Christchurch (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole) Crime Rate

Christchurch (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole) presents a very positive safety profile, with an overall crime rate of 55.0 per 1,000 people per year. This figure is significantly lower than the UK national average of 93.1, earning the area an impressive safety score of 88/100. The local trend is also encouraging, with total crime decreasing by 8.7% year-over-year. This downward trajectory, combined with a property crime rate of 20.9—well below the national average of 32.9—positions Christchurch as one of the more secure urban settlements in the region. The following data provides a detailed breakdown of local crime patterns to help residents and visitors understand the safety landscape of the area.

In Christchurch (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole), the criminal landscape is primarily defined by violence and sexual offences, which account for 31.5% of all reported incidents (17.3 per 1,000 residents). This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 22.7% and shoplifting at 11.0%. While these figures highlight specific social challenges, property-related crime—including burglary, vehicle theft, and criminal damage—remains a significant concern for the community. The overall property crime rate stands at 20.9 per 1,000 people, which is notably lower than the UK average of 32.9. For residents and homeowners, this suggests that while the area is statistically safer than many urban centres, maintaining vigilance regarding home security and personal property remains essential to mitigate the risk of opportunistic theft and damage.

The 12-month trend for Christchurch shows a clear decrease in overall crime, with an 8.7% reduction compared to the previous year. Analysis of the monthly data reveals that crime rates fluctuated between a low of 3.7 per 1,000 people in January 2025 and a peak of 5.8 in July 2025. The summer months generally saw slightly higher activity, with July and August (5.3) recording the highest rates, possibly due to increased seasonal visitors. However, the year ended with a rate of 4.8 in October 2025, maintaining the overall downward trajectory. This sustained reduction suggests that Christchurch is successfully managing its safety profile, with the current trend indicating a safer environment for residents than in the preceding year.

How To Keep Safe in Christchurch (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole)

Violence and sexual offences are the most frequently reported crimes in Christchurch, making up 31.5% of total incidents. While the overall risk is low compared to national averages, staying aware of your surroundings is key to personal safety.

1. When walking at night, stick to well-lit main roads and avoid isolated shortcuts through parks or alleyways.
2. If using public transport or taxis late at night, share your live location with a trusted friend or family member via your smartphone.
3. Be mindful of your surroundings in busy areas like Christchurch town centre, especially during peak shopping hours or weekend evenings.
4. Consider carrying a personal safety alarm, which can provide a loud deterrent and attract help if you feel threatened.
5. Trust your instincts; if a situation or location feels uncomfortable, move to a crowded, well-lit area as quickly as possible.

Crime in Christchurch follows distinct temporal patterns. Theft and shoplifting are most prevalent during the afternoon, accounting for 48% of crimes between 12pm and 6pm, coinciding with peak retail activity. As the day transitions into evening and night, the nature of crime shifts. Vehicle crime becomes significantly more frequent during the night-time hours (12am-6am), representing 36% of incidents in that period. Burglary also peaks during the night at 23%. Conversely, the morning hours (6am-12pm) are relatively quiet for most crime types, though theft still accounts for 46% of activity during this window. These patterns suggest that while opportunistic theft is a daytime concern, property and vehicle security are most at risk during the hours of darkness.

When comparing Christchurch to its immediate neighbours, there is a clear range of safety profiles. Sopley remains exceptionally quiet with 0.0 crimes per 1,000 residents, while Barton on Sea also offers a very low rate of 22.3. Bransgore sits slightly closer to Christchurch with 41.2 crimes per 1,000. In contrast, New Milton has a significantly higher crime rate of 93.9, which is more in line with the UK national average. This context shows that while Christchurch is more active than its smallest rural neighbours, it remains a highly safe alternative to larger nearby towns, providing a balanced environment for residents within the local authority area.

With a property crime rate of 20.9 per 1,000 people, residents of Christchurch should prioritise security that prevents incidents rather than just recording them. Traditional CCTV and doorbell cameras often only provide footage of a crime after it has occurred, which offers little comfort to the victim. In contrast, a proactive system like scOS uses advanced AI to monitor your property boundaries in real-time. By distinguishing between your family, delivery drivers, and genuine threats, scOS can intervene autonomously before a break-in happens. Features such as instant lighting activation and audible warnings destroy the element of surprise that burglars rely on. In an area like Christchurch, where 23% of burglaries occur under the cover of darkness, having a system that never blinks and acts at the first sign of a threat provides the highest level of protection for your home and family.