Bournemouth Sees Slight Decline in Bicycle Theft

Bicycle theft in Bournemouth has fallen over the past year, according to new crime figures, but the town still records a higher rate than the national average.

Data covering October 2024 to September 2025 shows 537 reported bicycle thefts across the Bournemouth postcode area, a 10.6% decrease year-on-year, according to PlumPlot.

Despite the drop, Bournemouth’s bicycle theft rate remains 111% of the national average, based on annual crimes per 1,000 people.

Bournemouth records 1 theft per 1,000 residents, compared with the England and Wales average of 0.9 per 1,000.

Bike thefts now account for 1.2% of all crimes in the area, slightly above the national figure of 0.9%.

 

 

The numbers indicate that bicycle theft continues to be a persistent issue locally, even if gradually improving.

The fall in offences follows a broader national trend, as bike theft across England and Wales declined by 13.4% over the same period.

Bournemouth’s reduction has therefore been slightly slower than the national pace.

The total of 537 incidents still represents one of the highest volumes of bike theft in the region, suggesting that busy commuter zones and student-heavy neighbourhoods remain key risk locations.

While the dataset does not break down thefts by ward, the consistently elevated crime rate implies that certain areas continue to experience concentrated activity.

The marginal improvement may be linked to increased awareness campaigns, better cycle-locking facilities, or changes in commuting patterns, although the dataset does not confirm causes.

However, the persistently higher-than-average rate shows that challenges remain in reducing theft levels to match other towns of similar size.

Bicycle theft’s overall share of local crime remains small, but its impact is often significant for victims, with stolen bikes rarely recovered.

As Bournemouth continues encouraging cycling through active travel schemes, the figures highlight the importance of maintaining secure parking and preventative measures across the borough.