Bournemouth Crime Rate

Bournemouth's crime statistics reveal a crime rate of 106.5 incidents per 1,000 residents between February 2025 and January 2026. This figure is 16.8% above the UK average of 91.2 per 1,000. While certain crime types, such as Violence and sexual offences and Anti-social behaviour, remain prevalent, there’s been a positive trend of a 7.5% decrease in overall crime year-on-year. Understanding these trends and crime types is crucial for residents and potential newcomers to assess safety and security within the area. The data highlights a complex picture, requiring a nuanced understanding of both the challenges and the improvements in Bournemouth's crime landscape.

Bournemouth's crime landscape reveals that Violence and sexual offences are the most prevalent, accounting for 32.5 per 1,000 residents, 30.5% of all recorded crimes. Anti-social behaviour follows closely, affecting 25.9 per 1,000 individuals (24.3% of crimes). Shoplifting contributes significantly with 10.2 incidents per 1,000 residents (9.6% of total crimes). Overall, property crime affects 38.8 per 1,000 residents, indicating a notable presence of offences targeting possessions. The prevalence of these crime types reflects Bournemouth's blend of residential areas, commercial districts, and tourist attractions, which can create varied opportunities for criminal activity. The demographics of the area, including a mix of age groups and socioeconomic backgrounds, might also contribute to the observed patterns.

Crime in Bournemouth has shown a notable decrease of 7.5% year-on-year between February 2025 and January 2026. While monthly crime rates fluctuated, peaking at 11.3 per 1,000 in July 2025 and reaching a low of 7.4 per 1,000 in January 2026, the overall trend indicates a positive shift towards improved safety. This decrease is reflected in various crime categories, including Violence and sexual offences (-8.4% YoY), Vehicle crime (-17.6% YoY), and Burglary (-17.3% YoY). However, it's crucial to remain vigilant, as certain crime types, such as bicycle theft, have seen an increase.

How To Keep Safe in Bournemouth

Given the prevalence of Violence and sexual offences, be mindful of your surroundings, especially at night and in crowded areas. Secure your vehicle by locking doors and windows and using an alarm system – vehicle crime affects 7.3 per 1,000. Be aware of Anti-social behaviour and report any suspicious activity to the authorities. Finally, consider installing robust home security measures, such as scOS, to proactively deter potential intruders.

Crime patterns in Bournemouth vary throughout the day. Burglary is more likely in the afternoon, while vehicle crime is most common overnight (12am-6am). Violence and sexual offences tend to peak during the evening hours (6pm-12am), particularly on weekends. Understanding these time-based trends can help residents and visitors remain vigilant and take appropriate precautions.

Compared to neighbouring areas, Bournemouth's crime rate is higher than West Parley (30.8 per 1,000) but significantly lower than Bearwood (62.6 per 1,000). This comparison underscores the variations in crime levels across the region, with West Parley being the safer neighbour.

Traditional CCTV systems often provide recordings after a burglary has occurred. scOS, however, operates proactively, utilizing AI to detect potential threats at your property boundary. Its multi-camera intelligence constantly monitors all cameras simultaneously, instantly verifying vehicles with DVLA data and learning your family’s routines to distinguish genuine threats from everyday activity. For example, if a vehicle with a suspicious license plate approaches, scOS will proactively activate lights and speakers, deterring potential burglars and preventing the crime before it happens – a significant advantage over reactive security systems.