Brighton and Hove Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Brighton and Hove's January 2026 crime rate of 8.9 per 1,000 residents places the city 30.9% above the UK average of 6.8, a disparity that reflects the area's unique socio-economic dynamics. As a coastal city with a vibrant tourism sector and a significant student population, Brighton is naturally prone to higher levels of certain crimes, such as anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. The most striking outlier in the data is anti-social behaviour, which occurred at 1.4 per 1,000 residents—51% above the UK average. This category includes disturbances that often escalate in densely populated areas with high transient populations, such as the city's nightlife districts. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 30.7% of all reported crimes, with 776 incidents recorded, a figure that is 8% above the UK average. The seasonal context of January—a post-holiday period with reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours—may have contributed to the persistence of certain crime types, though the sharp rise in 'other crime' remains unexplained. The city's crime profile also highlights a stark contrast between property crimes (36.5%) and violent crimes (30.7%), with shoplifting (128% above UK average) and anti-social behaviour driving the property crime category. These trends align with Brighton's character as a city where commercial activity and cultural events coexist with challenges in managing public order.

January 2026 saw a striking 143.3% increase in 'other crime' incidents, rising from 30 to 73, a category that includes a broad range of non-specific offences. This surge contrasts with a 34.6% decline in bicycle theft, which fell from 26 to 17, potentially reflecting seasonal factors such as reduced outdoor activity during shorter daylight hours. Vehicle crime also rose sharply by 67.7%, with 52 incidents reported compared to 31 in December, a trend consistent with increased car usage during the post-holiday period. Anti-social behaviour remained elevated, at 1.4 per 1,000 residents—51% above the UK average—and was the second-highest category after violence and sexual offences. For residents, the sharp rise in 'other crime' may signal an emerging pattern requiring further investigation, though the exact nature of these incidents remains undefined in the data.

Brighton and Hove's crime rate in January 2026 rose 4.3% from the previous month's 8.5 per 1,000 to 8.9 per 1,000, reflecting a sustained upward trend. Daily crime figures reveal 81 reported incidents per day, a rate that, while localised, underscores the frequency of criminal activity in a city with a population of 283,870. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 112 residents, a measure that contextualises the scale of exposure for local communities. This monthly exposure figure is particularly noteworthy when compared to the city's character as a major coastal tourist destination and cultural hub, where high foot traffic and transient populations may contribute to persistent crime pressures. The population-scaled perspective also highlights the need for targeted policing strategies in areas with concentrated crime hotspots, such as the city centre and nightlife districts.