Chichester Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Chichester's December 2023 crime profile was defined by a clear dominance of property crimes over violent offences, a pattern consistent with the town's character as a coastal resort with a strong retail and tourist presence. With 261 property crimes recorded—accounting for 41.5% of all incidents—this category significantly outpaced the 210 violent crimes (33.4%) reported, a disparity that may reflect the influence of seasonal factors such as Christmas shopping and the increased presence of transient populations in the area. The overall crime rate of 4.9 per 1,000 residents places Chichester 31.9% below the UK average of 7.2, a position that aligns with the town's relatively low levels of violent crime and the effectiveness of local policing strategies in mitigating property-related incidents. Violence and sexual offences, while still the largest single category, remained 39% below the UK average, suggesting that the town's demographic profile—characterised by a mix of older residents and seasonal visitors—may contribute to lower levels of interpersonal crime. The seasonal context of December, with its long evenings and holiday-related activity, may have influenced the distribution of crime types, with shoplifting and public order offences likely exacerbated by the combination of festive shopping and reduced visibility during darker hours. However, the sharp increase in theft from the person—200% higher than November—indicates a need for targeted interventions in high-risk areas, particularly during peak shopping periods.

December 2023 saw a 53.3% decrease in burglary cases, from 60 to 28, marking one of the most significant monthly drops in recent records. This decline may be linked to seasonal factors such as reduced foot traffic in retail areas during the holiday period or heightened community awareness initiatives. Conversely, theft from the person increased by 200%, rising from 2 to 6 incidents, a stark contrast that suggests potential vulnerabilities in specific locations or times, such as crowded shopping areas or public transport hubs. Violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 33.4% of all crimes, remained 39% below the UK average, indicating that Chichester's violent crime profile is lower than the national context. The sharp rise in drug-related offences—60% higher than November—raises questions about local enforcement priorities or shifts in community dynamics, though the exact drivers remain unclear without further data. These contrasting trends highlight the combination of seasonal patterns and localised factors in shaping crime outcomes.

Chichester's December 2023 crime rate of 4.9 per 1,000 residents represents a 15.6% decrease from the previous month's rate of 5.8, reflecting a continued downward trend. Over the course of December, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 205 residents, a figure that contextualises the monthly exposure in terms of population density. With 20 crimes reported daily on average, the localised figure provides a tangible sense of the frequency of incidents within the district. This rate remains 31.9% below the UK average, highlighting Chichester's relative safety compared to the national context. The population-scaled perspective reveals that the likelihood of experiencing a crime in Chichester is significantly lower than the UK average, which may be influenced by the town's character as a coastal resort with a mix of residential and commercial areas. The reduction in burglary rates by 53.3% compared to November further underscores the effectiveness of local measures in addressing property crime, although the sharp increase in theft from the person by 200% deserves closer attention to specific hotspots or patterns.