Crime in Bournemouth: statistics, rates and trends

21,650 crimes were recorded in Bournemouth in the 12 months to July 2026, 106.8 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 4% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 6,559 reports (30% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Bournemouth has the 288th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Bournemouth was highest in the year to July 2018 (28,598 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (21,650). Over the whole period it fell 24%, 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 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, vehicle crime, bicycle theft.

The largest increases were in drugs (+30%) and robbery (+18%). The largest falls were in theft from the person (-19%) and possession of weapons (-17%).

Violence and sexual offences in Bournemouth

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Bournemouth recorded 6,559 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (32.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 30.3% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Bournemouth

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Bournemouth recorded 5,575 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (27.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 25.8% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Bournemouth

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Bournemouth recorded 2,003 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 9.3% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Bournemouth

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Bournemouth recorded 1,467 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 6.8% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Bournemouth

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Bournemouth recorded 1,367 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 6.3% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Bournemouth

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Bournemouth recorded 1,289 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 6.0% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Bournemouth

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Bournemouth recorded 1,116 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 5.2% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Bournemouth

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Bournemouth recorded 739 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Bournemouth

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Bournemouth recorded 596 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 30% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Bournemouth

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Bournemouth recorded 262 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Bournemouth

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Bournemouth recorded 229 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 18% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Bournemouth

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Bournemouth recorded 183 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Bournemouth

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Bournemouth recorded 135 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Bournemouth

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Bournemouth recorded 130 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

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

16 areas within Bournemouth, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Bournemouth Central had the highest rate (291.8 per 1,000) and Redhill & Northbourne the lowest (45.7). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

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 over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Bournemouth 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 has an estimated population of 202,677. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Bournemouth sits in decile 5.4, 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. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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