Bournemouth vs Swanage — Crime Comparison 2026

Side-by-side crime statistics from official UK Police data.

Bournemouth

BH1 · Bournemouth

699

crimes in April 2026

Above national average

  • Anti-social behaviour229
  • Violence & sexual offences184
  • Criminal damage & arson57

Swanage

BH19 · Dorset

23

crimes in April 2026

Below national average

  • Violence & sexual offences16
  • Criminal damage & arson3
  • Anti-social behaviour2

Swanage has less crime — 23 vs 699 incidents in April 2026.

What the data shows

Bournemouth recorded substantially more crime than Swanage in April 2026 — 699 incidents compared to 23, a 30.4x difference. Bournemouth sits above the national average for recorded crime while Swanage is below — a significant gap for anyone weighing up the two.

Get a detailed crime report

Full reports cover 24 months of trends, ward breakdowns, outcome rates, and a detailed safety score — from £4.99.

Get the full Bournemouth report — £4.99 Get the full Swanage report — £4.99
View Bournemouth area page → View Swanage area page →

Frequently asked questions

Is Bournemouth or Swanage safer?

Based on April 2026 Police data, Swanage recorded fewer crimes than Bournemouth — 23 vs 699 incidents. That is 97% fewer crimes. Swanage is also below the national average for crime.

What are the main differences in crime between Bournemouth and Swanage?

In April 2026, Bournemouth's top crime category was Anti-social behaviour (229 incidents) while Swanage's was Violence & sexual offences (16 incidents). The full reports provide a 24-month breakdown across all categories.

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