Crime Rate in Bearwood & Merley: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Bearwood & Merley

The total recorded crimes in Bearwood & Merley, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, UK in May 2025 are around 70 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Bearwood & Merley crime rate of 3.99 per 1,000 population.

It's important to note that this crime data is based on the Geographic Boundry data provided by the ONS around Bearwood & Merley, encompassing approximately 17,523 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during May were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (34) incidents (54.55% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (10) incidents (-28.57% decrease)
  • Shoplifting: (7) incidents (-66.67% decrease)
Bearwood & Merley Crime Hotspots

The surrounding areas of below locations have emerged as crime hotspots,

  • King John Close with total crimes: 7
  • Paddington Close with total crimes: 4
  • St Georges Drive with total crimes: 4

How safe is Bearwood & Merley?

To understand the safety of Bearwood & Merley, we need to analyze Bearwood & Merley crime statistics in relation to regional averages. Lets examine the available data and provide a balanced assessment.

  • Relative to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole:

    • In 2024, Bearwood & Merley demonstrated a lower crime volume than the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole average, with 1019 crimes compared to 1353.0. This suggests a relatively safer position within the region for the year. Additionally, Bearwood & Merley recorded fewer crimes than 17 out of 32 other areas in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

    • In 2023, Bearwood & Merley had fewer crimes than the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole average, with 837 crimes compared to 1,190. This reflects a relatively lower crime rate for the area within the region that year. Additionally, Bearwood & Merley recorded fewer crimes than 18 out of 32 other areas in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

  • Overall Assessment:

    • Compared to other areas in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, Bearwood & Merley has a lower crime rate and is considered safer in 2024.

    • The trend in crime rates suggests Negative changes in overall safety.

Bearwood & Merley Crime Statstics

In May 2025 the Bearwood & Merley has recorded 70 crimes with crime rate of 3.99 ranking 18th out of 32 in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, UK

In 2024, the total Bearwood & Merley crimes were 1,019. The crime rate of Bearwood & Merley in 2024 was 58.15 (year) or 4.85 (month) ranking it 18 dangerous area in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

In 2023, the total crimes in Bearwood & Merley were around 837 crimes with yearly crime rate of 47.76 (year) or 3.98 (month) ranking 19 most dangerous area in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

AreaMay 202520242023
CrimesRank (Bearwood & Merley)CrimesRank (Bearwood & Merley)CrimesRank (Bearwood & Merley)
Bournemouth Central548 16,661 14,127 1
Poole Town192 22,836 22,728 2
East Cliff & Springbourne176 52,700 32,618 3
Westbourne & West Cliff190 32,095 71,744 7
Boscombe West182 42,541 42,251 4
Kinson152 72,139 51,939 5
Newtown & Heatherlands118 112,111 61,919 6
Muscliff & Strouden Park168 61,540 101,465 8
Alderney & Bourne Valley137 91,736 81,402 10
Winton East150 81,698 91,406 9
Canford Cliffs122 101,084 151,119 14
Talbot & Branksome Woods75 161,279 121,312 11
Hamworthy104 121,351 111,229 12
Canford Heath94 131,024 171,128 13
Wallisdown & Winton West78 151,168 131,069 15
Christchurch Town64 191,099 14914 18
Boscombe East & Pokesdown80 141,037 16932 17
Burton & Grange61 21919 19939 16
Parkstone70 17891 21761 21
Littledown & Iford54 25884 22827 20
Queen's Park59 22900 20755 22
West Southbourne63 20579 27604 27
Penn Hill58 24746 23703 23
Commons58 23635 25540 28
Moordown52 26553 28689 24
Creekmoor51 27651 24686 25
Oakdale33 31608 26639 26
East Southbourne & Tuckton43 28540 29524 29
Redhill & Northbourne42 29518 30429 30
Mudeford, Stanpit & West Highcliffe40 30422 31395 31
Highcliffe & Walkford24 33341 33349 32
Broadstone30 32359 32305 33

Bearwood & Merley Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (34 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (10 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (22 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Shoplifting (21 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (17 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (16 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 20 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 20 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (23 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (19 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 27 incidents, and Other theft was another prevalent crime category with 11 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (10 reports) and Other theft incidents were also notably high (9 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (23 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (10 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (16 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Shoplifting (15 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (33 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (21 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 30 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 12 incidents.

During June 2024, The highest incident rate was for Anti-social behaviour (56 reports) and Violence and sexual offences incidents were also notably high (56 cases).

In May 2024, Anti-social behaviour dominated crime reports (29 incidents), followed by Violence and sexual offences also remained a significant concern (24 incidents).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 335 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 25.77 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 56 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202534
April 202522
March 202517
February 202520
January 202523
December 202427
November 202410
October 202423
September 202416
August 202433
July 202430
June 202456
May 202424

A total of 215 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 16.54 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 56 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202510
April 202514
March 202516
February 202511
January 20257
December 202411
November 20248
October 202410
September 202410
August 202421
July 202412
June 202456
May 202429

A total of 67 Burglary incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 5.58 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 18 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20255
April 20259
March 20254
January 20251
December 20243
November 20245
October 20244
September 20245
August 20243
July 20248
June 202418
May 20242

A total of 98 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 7.54 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 12 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20254
April 20256
March 202510
February 20256
January 20255
December 202410
November 20245
October 20248
September 202410
August 20248
July 20245
June 202412
May 20249

A total of 47 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 3.92 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 7 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20253
March 20252
February 20252
January 20253
December 20242
November 20247
October 20242
September 20244
August 20247
July 20246
June 20244
May 20245

A total of 78 Other theft incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 6.00 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 12 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20256
April 20255
March 20254
February 20254
January 20252
December 202411
November 20249
October 20247
September 20247
August 20246
July 20241
June 202412
May 20244

A total of 10 Drugs incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 1.25 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20251
December 20241
November 20241
October 20241
September 20242
August 20241
July 20241
May 20242

A total of 156 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 12.00 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 21 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20257
April 202521
March 202513
February 202520
January 202519
December 20249
November 20247
October 20248
September 202415
August 202411
July 202412
June 20246
May 20248

A total of 49 Public order incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 4.08 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 8 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 20252
March 20253
February 20255
January 20251
December 20245
November 20244
October 20245
September 20244
August 20242
July 20242
June 20248
May 20248

A total of 6 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 1.50 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 20251
September 20241
August 20242
June 20242

A total of 8 Other crime incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 1.60 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 20251
November 20242
October 20242
August 20241
June 20242

A total of 5 Robbery incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 1.00 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 1 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 20251
March 20251
January 20251
November 20241
October 20241

A total of 6 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 1.50 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20252
February 20251
September 20241
May 20242

A total of 4 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 1.33 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
December 20242
November 20241
May 20241

High Crime Locations Bearwood & Merley in May 2025

A detailed breakdown of crime incidents by location within the Bearwood & Merley postcode area is presented below.

1. King John Close (Map)
Total7
Shoplifting3
Violence and sexual offences2
Anti-social behaviour1
Drugs1
2. Paddington Close (Map)
Total4
Violence and sexual offences2
Criminal damage and arson1
Other theft1
3. St Georges Drive (Map)
Total4
Violence and sexual offences3
Other theft1
4. Oakley Hill (Map)
Total3
Anti-social behaviour2
Violence and sexual offences1
5. Shopping Area (Map)
Total3
Shoplifting3
6. Shopping Area (Map)
Total3
Burglary1
Vehicle crime1
Violence and sexual offences1
7. Petrol Station (Map)
Total3
Anti-social behaviour2
Violence and sexual offences1
8. Harrier Drive (Map)
Total2
Burglary2
9. Selkirk Close (Map)
Total2
Violence and sexual offences2
10. Autumn Road (Map)
Total2
Vehicle crime1
Violence and sexual offences1

  • Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2021. This data is licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
  • Contains Office for National Statistics data licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0
  • Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.