Chichester Crime Rate October 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Chichester's October 2024 crime rate of 6.1 per 1,000 residents marked a 24.7% reduction compared to the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. This figure, the lowest in the district's recent monthly records, reflects a persistent trend of below-average crime rates that has characterised the area for several years. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 33.4% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour at 17.8% and criminal damage and arson at 10.4%. These figures align with Chichester's profile as a historic coastal town with a mix of urban and rural environments, where community-focused policing and the presence of heritage sites may contribute to lower rates of property crime compared to larger urban centres. Seasonal factors, including the transition to darker evenings and the Halloween period, likely influenced patterns of anti-social behaviour and public order offences, though these remained significantly below UK averages. The district's crime profile also shows a marked contrast to national trends in vehicle crime and shoplifting, both of which were 36% and 17% below UK averages respectively. This suggests that local initiatives, such as community engagement programmes and targeted policing in high-traffic areas, may be effective in mitigating certain types of crime. The data also indicates that while violent crime remains the most reported category, its rate of 2.1 per 1,000 is 21% below the UK average, highlighting a combination of local demographics and crime prevention efforts.

The most dramatic month-on-month change in October 2024 was a 50% increase in drug-related crimes, rising from 14 to 21 incidents. This surge, while still below the UK average of 0.3 per 1,000 (23% below), raises questions about potential shifts in local patterns or increased reporting. Concurrently, theft from the person fell by 60% compared to September, dropping from five to two incidents—a stark contrast that may reflect seasonal factors such as reduced pedestrian activity during darker evenings. The crime mix also showed notable shifts: while property crimes remained relatively stable (286 total), violent crimes (264) accounted for a slightly higher proportion of total incidents than in previous months. This balance may be influenced by Chichester's unique demographic composition, with a significant proportion of residents employed in the service sector and tourism industry, which can shape local crime dynamics. Shoplifting decreased by 28% (from 100 to 72 incidents), aligning with broader national trends of reduced retail crime during the autumn months. However, criminal damage and arson increased by 34.4%, suggesting a potential uptick in vandalism during the Halloween period. Residents may find the 60% drop in theft from the person particularly noteworthy, as it indicates that targeted measures such as increased police patrols in high-risk areas or community awareness campaigns may be yielding positive results.

Chichester's October 2024 crime rate of 6.1 per 1,000 residents marked a 2.1% decrease from the previous month's rate of 6.3 per 1,000, continuing a downward trend observed over the past year. On a daily basis, the district recorded an average of 26 crimes per day in October, a figure that, while contextually relevant for local residents, does not directly compare to national averages due to the absence of UK-wide daily crime statistics. The monthly exposure figure—1 crime for every 163 residents—provides a useful perspective for understanding the likelihood of encountering crime in the area. This rate, when scaled to Chichester's population of 128,934, illustrates that the majority of residents are unlikely to experience crime firsthand, though localised pockets may face higher risks. The comparison to the UK average underscores Chichester's relative safety, with the district's overall crime rate remaining 24.7% below the national figure. This gap is particularly pronounced in categories such as vehicle crime (36% below UK average) and other theft (46% below), which may reflect the town's lower population density and the effectiveness of local crime prevention strategies. However, the increase in drug-related crimes—now 21 incidents in October—suggests that certain challenges persist, requiring continued attention from local authorities and community stakeholders.