Side-by-side crime statistics from official UK Police data.
GU17 · Hampshire
41
crimes in February 2026
Below national average
BH5 · Bournemouth
274
crimes in February 2026
Above national average
Blackwater and Hawley has less crime — 41 vs 274 incidents in February 2026.
Bournemouth recorded substantially more crime than Blackwater and Hawley in February 2026 — 274 incidents compared to 41, a 6.7x difference. Both areas share Violence & sexual offences as their most common crime type, though Bournemouth records significantly more (101 vs 19 incidents). Blackwater and Hawley is below the national average while Bournemouth is above, making Blackwater and Hawley the safer choice on this measure.
Full reports cover 24 months of trends, ward breakdowns, outcome rates, and a detailed safety score — from £4.99.
Based on February 2026 Police data, Blackwater and Hawley recorded fewer crimes than Bournemouth — 41 vs 274 incidents. That is 85% fewer crimes. Blackwater and Hawley is also below the national average for crime.
Both areas share Violence & sexual offences as their top crime category. In February 2026, Blackwater and Hawley recorded 19 incidents of this type vs 101 in Bournemouth. Overall, Blackwater and Hawley had fewer total crimes (41 vs 274).