 502 | 51.8 | +123% |
| West Southbourne | 467 | 50.4 | +117% |
| Littledown & Iford | 696 | 69.7 | +200% |
| Boscombe East & Pokesdown | 908 | 78.5 | +238% |
The 10 locations below account for 37% of the crime recorded in Highcliffe & Walkford over the 12 months to August 2026; the most were recorded at “Apple Tree Gardens” and “Stanley Road” (13 each).
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Apple Tree Gardens | 13 |
| On or near Stanley Road | 13 |
| On or near Parking Area | 12 |
| On or near Poplar Close | 9 |
| On or near Marryat Court | 6 |
| On or near Oakleigh Way | 6 |
| On or near Abbots Close | 5 |
| On or near Hurst Close | 5 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 5 |
| On or near The Lawns | 5 |
Of the 169 crimes in Highcliffe & Walkford with a recorded outcome, 44% ended with the investigation complete and no suspect identified, against 35% across England and Wales; 0.6% were awaiting a court outcome (England and Wales: 5.2%). The 43 anti-social behaviour reports have no outcome and are left out.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 75 | 44.4% | 35.3% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 57 | 33.7% | 34.5% |
| Under investigation | 16 | 9.5% | 11.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 6 | 3.6% | 4.7% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 5 | 3.0% | 1.3% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 3 | 1.8% | 0.5% |
| Local resolution | 2 | 1.2% | 3.1% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 1 | 0.6% | 5.2% |
| Court result unavailable | 1 | 0.6% | 2.5% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.6% | 0.3% |
| Offender given a caution | 1 | 0.6% | 0.6% |
| Offender given a drugs possession warning | 1 | 0.6% | 0.0% |
Highcliffe & Walkford has an estimated population of 9,135 (ONS, mid-2024). Compared with England and Wales it has an older population (45%, against 19%), more retired residents (50%, against 22%) and less social housing (6.3%, against 17.1%). On the England IoD 2025, the small areas (LSOAs) that make up Highcliffe & Walkford average decile 8.3 (1 = most deprived), less deprived than average.
| Measure | Highcliffe & Walkford | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 10.4% | 18.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 45.1% | 18.9% |
| Residents 16+ in work | 39.9% | 57.2% |
| Residents 16+ unemployed | 1.6% | 3.4% |
| Residents 16+ retired | 49.8% | 21.6% |
| Residents 16+ who are students | 3.6% | 7.9% |
| Residents 16+ with Level 4 qualifications or above (degree, HND and similar) | 32.0% | 33.8% |
| Residents 16+ with no qualifications | 17.4% | 18.2% |
| Households with no car or van | 15.0% | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 82.4% | 62.5% |
| Social rented homes | 6.3% | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 11.2% | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 8.3 | 5.5 (England) |
Is Highcliffe & Walkford a safe place to live?
Highcliffe & Walkford recorded 23.2 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to August 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and ranks 3,886th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods on this site by crime rate (1 = highest).
What is the most common crime in Highcliffe & Walkford?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 72 reports in the 12 months to August 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (43).
Is crime in Highcliffe & Walkford going up or down?
Recorded crime in Highcliffe & Walkford was down 24% on the year before: 212 crimes in the 12 months to August 2026 against 280 in the previous 12 months.
What is the population of Highcliffe & Walkford?
About 9,135 people (ONS mid-2024 estimate), 45% of them aged 65 or over (England and Wales: 19%).
Which police force covers Highcliffe & Walkford?
Highcliffe & Walkford 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.