Chichester Crime Rate September 2023 | Monthly Statistics

The crime profile in Chichester during September 2023 reveals a combination of factors shaping the local landscape. With a crime rate of 10.7 per 1,000 residents, Chichester's overall rate is 33.7% above the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000, a disparity that suggests unique local challenges. The breakdown of crime types highlights a significant emphasis on violent and sexual offences, which accounted for 32% of all reported crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (13.8%) and public order offences (12.7%). This mix of crime types points to a community grappling with issues that extend beyond traditional property crimes, indicating a need for targeted strategies to address interpersonal conflicts and public disorder. The seasonal context of September—marking the start of the academic year and the return of university students—likely contributes to the elevated levels of violence and anti-social behaviour, as increased foot traffic and social activity in town centres and residential areas may exacerbate tensions. Additionally, the high rate of public order offences (1.4 per 1,000) compared to the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000 underscores the need for community engagement initiatives to foster safer public spaces. The presence of shoplifting at 1.2 per 1,000, above the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000, further illustrates the influence of retail environments on local crime patterns, potentially linked to the town's commercial hubs and the seasonal influx of students and tourists. This balance of crime types, while concerning, also highlights opportunities for intervention, such as enhanced policing during peak times, community programmes to address anti-social behaviour, and collaboration with local businesses to mitigate shoplifting. The data, while revealing a challenging picture, also provides a roadmap for tailored approaches to improve public safety in Chichester.

September 2023 saw a 300% increase in possession of weapons, rising from 1 to 4 incidents, a figure that may reflect heightened tensions during the back-to-school period. Bicycle theft also surged by 87.5%, with 15 incidents reported compared to 8 in August, potentially linked to university students returning and increased cycling activity. Conversely, shoplifting decreased by 43.7%, from 71 to 40 cases, due to seasonal retail strategies or targeted policing. Violence and sexual offences remained high, at 3.4 per 1,000 compared to the UK average of 2.7 per 1,000, a 24% gap that highlights local challenges in addressing public safety. Anti-social behaviour and public order offences were also significantly above UK averages, with public order crimes at 1.4 per 1,000 compared to the UK's 0.6 per 1,000, suggesting a need for community-focused interventions in high-traffic areas.

Chichester's crime rate in September 2023 (10.7 per 1,000 residents) marked a 5.2% decrease from August's 11.3 per 1,000, reflecting a slight downward trend. Daily crime activity averaged 12 incidents per day, a figure that contextualises the pace of reported crime within the built-up area. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 93 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the frequency of incidents in a population of 33,823. This rate, while higher than the UK average, shows a marginal decline from the prior month, suggesting potential stabilisation in local policing efforts or seasonal factors influencing crime patterns. The population-scaled perspective highlights that while Chichester remains above the UK average, the absolute number of crimes reported is manageable in a town of its size, with community engagement likely playing a role in mitigating escalations.