REPORTS of crime across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole dropped in August despite a busy month of tourism. 

According to the latest figures from police.uk there were a total of 3,825 crimes reported across the conurbation in August - down from 4,097 in July. 

August had the lowest number of reported crime compared to July, June and May.

Reports of anti-social behaviour within the conurbation dropped significantly in Augusut to 1,132 - in July there were 1,298 incidents of anti-social behaviour reported to the police.  

The second most reported crime was violence and sexual offences with 1,112 - down from 1,231 in July.

Across the conurbation the third highest crime was criminal damage and arson which received 312 reports.

Vehicle crime (240), other theft (283) and public order (204) offences all received similar rates of reports throughout July in the BCP council area.

The lowest reported crimes were theft from a person (24), robbery (30) and other crime (17).

Chief Superintendent Mark Callaghan, BCP Local Policing Area Commander, said: “This summer, a number of key operations and campaigns were launched in the county in a bid to keep residents and visitors safe. The operations were focused on early intervention and prevention.

“This included Operation Relentless, the Force’s drive to reduce anti-social behaviour (ASB). The operation aimed to remind residents and visitors that Dorset Police takes a tough approach to ASB and it sent a very clear message to those involved that it simply will not be tolerated in the county.

“The decrease in reports of ASB can also be attributed to the fact that previously some COVID-related incidents would have been recorded as anti-social behaviour.

“Officers carried out proactive patrols across the town throughout the month of August as part of Operation Relentless.

This crime map shows you every offence reported to Dorset Police across the conurbation in August.

Scroll through the map or search for a postcode to see crime rates on every road in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole: 

Bournemouth saw a total of 2,257 reports, Christchurch received 336 and Poole had 1,232 crimes reported in August 2021.

Chief Superintendent Mark Callaghan said: “A targeted drink and drug drive campaign also ran for six weeks in July and August to coincide with the full unlocking of the hospitality industry.

“Serious violence and sexual offences remain a priority for the Force and this summer saw the launch of Operation Vigilant in Bournemouth town centre. Operation Vigilant is proactive policing based on the use of both covert plain clothed officers and high-visibility patrols during the night-time economy to spot and intervene in instances of aggressive, predatory and intrusive sexual behaviour.

“As we move into the autumn and winter, I would like to reassure our communities that our focus on driving down anti-social behaviour, drug misuse, violent crime and serious sexual offences continues and our officers will remain out there in our communities to ensure the public are safe and feel safe.”