Chichester Crime Rate August 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Chichester’s crime rate of 6.7 per 1,000 residents in August 2024 places it 18.3% below the UK average of 8.2, marking one of the most significant gaps between a local authority and national figures. This performance contrasts with the UK-wide trend, where violent crime typically constitutes around 26% of total crimes, yet in Chichester, violence and sexual offences made up 30.2% of the 867 reported incidents. Anti-social behaviour followed closely at 21.3%, and public order offences accounted for 9.3%. The seasonal context of August—a peak holiday month—likely influences these patterns, as increased tourism and temporary population shifts may contribute to higher rates of public order issues and anti-social behaviour. Despite this, Chichester’s overall safety profile remains better than the national average, with property crimes (306) and violent crimes (262) both falling below UK benchmarks. The city’s lower rates of vehicle crime (33% below UK average) and burglary (38% below) may reflect its compact urban layout and lower density compared to larger metropolitan areas, where vehicle theft and break-ins are more common. However, the 15% deficit in shoplifting rates compared to the UK suggests that Chichester’s retail sector, while active, may not face the same level of opportunistic theft as in more densely populated or tourist-heavy regions. These figures illustrate a city with a relatively stable crime environment, though the seasonal context of August introduces variables that could shift patterns in future months.

August 2024 saw a dramatic 700% increase in robbery incidents, rising from 1 to 8, a stark anomaly in otherwise stable crime trends. This jump, though small in absolute terms, may signal a localized spike in targeted attacks, possibly linked to increased foot traffic during the summer months. Conversely, vehicle crime fell by 38.9% (from 72 to 44), a decline that aligns with Chichester’s historically low vehicle theft rates and its relatively low population density. The 47.4% drop in drug-related offences, from 19 to 10, suggests a possible reduction in illicit activity. Possession of weapons rose by 50% (from 6 to 9), a 43% increase above the UK average. This category’s elevation, while modest, warrants attention given its potential link to public safety concerns. Meanwhile, public order offences increased by 19.1% (from 68 to 81), a shift that may reflect the challenges of managing large crowds in the city’s historic core during peak tourist season. These fluctuations illustrate the dynamic nature of local crime patterns, where specific categories can deviate sharply from trends observed nationally or even within the same area in previous months.

Chichester’s crime rate of 6.7 per 1,000 residents in August 2024 represents an 8.9% decline from the previous month’s rate of 7.4, a downward trend that reinforces its position as a safer area relative to the UK average. Over the course of the month, the city recorded an average of 28 crimes per day, a figure that, when scaled to its population of 128,934, equates to one reported crime for every 149 residents. This monthly exposure rate is lower than the UK average, which typically sees one crime for every 100 residents. The city’s performance is also reflected in its population-scaled context: violent crime rates (2.0 per 1,000) and anti-social behaviour (1.4 per 1,000) both remain below national benchmarks, suggesting a community with a lower incidence of severe crime compared to other parts of the country. However, the 15% deficit in shoplifting rates compared to the UK average hints at a potential gap in retail security measures or a lower volume of retail activity. These metrics highlight Chichester’s ability to maintain a relatively low crime profile despite its role as a tourist destination, though the 700% rise in robbery and the 50% increase in weapon possession underscore the need for continued vigilance in specific areas.