Southbourne Crime Rate

Introduction to Southbourne Crime Statistics

Southbourne, a Built-Up Area with a population of 4,741, reports an overall crime rate of 51.9 per 1,000 residents per year. This figure is considerably lower than the national average UK crime rate of 93.4 per 1,000, positioning Southbourne as a safer community. The area also boasts a strong safety score of 88 out of 100, well above the UK average of 78. Furthermore, recent data indicates a positive trend with a significant 27.2% decrease in crime year-over-year. This overview provides a positive context for a detailed analysis of crime types, temporal patterns, and local comparisons.

Crime Type Analysis in Southbourne

In Southbourne, Violence and sexual offences represent the most common crime type, accounting for 37.0% of all reported incidents, at a rate of 19.2 per 1,000 residents. Anti-social behaviour is the second most prevalent, making up 22.8% of total crimes, with 11.8 incidents per 1,000 people. Criminal damage and arson ranks third, comprising 13.0% of offences at 6.8 per 1,000. These statistics highlight specific areas of focus for public safety within the community.

Regarding property-related crime, Southbourne records a rate of 15.4 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the UK average of 33.2 per 1,000. This category includes burglary (0.2 per 1,000), vehicle crime (2.3 per 1,000), other theft (1.1 per 1,000), criminal damage and arson (6.8 per 1,000), bicycle theft (0.2 per 1,000), robbery (0.2 per 1,000), and theft from the person (not listed). The low property crime rate contributes positively to Southbourne's safety profile, offering residents a reassuring level of security. Nevertheless, continued vigilance and appropriate security measures are always advisable.

Crime Trend Analysis in Southbourne

Southbourne has experienced a positive crime trend over the past year, with a significant 27.2% decrease in total crimes year-over-year. An examination of the monthly crime rates per 1,000 residents reveals fluctuations throughout the period. The lowest crime rate was observed in December 2024 at 3.0 per 1,000, indicating a particularly quiet month. Conversely, May 2025 recorded the highest rate at 7.2 per 1,000, suggesting a mid-year peak in criminal activity. Despite these monthly variations, the overall trend points towards a notable reduction in crime. This decreasing trend is encouraging for residents, suggesting that existing prevention strategies may be effective, but continued awareness is always beneficial.

Time Patterns of Crime in Southbourne

Crime in Southbourne exhibits distinct temporal patterns throughout the day. Morning hours (6am-12pm) are characterised by a significant proportion of other crimes (60%) and vehicle crime (22%), with some theft (18%). As the day progresses into the afternoon (12pm-6pm), other crimes remain high at 67%, with theft at 24%, and vehicle crime at 9%. The evening period (6pm-12am) sees other crimes dominating at 77%, while theft drops to 6%. Vehicle crime maintains a presence at 17%. During the night (12am-6am), other crimes remain high at 54%, with vehicle crime peaking at 43% and theft at 3%, indicating a focus on unattended properties. Notably, burglary is absent across all periods. These patterns suggest that different types of criminal activity are more prevalent at specific times, which can inform targeted prevention efforts.

Crime Comparisons with Nearby Areas

To provide regional context, it is useful to compare Southbourne's crime statistics with those of neighbouring settlements such as Hambrook and Nutbourne, Westbourne, Hambrook (Chichester), and Emsworth. With an overall crime rate of 51.9 per 1,000 residents and a safety score of 88/100, Southbourne stands out as a safer area compared to the UK average. Understanding how Southbourne compares to these nearby communities helps residents and prospective movers gauge the relative safety and crime landscape within the local region. While each area has its unique characteristics, these comparisons offer valuable insights into regional crime patterns and Southbourne's favourable position.

Protecting Your Property in Southbourne

Southbourne's property crime rate of 15.4 per 1,000 residents, significantly below the UK average, indicates a highly secure environment. While the risk is low, proactive home security remains a wise investment. Traditional security cameras typically provide footage after a crime has occurred, offering reactive evidence rather than prevention. For true peace of mind, consider moving towards advanced security solutions.

AI-powered home security operating systems like scOS are designed to prevent crime before it happens by detecting threats at your property's boundary. Unlike systems that merely notify you after an intruder is inside, scOS uses multi-camera intelligence to monitor all areas simultaneously, learning routines to differentiate between familiar individuals and potential threats. Features such as autonomous responses, which include activating lights and engaging speakers, actively deter criminals. This professional-grade deterrence aims to make burglars decide to move on within their critical 60-second window, offering peace of mind by preventing incidents rather than just recording them.