Bournemouth Crime Rate January 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Bournemouth's crime rate in January 2025 stood at 7.8 per 1,000 residents, placing it 9.9% above the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. This figure, while showing a 4.9% decrease from December's 8.2 per 1,000, underscores the area's ongoing challenges in maintaining lower crime levels compared to the national benchmark. The breakdown of crimes reveals a stark imbalance in categories, with violence and sexual offences (550 incidents, 35.0% of total) and anti-social behaviour (321 incidents, 20.5%) dominating the landscape. These trends align with Bournemouth's status as a coastal resort, where high foot traffic in tourist areas and the presence of nightlife may contribute to elevated levels of violence and disorder. Seasonal factors also appear to influence patterns: January's reduced retail activity and shorter days likely dampened outdoor crimes, yet the prominence of violent offences suggests that local dynamics — such as the proximity of university campuses or transient populations — may play a role. Property crimes, at 552 (35.0% of total), were evenly split with violent crimes, a balance that contrasts with UK averages where property crimes typically outnumber violent ones. Shoplifting (119 incidents) remained 3% below the UK average, due to the area's retail infrastructure and security measures in high-traffic zones. The data also highlights persistent disparities, such as anti-social behaviour being 63% above the UK average, a figure that may reflect the challenges of managing public spaces in a tourist-driven economy. These findings illustrate the combination of Bournemouth's geography, demographics, and seasonal rhythms in shaping its crime profile.

January 2025 saw a 21.3% increase in burglary, with 57 incidents reported compared to 47 in December. This rise, despite a general downward trend in overall crime, may be linked to seasonal factors such as increased home occupancy during the post-holiday period, which could make properties more vulnerable. Conversely, theft from the person fell by 46.7% (15 → 8), reflecting reduced foot traffic in public spaces during January's shorter daylight hours. Anti-social behaviour remained high, with 321 incidents (20.5% of total crimes) — 63% above the UK average — a figure that may be influenced by the area's coastal resort character and associated social dynamics. Shoplifting increased by 14.4% (104 → 119), yet remained 3% below the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000, suggesting a nuanced local pattern. The data also highlights a 30.6% drop in drug-related crimes, from 36 to 25, a reduction that may be tied to enforcement efforts or shifts in illicit activity during the winter months.

Bournemouth's crime rate in January 2025 (7.8 per 1,000 residents) marked a 4.9% decrease from December 2024's 8.2 per 1,000, reflecting a slight downward trend. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 51 crimes per day, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents within the built-up area's population of 202,207. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 129 residents, a monthly exposure rate that highlights the frequency of incidents relative to the local population. This rate is 9.9% above the UK average, underscoring Bournemouth's distinct position compared to the national picture. The decrease from the previous month may be attributed to seasonal factors, such as reduced foot traffic in retail areas during January, which typically follows the Christmas shopping period. However, the overall rate remains higher than the UK average, suggesting persistent challenges in certain crime categories. The population-scaled perspective reveals that while the rate has fallen slightly, the area still experiences a higher burden of crime than the national average, particularly in categories like anti-social behaviour and violence.