Bournemouth Crime Rate January 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Bournemouth’s crime rate in January 2025 was 7.8 per 1,000 residents, placing it 9.9% above the UK average of 7.1. This figure reflects a combination of seasonal and local factors, with the post-holiday period contributing to reduced retail activity and shorter daylight hours likely dampening outdoor crimes. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 35% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (20.5%) and criminal damage and arson (7.8%). The UK average for violence and sexual offences was 2.5 per 1,000, while Bournemouth’s rate of 2.7 per 1,000 suggests a slightly higher incidence of these crimes in the area. Anti-social behaviour, at 1.6 per 1,000, was 63% above the UK average of 1.0 per 1,000, a disparity that may be linked to the town’s high population density and the concentration of public spaces in the built-up region. The seasonal context of January—characterised by reduced outdoor activity and lower retail footfall—likely contributes to the overall dip in crime rates compared to December. However, the persistence of high anti-social behaviour rates indicates that localised factors, such as alcohol consumption in town centre venues or the lack of community policing in certain areas, may be exacerbating the issue. The data also highlights a stark contrast in the performance of different crime categories: while shoplifting and other thefts saw modest declines, the rise in burglary and the elevated levels of violence suggest that the area faces a complex crime picture requiring nuanced strategies to address both property and violent crime. The town’s coastal and tourist-oriented economy may also play a role in shaping crime trends, as areas with high visitor turnover are often more prone to anti-social behaviour and property-related incidents.

January 2025 saw a 21.3% increase in burglary cases, the most significant month-on-month rise, with 57 incidents reported compared to 47 in December. This uptick may be linked to the post-holiday period, when homes are more likely to be unoccupied or less monitored. Shoplifting also rose by 14.4%, with 119 incidents, though this remained 3% below the UK average. Conversely, theft from the person fell sharply by 46.7%, from 15 to 8 cases, a drop that could reflect reduced pedestrian activity during shorter winter days. Drug-related crimes also declined by 30.6%, with 25 incidents recorded, though this still left the area 62% below the UK average for this category. Anti-social behaviour, however, remained high, with 321 incidents—63% above the national average—highlighting persistent issues in public spaces such as the town centre and coastal areas. The breakdown shows a shift in crime mix, with violent crimes accounting for 35% of all incidents, the highest proportion in the dataset, while property crimes dropped to 35% (from 550 of 1,570 total crimes). This shift may reflect seasonal factors, with violent crimes more likely to occur in indoor settings during colder months. The town’s retail and leisure hubs continue to see elevated rates of anti-social behaviour, a pattern that has persisted for several months and may require targeted interventions.

Bournemouth’s crime rate in January 2025 stood at 7.8 per 1,000 residents, a 4.9% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 8.2. This decline aligns with the post-holiday lull typically seen in January, when retail footfall and outdoor activity drop. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 51 crimes per day, a figure that reflects the seasonal dip in activity but remains consistent with local patterns. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 129 residents, a monthly exposure rate that contextualises the scale of incidents within the population. While this rate is slightly higher than the UK average, the month-on-month reduction suggests a temporary easing of pressure on local policing resources. The decrease is most pronounced in theft from the person and drug-related crimes, which may partly explain the overall trend. However, the persistence of high rates in anti-social behaviour and violence indicates ongoing challenges in certain areas of the built-up region. The town centre and coastal areas, which are focal points for tourism and retail activity, continue to see disproportionate levels of anti-social behaviour, suggesting that these spaces remain vulnerable to disorder despite seasonal downturns. The drop in drug-related crimes could reflect improved community engagement or law enforcement initiatives targeting substance misuse, though this remains speculative without further data. The burglary increase, meanwhile, may be linked to the post-holiday period when homes are more likely to be unoccupied or less monitored, particularly in residential suburbs where property crime is concentrated.