Chichester Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Chichester's February 2024 crime rate of 5.6 per 1,000 residents marked a 21.1% reduction compared to the UK average of 7.1, reflecting a consistently safer environment than the national benchmark. The district's crime profile was dominated by violence and sexual offences (36.7% of all incidents), anti-social behaviour (14.2%), and shoplifting (9.9%), with the latter two categories showing significant gaps below UK averages. This pattern is consistent with Chichester's character as a coastal town with a mix of urban and rural areas, where community-focused policing and limited nightlife may contribute to lower rates of anti-social behaviour and property crime. The winter month of February typically sees reduced outdoor activity, which may partly explain the lower-than-average rates for violent crimes and anti-social behaviour. However, the 11% above UK average for shoplifting suggests ongoing challenges in retail areas, linked to the town's tourism sector and high foot traffic in commercial zones. The balance between property crimes (35.5%) and violent crimes (36.7%) indicates a relatively even distribution of criminal activity, with no single category dominating the overall picture. This equilibrium may reflect the district's diverse economic base, including a mix of historic industries, modern services, and tourism-related enterprises. Seasonal factors also appear to influence crime patterns, with the pre-spring lull in February likely contributing to lower rates of violent and anti-social offences compared to busier summer months.

February 2024 saw notable decreases in several crime categories, with vehicle crime falling by 38.6% (44 → 27) — the most significant single-month reduction in the district. Drug-related offences also declined sharply, dropping by 45.5% (22 → 12), a trend that may reflect seasonal factors or targeted enforcement efforts. Theft from the person fell by 40% (5 → 3), though this remains a relatively minor category. Conversely, public order offences rose by 25.5% (55 → 69), likely influenced by the pre-spring lull in outdoor activity and increased social gatherings during the winter. Robbery incidents increased by 28.6% (7 → 9), while possession of weapons rose by 75% (4 → 7). These increases suggest a need for continued focus on public safety measures, particularly in areas where alcohol consumption or social tensions may contribute to such offences. The contrast between falling vehicle crime and rising public order incidents highlights shifting patterns in local criminal activity.

Chichester's February 2024 crime rate of 5.6 per 1,000 residents remained stable compared to the previous month's 5.7 per 1,000, reflecting a -0.2% change. This consistency suggests no significant shift in overall crime trends during the month. Daily crime activity averaged 25 incidents per day, a figure that aligns with Chichester's historical patterns of moderate crime levels. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 177 residents, a monthly exposure rate that positions Chichester as one of the safer areas in the UK. When scaled to the local population of 128,934, this translates to a manageable level of risk for residents. The stable rate, combined with the low daily frequency, indicates that crime remains a relatively infrequent occurrence in the district, even during the winter months.