Chichester Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For a district with a population of 128,934, Chichester’s total of 770 crimes in May 2024 equates to approximately 0.6 crimes per 100 residents. This figure, while not insignificant, places the area firmly below the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000, with a gap of 28.6%. The crime profile reveals a distinct emphasis on violent and sexual offences, which accounted for 31.7% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (19.7%) and shoplifting (9.0%). These patterns may be influenced by Chichester’s character as a historic coastal town with a mix of residential and tourist areas, where social interactions in public spaces could contribute to higher rates of violence and anti-social behaviour. Seasonal factors in May, such as longer evenings and bank holidays, likely play a role in shaping these trends, as they often coincide with increased outdoor activity and alcohol consumption. The relative underrepresentation of property crimes compared to the UK average—where property crimes typically dominate—suggests that Chichester’s crime profile is shaped more by interpersonal conflicts than by economic motivations. However, the presence of shoplifting and vehicle crime, albeit at lower rates than the UK average, indicates that retail and transportation hubs remain focal points for certain types of criminal activity. The data also highlights a broader trend of lower-than-average rates for drug-related offences (55% below the UK average) and possession of weapons (100% below), which may reflect effective policing or community initiatives targeting these areas. While these figures illustrate a generally safer area, the spikes in theft from the person and bicycle theft underscore the need for targeted interventions during periods of increased social activity.

May 2024 saw sharp increases in specific crime categories, most theft from the person, which surged by 300% (from 1 to 4 incidents). This spike, though small in absolute terms, suggests heightened vulnerability during May’s extended evenings and bank holidays, when outdoor socialising may increase. Bicycle theft also rose by 75%, climbing from 4 to 7 incidents, a trend that may be linked to seasonal cycling activity. Conversely, shoplifting fell by 34.3%, declining from 105 to 69, due to increased policing in retail areas or shifts in consumer behaviour. Chichester’s violent crime rate (1.9 per 1,000) remains 33% below the UK average, a consistent pattern that may reflect the district’s demographic profile or effective community engagement strategies. Meanwhile, burglary dropped by 40.6%, from 32 to 19 incidents, a decrease that could be attributed to improved security measures or seasonal factors.

Chichester’s crime rate in May 2024 dropped slightly to 6.0 per 1,000 residents, a 3.4% decrease from April’s 6.2 per 1,000. This small decline aligns with broader trends observed in similar areas during early spring, when seasonal shifts may reduce certain types of crime. On a daily basis, the district saw an average of 25 crimes reported each day, a figure that reflects both local patterns and national benchmarks. When scaled to the population of 128,934, this translates to one reported crime occurring for every 167 residents over the course of the month. While this monthly exposure rate is relatively low, crime distribution can vary significantly depending on local factors such as population density, economic activity, and policing strategies. The comparison to the UK average highlights Chichester’s consistently lower crime profile, though this does not necessarily indicate uniform safety across all areas within the district.