Chichester Crime Rate

Chichester exhibits a higher crime rate than the UK average, standing at 151.4 incidents per 1,000 residents over the period of January 2025 to December 2025. This figure surpasses the national average of 91.6 per 1,000. While Chichester maintains a safety score of 69 out of 100, reflecting a degree of perceived safety, the increasing trend of 7.9% year-on-year warrants attention. The most prevalent crimes include violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour, and shoplifting, indicating a need for targeted preventative measures and community engagement. Understanding these trends and specific crime types is crucial for residents and visitors alike to assess and mitigate potential risks.

Chichester’s crime statistics reveal a concerning pattern of offences. Violence and sexual offences are the most prevalent, accounting for 27.5% of recorded crimes (1406 incidents). This is followed by anti-social behaviour (21.2%, 1086 crimes) and shoplifting (15.4%, 791 crimes). Public order offences represent 9.2% (471 crimes), while criminal damage and arson account for 7.3% (373 crimes). While burglary, vehicle crime and theft from the person are present, they represent a smaller proportion of the overall crime picture, indicating that violence and disruption are key concerns for residents. The higher rates compared to the UK average highlight the need for focused preventative measures and community engagement to address these specific crime types.

Crime in Chichester has been steadily increasing, with a 7.9% year-on-year rise. Monthly data from January 2025 to December 2025 reveals fluctuating levels of crime, with peaks observed in March (13.8 per 1,000) and October (14.3 per 1,000). While December shows a decrease to 10.8 per 1,000, the overall upward trend remains a cause for concern. The spike in March and October may correlate with seasonal factors or specific local events, warranting further investigation by law enforcement and community safety organizations.

How To Keep Safe in Chichester

Given the prevalence of violence and sexual offences, be particularly mindful of your surroundings, especially at night. Avoid walking alone in poorly lit areas and consider travelling with a friend or using a reputable taxi service. Shoplifting and anti-social behaviour are also common, so be aware of your belongings in public spaces and report any suspicious activity to the authorities. Secure your vehicle by parking in well-lit areas and ensuring windows and doors are locked. Finally, consider joining a local Neighbourhood Watch scheme to strengthen community vigilance and share safety information.

Crime patterns in Chichester demonstrate a varied distribution throughout the day. Burglaries are most likely to occur in the night (12am-6am), while theft is more common during commercial hours (9am-5pm). Vehicle crime shows a tendency to peak overnight (11pm-6am), and anti-social behaviour appears to be spread throughout the afternoon and evening. These trends suggest that different preventative measures may be needed depending on the time of day and the type of crime.

Comparing Chichester’s crime rate to its neighbours reveals varying levels of safety. Westhampnett has a higher crime rate at 167.3 per 1,000, while Shopwyke demonstrates a remarkably low rate of 0.0 per 1,000. Fishbourne (Chichester) reports a moderate rate of 50.9 per 1,000, and North Mundham has a significantly lower rate of 34.2 per 1,000. These comparisons highlight the localised nature of crime and the importance of understanding the specific factors influencing safety in Chichester itself.

Traditional CCTV systems offer a reactive approach – recording incidents after they’ve occurred. Reading crime statistics is one thing; actually preventing threats at your property line is another. scOS offers a proactive solution. Its multi-camera intelligence watches all cameras simultaneously, using AI to detect suspicious activity at the property boundary, not just recording footage of a burglary in progress. The DVLA vehicle verification feature instantly identifies fake plates, and pattern learning recognises your family and deliveries, minimising false alarms. The visible presence of scOS serves as a powerful deterrent – most burglars decide within 60 seconds, and the element of surprise is destroyed, often leading them to move on. If you’re serious about protecting your home in Chichester, consider the preventative power of a system like scOS.