Chichester Crime Rate July 2024 | Monthly Statistics

July 2024 marked a mixed picture for Chichester’s crime profile, with the overall rate of 7.4 per 1,000 residents remaining 11.9% below the UK average. This performance aligns with the district’s character as a historic coastal town with a blend of urban and suburban areas, where seasonal tourism and festivals can influence crime patterns. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime mix, accounting for 29.7% of total incidents, though this category was 23% below the UK average. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, at 20.8% of all crimes, reflecting the impact of summer activities and increased public gatherings. The seasonal context of July—peak tourism, school holidays, and outdoor events—likely contributed to these patterns, with higher foot traffic in public spaces and retail areas potentially driving both anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. However, the data also shows a 23% deficit in violent crime compared to national rates, which may be attributable to Chichester’s relatively low population density and strong community policing efforts. The breakdown of property crimes, such as shoplifting (7.8% of total) and vehicle crime (7.6%), suggests that retail and transportation hubs remain focal points for property-related offences. While the overall rate remains stable, the month-on-month fluctuations highlight the need for targeted interventions during peak tourism periods, ensuring that increased activity does not impact local safety.

July 2024 saw a sharp 150% increase in 'other crime' compared to June, rising from 8 to 20 incidents. This category, which includes a range of less-specific offences, may reflect heightened activity during the summer peak. Bicycle theft also jumped by 114.3%, from 7 to 15, possibly linked to increased cycling during warmer weather or events in the area. In contrast, robbery dropped by 83.3%, from 6 to 1, a significant decline that could indicate improved security measures or reduced opportunities. Violent crime, however, remained the most common category, accounting for 29.7% of all incidents, though it was 23% below the UK average. Anti-social behaviour, at 20.8% of total crimes, was 3% above the UK rate, suggesting localised pressures in public spaces. The mix of increases and decreases highlights the complexity of seasonal crime patterns, with some categories responding to tourism or festivals while others show resilience.

Chichester's crime rate in July 2024 rose 20.4% compared to June, marking a shift from the previous month’s 6.1 per 1,000 to the current 7.4 per 1,000. This increase, while still below the UK average, suggests a temporary uptick in reported incidents. Daily crime figures for July average 31 crimes per day, a rate that reflects the district’s population density and seasonal activity. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 136 residents, a figure that contextualises the scale of incidents relative to the area’s population of 128,934. This monthly exposure rate is lower than the UK average, but the rise from June indicates a need for continued monitoring. The population-scaled perspective highlights that while individual risk remains low, the aggregate increase warrants attention, particularly in areas with high foot traffic or seasonal events. This comparison underscores the importance of tracking trends over time, as short-term fluctuations may not always reflect long-term safety patterns.