Chichester Crime Rate August 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Chichester's crime rate in August 2025 stood at 12.5 per 1,000 residents, placing it 54.3% above the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. This stark divergence highlights the area's distinct criminal profile, shaped by its status as a historic town with a mix of tourist attractions and residential communities. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 27.6% of all crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour at 25.5%, and shoplifting at 12.0%. These figures suggest a pattern where public spaces, particularly those frequented by tourists and residents alike, become focal points for criminal activity. The seasonal context of August — a peak holiday month — likely contributes to this trend, with increased foot traffic in historic areas potentially driving shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. Meanwhile, the rate of violence and sexual offences, 22% above the UK average, may reflect the challenges of managing public safety in a town with a vibrant nightlife and cultural events. The high rate of anti-social behaviour, 119% above the national average, could be linked to the social dynamics of a built-up area where commercial and residential zones intersect. This data underscores the need for targeted interventions in high-risk zones, particularly during the summer months when tourism and local activity converge.

August 2025 witnessed a 250% increase in possession of weapons, rising from 2 to 7 incidents. This spike, while not uncommon in urban centres, may reflect heightened tensions during the summer months. Bicycle theft also surged by 72.7%, with 19 reported cases — a rate 757% above the UK average, likely driven by the influx of tourists and the town's historic charm attracting cyclists. Conversely, drugs-related crimes fell by 66.7%, dropping from 15 to 5, possibly due to seasonal changes in illicit activity patterns. Theft from the person, typically a concern in tourist-heavy areas, decreased by 66.7% to just one reported incident, suggesting effective policing in high-traffic zones. The mix of crimes shows a shift towards property-related offences (36.4% of total) compared to violent crimes (27.6%), indicating a combination of seasonal tourism and local criminal activity.

Chichester's crime rate in August 2025 stood at 12.5 per 1,000 residents, a 10.0% decrease from the previous month's rate of 13.9 per 1,000. This decline suggests a potential stabilization in crime trends, though the overall rate remains significantly higher than the UK average. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 14 crimes per day in August, a figure that reflects the persistent presence of criminal activity in a built-up urban environment. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 80 residents, highlighting the frequency of incidents within the local population. This monthly exposure rate, while concerning, is contextualized by Chichester's demographic profile as a historically significant town with a mix of residential and commercial zones. The population of 33,823 further underscores the need for targeted policing strategies, particularly in areas where crime rates deviate sharply from national benchmarks.