Bournemouth Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Bournemouth's February 2024 crime rate of 9.4 per 1,000 residents places the area 32.4% above the UK average of 7.1, reflecting a persistent challenge in maintaining public safety relative to national benchmarks. This elevated rate is driven by a distinct crime profile, with violence and sexual offences accounting for 29.3% of all incidents, anti-social behaviour at 23.0%, and vehicle crime at 10.1%. These patterns align with Bournemouth's character as a coastal town with a mix of urban density and tourist activity, where vehicle crime may be influenced by commuter traffic and anti-social behaviour linked to nightlife and public spaces. The seasonal context of February—a winter month with lower outdoor activity and pre-spring lull—likely contributes to the relative stability of violent crime compared to peak tourist seasons. However, the significant disparity in anti-social behaviour and vehicle crime suggests systemic factors beyond seasonal fluctuations, such as the area's infrastructure or social dynamics. While the overall rate remains concerning, the breakdown shows that property crimes (735) slightly outnumber violent crimes (555), indicating a balance between personal safety and community disorder issues. This contrast with the UK average, where property crimes typically dominate, underscores the need for targeted interventions addressing the unique drivers of Bournemouth's crime profile.

February 2024 saw marked fluctuations in specific crime categories, with possession of weapons surging by 100% (6 to 12 incidents) and other crime rising by 46.2% (13 to 19). These increases contrast with declines in burglary (-34.4%) and shoplifting (-9.7%), reflecting shifts in criminal activity patterns. Anti-social behaviour remained the most prevalent category, occurring at 110% above the UK average, while violence and sexual offences were 8% above national figures. Vehicle crime—often linked to the area's commuter traffic and car-centric infrastructure—was 105% above the UK average, a stark departure from the national trend. Conversely, theft from the person fell sharply by 45.5% (11 to 6), potentially influenced by reduced foot traffic during the winter lull. For residents, the 100% increase in weapon possession cases highlights a localised concern that may warrant attention from community safety initiatives.

Bournemouth's crime rate in February 2024 stood at 9.4 per 1,000 residents, a 3.0% decrease from the previous month's rate of 9.7 per 1,000. This slight decline aligns with seasonal patterns typical of winter months, when outdoor activity and tourism-related crime tend to dip. Over the course of February, the area experienced approximately 65 crimes per day—a figure that reflects both the local context and the density of the built-up area. When scaled to the population of 202,207, this equates to one reported crime for every 107 residents during the month, underscoring the frequency of incidents relative to the community size. While this rate remains higher than the UK average, the month-on-month reduction suggests a potential stabilization in trends, though further analysis across multiple months would be required to confirm long-term shifts. The population context also highlights that crime remains a significant concern for residents, with the density of the area likely contributing to higher visibility and reporting rates compared to more rural or sparsely populated regions.