Brighton and Hove Crime Rate February 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Brighton and Hove’s crime rate in February 2025 reached 9.1 per 1,000 residents, placing the area 35.8% above the UK average of 6.7 per 1,000. This figure, while elevated, reflects the city’s character as a coastal urban centre with a dense population, active nightlife, and a significant tourist economy. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 30.2% of all crimes, making them the most prevalent category, followed closely by shoplifting (15.6%) and anti-social behaviour (14.1%). The high rate of shoplifting is consistent with the city’s retail presence and tourist activity, which may contribute to the 126% gap compared to the UK average for this category. Anti-social behaviour and public order offences also remained high, with the former 34% above the UK average and the latter 82% above. These trends may be influenced by the area’s compact urban layout and the concentration of nightlife venues, which often see increased incidents during winter months. The seasonal context of February—as a low point in outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull—may have contributed to the relatively lower overall crime rate compared to the previous month. The city’s crime profile suggests a combination of local demographics, economic factors, and policing strategies, all of which require ongoing analysis to inform targeted interventions.

The most significant month-on-month decrease occurred in theft from the person, which fell by 48% (from 25 to 13 incidents). This decline may partly explain the overall reduction in the city’s crime rate and could reflect improved security measures in high-traffic areas such as the city centre and train stations. Conversely, vehicle crime rose by 26.5%, with 86 incidents reported in February compared to 68 in January. This increase, though modest, is consistent with the city’s heavy reliance on public transport and the presence of commuter parking zones. Shoplifting remained the second most common crime, accounting for 15.6% of all incidents, and continues to be 126% above the UK average. This stark discrepancy underscores the impact of Brighton and Hove’s retail and tourist economy on local crime patterns. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour and public order offences, which together account for 22.3% of all crimes, remained 34% and 82% above the UK average respectively, highlighting ongoing challenges in managing public spaces during winter months.

Brighton and Hove's crime rate in February 2025 stood at 9.1 per 1,000 residents, marking a 5.6% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 9.6. This decline aligns with the typical seasonal lull observed in winter months, when outdoor activity diminishes and tourism slows. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 92 crimes per day, a figure that reflects the city’s dense population and active nightlife. Over the course of February, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 110 residents, a monthly aggregate that contextualises the frequency of incidents within the local population. When compared to the UK average, Brighton and Hove’s crime rate remains higher, but the month-on-month reduction suggests a potential stabilisation in crime trends. This figure, however, does not account for variations in policing strategies or demographic factors unique to the area. The population context further illustrates that while the rate is elevated, the absolute number of crimes is distributed across a large urban population, which may influence perceptions of safety differently than in smaller communities.