Chichester Crime Rate July 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Chichester's overall crime rate in July 2024 stood at 7.4 per 1,000 residents, 11.9% below the UK average of 8.4. This figure places the area in a safer position nationally, though local patterns reveal a complex picture. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 29.7% of all incidents (282 cases), a rate 23% below the UK average. Anti-social behaviour followed closely at 20.8% (198 cases), slightly above the national average of 1.4 per 1,000. The seasonal context of July—peak summer with schools out, festivals, and tourism—likely influences these patterns. For instance, the rise in anti-social behaviour may correlate with increased public gatherings, while the drop in robbery (from 6 to 1 case) could reflect heightened police visibility during high-traffic periods. Meanwhile, property crimes such as shoplifting (7.8% of total) and vehicle crime (7.6%) remained below or in line with UK averages, though vehicle crime was 30% above the national rate, due to local commuter traffic or recreational vehicle use. The area's character as a coastal town with a mix of urban and rural elements may explain some of these trends, with tourism driving certain offences and the relative safety of its residential areas contributing to the lower overall rate compared to the UK average.

July 2024 saw a sharp increase in 'other crime,' jumping by 150% from 8 to 20 incidents. This category, which includes non-specific offences not easily classified, rose significantly and may reflect underreported or newly emerging crime patterns. Bicycle theft also surged by 114.3%, climbing from 7 to 15 cases, a trend consistent with summer festivals and outdoor events that may attract opportunistic theft. Conversely, robbery dropped by 83.3%, from 6 to 1 incident, a decrease that could be linked to heightened police presence during peak tourist season. Meanwhile, violence and sexual offences remained the most common category at 282 cases (29.7% of total), 23% below the UK average. Vehicle crime, however, was 30% above the UK average at 0.6 per 1,000, suggesting local factors such as commuter parking or recreational vehicle use may contribute to this disparity. These shifts highlight how seasonal dynamics and local conditions can influence crime trends in distinct ways.

Chichester's crime rate in July 2024 rose by 20.4% compared to June, moving from 6.1 to 7.4 per 1,000 residents. This increase, while notable, still places the area 11.9% below the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000. On a daily basis, the area experienced an average of 31 crimes per day in July, reflecting a consistent level of activity despite the seasonal uplift. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 136 residents, a figure that contextualises the monthly exposure for local residents. With a population of 128,934, this rate suggests that while crime is present, it remains relatively low compared to national benchmarks. The rise in specific categories, such as 'other crime' and bicycle theft, may partly explain the upward trend, though broader seasonal factors like increased tourism and outdoor events could also play a role. This comparison highlights the importance of viewing crime rates within both local and national contexts to avoid overestimating or underestimating the significance of monthly fluctuations.