Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Crime Rate July 2023 | Monthly Statistics

The crime profile of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole in July 2023 reveals a mix of violent and property-related offences that aligns with the area’s coastal and urban characteristics. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 30% of all crimes, with 1,094 incidents reported at a rate of 2.7 per 1,000. This figure is 3% below the UK average for the category, suggesting that while violence remains a significant concern, local factors may temper its prevalence compared to the national picture. Anti-social behaviour, the second most common crime type, occurred at 2.4 per 1,000—69% above the UK average. This stark contrast likely reflects the area’s tourist-driven economy and the density of public spaces, where incidents such as noise disputes and public intoxication are more common during the summer months. Shoplifting, at 0.6 per 1,000, mirrored the UK average, indicating that retail-focused crime is in line with national trends. The seasonal context of July—peak tourism, festivals, and school holidays—likely contributes to the balance of crime types observed. While violent crime remains a key concern, the prominence of anti-social behaviour and property-related offences underscores the need for strategies that address both the transient and local populations. The overall crime rate of 8.9 per 1,000, 7.2% above the UK average, highlights the area’s unique challenges in managing crime during periods of high visitor numbers and community activity.

July 2023 saw a sharp 59.4% increase in theft from the person, rising from 32 to 51 incidents. This jump may partly reflect the summer season, when open-air events and tourist activity create more opportunities for opportunistic crimes. Conversely, robbery decreased by 29.5%, with incidents falling from 44 to 31—a shift that could be linked to heightened police presence during peak tourist periods or changes in criminal behaviour during warmer months. Anti-social behaviour remained a standout category, with rates 69% above the UK average (2.4 vs 1.4 per 1,000). This disparity likely reflects the area’s coastal and urban character, where high foot traffic and summer festivals may amplify such incidents. Bicycle theft, meanwhile, was 100% above the UK average (0.2 vs 0.1 per 1,000), a figure that may connect to the popularity of cycling in the area and the seasonal increase in outdoor activity. These trends highlight the need for targeted interventions in high-risk areas during the summer months.

The crime rate in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole dropped by 5.9% from 9.5 per 1,000 in June to 8.9 per 1,000 in July, reflecting a slight but notable downward trend. This decrease aligns with the seasonal rhythm of the area, where summer tourism peaks but may also see temporary reductions in certain crime types as local communities adjust to increased foot traffic and event activity. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 118 crimes per day in July, a figure that contextualises the frequency of incidents for residents and visitors alike. When considering the monthly exposure, one crime occurred for roughly every 112 residents over the course of the month, underscoring the scale of incidents relative to the population. This rate, while above the UK average, highlights the need for continued monitoring of patterns that may emerge during the summer months. The population context further illustrates that even with a total of 3,647 crimes, the distribution across 408,967 residents means that most individuals are not directly affected by crime on a daily basis, though certain areas or demographics may experience higher concentrations of specific offences.