Chichester Crime Rate May 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 128,934, Chichester recorded 731 crimes in May 2023, translating to 5.7 crimes per 1,000 residents. This rate is 28.7% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000, reflecting a consistently lower crime profile compared to national trends. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (33.4% of total), anti-social behaviour (17.5%), and shoplifting (9.9%). The seasonal shift in May—marked by longer evenings and bank holidays—may partly explain patterns in violent and anti-social crimes, which often correlate with increased outdoor socialising and alcohol consumption. Violence and sexual offences in Chichester (1.9 per 1,000) are 32% below the UK average, suggesting effective community policing or lower risk factors in this area. However, shoplifting rates (0.6 per 1,000) are 22% above the UK average, potentially linked to the district’s retail and tourist activity. The balance between property and violent crime leans heavily towards violence, with 33.4% of crimes falling into this category, compared to 22.8% for property crimes. This mix may reflect the area’s character as a historic coastal town with a mix of residential and commercial zones.

May 2023 saw sharp increases in anti-social behaviour (+70.7%), criminal damage and arson (+12.1%), and shoplifting (+12.5%) compared to April, while crimes such as drug offences fell by 73.3% and burglary dropped by 47.3%. The rise in anti-social behaviour may be connected to May’s bank holidays and extended daylight hours, which can drive outdoor drinking and socialising. Shoplifting’s 22% above-UK-average rate (0.6 per 1,000) contrasts with the 33% below-UK-average rate for vehicle crime (0.3 per 1,000), indicating a complex relationship between local retail density and vehicle-related offences. Violence and sexual offences (1.9 per 1,000) remain below the UK average (2.8 per 1,000), with a 32% gap that may reflect Chichester’s lower population density or strong community engagement. A resident would note that burglary rates (0.2 per 1,000) are 35% below the UK average, suggesting effective home security measures or a lower risk environment in this district.

Chichester’s crime rate in May 2023 (5.7 per 1,000) was stable compared to April’s 5.8 per 1,000, showing a -1.7% monthly decline. This translates to roughly 24 crimes per day across the district, with 1 reported crime occurring for every 176 residents over the month. When scaled to the local population, this suggests a relatively safe environment. gap between Chichester’s rate and the UK average highlights systemic differences. The daily crime figure of 24 per day is lower than many larger urban areas, aligning with Chichester’s character as a mid-sized coastal town with a focus on tourism and heritage rather than high-density housing. The 1-in-176 resident monthly exposure rate is comparable to other areas with similar population structures but lower crime rates. This context helps residents understand that while crime is present, it remains proportionally low for the size and economic profile of the district.