Bournemouth Crime Rate August 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Bournemouth’s crime rate in August 2024 reached 11.3 per 1,000 residents, placing it 37.8% above the UK average of 8.2. This figure underscores a persistent challenge for the area, which is a major coastal resort and a hub for tourism and leisure. The most significant contributors to the overall rate were violence and sexual offences (32.6% of all crimes), followed by anti-social behaviour (23.2%) and shoplifting (7.5%). These patterns are consistent with Bournemouth’s character as a tourist destination, where high foot traffic and seasonal fluctuations likely influence crime dynamics. Violence and sexual offences, in particular, are 38% above the UK average, a disparity that may reflect the area’s nightlife and social mixing during peak summer months. Anti-social behaviour, also significantly above the UK average, points to broader community challenges that could be linked to the transient nature of some populations. Shoplifting, while lower than anti-social behaviour, remains 27% above the UK average, driven by the presence of retail centres and high streets. The data also reveals a seasonal context: August is a peak holiday month, with tourism and empty homes contributing to increased burglary risks. While these figures highlight areas of concern, they also provide a foundation for targeted interventions, such as enhanced policing during high-risk periods or community initiatives aimed at reducing anti-social behaviour.

August 2024 saw a 35.9% increase in burglary compared to July, with 106 incidents reported—up from 78. This rise aligns with seasonal patterns, as August is a peak holiday month when homes are often unoccupied, potentially increasing burglary risk. Conversely, drug-related crimes fell by 29.7%, dropping from 37 to 26, a decline that may reflect targeted policing efforts or reduced illicit activity during the summer. Anti-social behaviour remained the second most common crime, contributing 23.2% of all incidents, though it remained 81% above the UK average. The sharp 122% increase in bicycle theft compared to the UK average—0.2 per 1,000—suggests a localised issue, linked to Bournemouth’s coastal tourism and cycling infrastructure. Residents may find the 38% drop in theft from the person (from 18 to 16) a notable positive, though this remains below the UK average of 0.2 per 1,000.

Bournemouth’s crime rate in August 2024 rose 2.6% from July’s 11.0 per 1,000 to 11.3 per 1,000, reflecting a slight upward trend. This increase, though modest, positions the area 37.8% above the UK average of 8.2 per 1,000. On a daily basis, 74 crimes were reported each day in August, a figure that underscores the persistent nature of local crime. When scaled to the population of 202,207, this translates to one reported crime for every 88 residents over the course of the month—a rate that, while not extreme, highlights the need for sustained community vigilance. The population context further illustrates that crime is distributed across a large and diverse area, with implications for resource allocation and policing strategies. These figures, when viewed in conjunction with the UK average, suggest that Bournemouth’s crime profile remains distinct, with specific challenges that may require targeted interventions.