Chichester Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Chichester’s crime profile in December 2024 reveals a shift in the balance between property and violent crime, with violent offences slightly outpacing property crimes for the first time this year. The overall crime rate of 5.1 per 1,000 residents places the area 28.2% below the UK average of 7.1, a consistent trend reflecting Chichester’s character as a historic market town with a relatively low-density population. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 32.6% of all crimes, marking the highest proportion in any category this year, while anti-social behaviour and criminal damage followed closely. This pattern may partly explain the area’s lower crime rate compared to the UK average, as Chichester’s compact urban core and limited nightlife infrastructure likely reduce opportunities for certain types of crime. Seasonal factors in December—such as extended dark evenings, Christmas shopping activity, and the temporary emptying of homes during holiday periods—may have influenced the distribution of crimes, with property crimes suppressed by reduced opportunities for burglary and vehicle theft. However, the rise in violent offences could reflect increased social interactions during festive events or shifts in policing priorities during the month.

December 2024 saw significant fluctuations in specific crime categories, with drugs-related offences surging by 72.7% (11 to 19) and public order violations rising by 51.5% (33 to 50), likely linked to the festive season’s increased social activity. Conversely, theft from the person plummeted by 55.6% (9 to 4), possibly due to heightened vigilance during holiday shopping or reduced opportunities in a town with fewer crowded public spaces. Chichester’s violent crime rate of 1.7 per 1,000 residents is 34% below the UK average for violence and sexual offences, a stark contrast to the 100% above UK average for possession of weapons (0.1 per 1,000). This anomaly suggests either a higher police presence in weapon-related cases or unique local dynamics affecting such offences. The property crime category, while lower than violent crimes this month, still lags behind the UK average for shoplifting (12% below) and burglary (35% below), reinforcing Chichester’s status as a relatively safe area for property security despite the seasonal spike in public order issues.

Chichester’s crime rate in December 2024 (5.1 per 1,000) marked an 11.1% decline from November’s 5.8 per 1,000, a trend that may reflect seasonal patterns or improved policing during the festive period. On a daily basis, the area experienced an average of 21 crimes per day, a figure that contextualises the monthly total of 660 crimes in a way that residents can relate to. Over the course of December, one crime was reported for roughly every 195 residents, a monthly exposure rate that remains significantly lower than the UK average. Considering Chichester’s population of 128,934, this statistic highlights the area’s relative safety compared to the UK as a whole. The decrease in burglary (36.1%) and bicycle theft (50.0%) suggests that targeted prevention measures or seasonal factors—such as reduced outdoor activity and the closure of certain businesses during the Christmas period—may have contributed to the decline. However, the rise in public order offences and drugs-related crimes underscores the need for ongoing community engagement strategies to address emerging challenges in the town’s social fabric.