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 July 2025 are around 83 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Bearwood & Merley crime rate of 4.74 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 Jul were:

  • Shoplifting: (26) incidents (-29.73% decrease)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (20) incidents (17.65% increase)
  • Violence and sexual offences: (15) incidents (-37.50% decrease)
Bearwood & Merley Crime Hotspots

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

  • King John Close with total crimes: 13
  • Shopping Area with total crimes: 9
  • Shopping Area with total crimes: 7

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 July 2025 the Bearwood & Merley has recorded 83 crimes with crime rate of 4.74 ranking 19th 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.

AreaJuly 202520242023
CrimesRank (Bearwood & Merley)CrimesRank (Bearwood & Merley)CrimesRank (Bearwood & Merley)
Bournemouth Central595 16,661 14,127 1
Poole Town223 22,836 22,728 2
East Cliff & Springbourne181 52,700 32,618 3
Boscombe West203 32,541 42,251 4
Westbourne & West Cliff189 42,095 71,744 7
Kinson144 102,139 51,939 5
Newtown & Heatherlands153 82,111 61,919 6
Muscliff & Strouden Park178 61,540 101,465 8
Winton East157 71,698 91,406 9
Alderney & Bourne Valley130 121,736 81,402 10
Canford Cliffs145 91,084 151,119 14
Talbot & Branksome Woods132 111,279 121,312 11
Hamworthy105 141,351 111,229 12
Canford Heath107 131,024 171,128 13
Wallisdown & Winton West98 161,168 131,069 15
Christchurch Town98 171,099 14914 18
Queen's Park99 15900 20755 22
Burton & Grange61 26919 19939 16
Boscombe East & Pokesdown89 181,037 16932 17
Littledown & Iford70 21884 22827 20
Parkstone76 20891 21761 21
Commons68 22635 25540 28
Penn Hill63 25746 23703 23
West Southbourne64 23579 27604 27
Moordown63 24553 28689 24
Creekmoor54 27651 24686 25
Oakdale40 30608 26639 26
Redhill & Northbourne53 28518 30429 30
East Southbourne & Tuckton31 32540 29524 29
Mudeford, Stanpit & West Highcliffe42 29422 31395 31
Broadstone33 31359 32305 33
Highcliffe & Walkford23 33341 33349 32

Bearwood & Merley Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

July 2025 crime data shows Shoplifting saw the largest number of reported crimes with 26 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 20 incidents.

During June 2025, The highest incident rate was for Shoplifting (37 reports) and Violence and sexual offences incidents were also notably high (24 cases).

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).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 86 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 7.17 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 10 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20259
June 20255
May 20254
April 20256
March 202510
February 20256
January 20255
December 202410
November 20245
October 20248
September 202410
August 20248

A total of 155 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 12.92 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 21 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202520
June 202517
May 202510
April 202514
March 202516
February 202511
January 20257
December 202411
November 20248
October 202410
September 202410
August 202421

A total of 5 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.25 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20251
April 20251
September 20241
August 20242

A total of 264 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 22.00 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 34 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202515
June 202524
May 202534
April 202522
March 202517
February 202520
January 202523
December 202427
November 202410
October 202423
September 202416
August 202433

A total of 34 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 3.09 incidents per month. February 2025 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 5 reported cases.

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

A total of 68 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 5.67 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 11 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20253
June 20254
May 20256
April 20255
March 20254
February 20254
January 20252
December 202411
November 20249
October 20247
September 20247
August 20246

A total of 193 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 16.08 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 37 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202526
June 202537
May 20257
April 202521
March 202513
February 202520
January 202519
December 20249
November 20247
October 20248
September 202415
August 202411

A total of 46 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 4.18 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 9 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20253
June 20254
May 20255
April 20259
March 20254
January 20251
December 20243
November 20245
October 20244
September 20245
August 20243

A total of 33 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 3.30 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 7 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20251
May 20253
March 20252
February 20252
January 20253
December 20242
November 20247
October 20242
September 20244
August 20247

A total of 8 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.60 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20252
June 20252
March 20252
February 20251
September 20241

A total of 7 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.17 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20252
April 20251
March 20251
January 20251
November 20241
October 20241

A total of 9 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.29 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
June 20252
May 20251
December 20241
November 20241
October 20241
September 20242
August 20241

A total of 6 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.50 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

A total of 3 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.50 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
December 20242
November 20241

High Crime Locations Bearwood & Merley in July 2025

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

1. King John Close (Map)
Total13
Shoplifting11
Criminal damage and arson2
2. Shopping Area (Map)
Total9
Shoplifting6
Robbery2
Violence and sexual offences1
3. Shopping Area (Map)
Total7
Shoplifting6
Anti-social behaviour1
4. Chichester Walk (Map)
Total4
Anti-social behaviour4
5. Selkirk Close (Map)
Total3
Violence and sexual offences3
6. Goldenleas Drive (Map)
Total3
Violence and sexual offences2
Criminal damage and arson1
7. Philippa Court (Map)
Total3
Anti-social behaviour3
8. Autumn Road (Map)
Total2
Criminal damage and arson1
Other theft1
9. Beaumaris Road (Map)
Total2
Anti-social behaviour1
Violence and sexual offences1
10. Marquis Way (Map)
Total2
Anti-social behaviour1
Criminal damage and arson1

  • 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.