POLICE were called to more than 400 reports of crime in just 0.1 of a mile in one of Bournemouth town centre’s busiest streets.

The offences, which run the gamut from anti-social behaviour to sexual offences and arson, were reported in the stretch of Old Christchurch Road between the shared space and the junction for Glen Fern Road.

The road is home to a number of clubs, takeaways and bars, including Walkabout, Camel and Subway.

More than one crime was reported every day, on average, between January and November last year.

Figures for December are not yet available.

  • January: 31
  • February: 42
  • March: 51
  • April: 46
  • May: 39
  • June: 31
  • July: 36
  • August: 39
  • September: 41
  • October: 31
  • November: 30

In December, a man suffered facial fractures after he was attacked in Horseshoe Common.

The victim, a Poole man in his 30s, had been sitting on a bench when three men walked up to him. One of the men then punched and kicked the victim a number of times before making off from the scene in a car.

The victim suffered fractures to his eye socket and cheekbone. He was taken to hospital for treatment.

The previous month, a man was left with a serious head injury following an altercation outside the Revolution Bournemouth bar in Old Christchurch Road.

The victim, a 28-year-old man, had gone to intervene during the altercation when he was punched in the head.

Bournemouth town centre councillor Robert Chapman said he would like to see even more police patrols in the area due to the level of violent crime.

“It’s been the case for many years that there is a problem with crime in Old Christchurch Road,” he said.

“The area does need more patrols. At nighttime, especially, there are issues with too much drinking and noise and it disturbs the people living in flats above.”