Chichester Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Chichester's crime profile in December 2025 reveals a striking contrast between property and violent crime, with the two categories accounting for nearly 53% of all reported incidents. While property crimes (244) narrowly outpace violent crimes (236), the overall rate of 5.5 per 1,000 residents remains 21.4% below the UK average of 7.0 per 1,000. This divergence may reflect the area's character as a historic market town with a mix of residential and commercial zones, where retail hubs and seasonal events influence crime patterns. Violence and sexual offences, though slightly below the UK average for this category, dominate the crime profile at 33.1% of all reported incidents, suggesting persistent challenges in addressing interpersonal conflicts and public safety during the festive season. Anti-social behaviour follows at 19.8%, a category often linked to the town's nightlife and holiday-related disturbances. Shoplifting (10.2%) and criminal damage (7.3%) further highlight the impact of Christmas shopping and seasonal partying on local crime dynamics. The data aligns with broader seasonal trends, where dark evenings and increased foot traffic in retail areas create conditions conducive to property crime, while the absence of school holidays and the presence of holiday events may contribute to higher rates of anti-social behaviour. This balance between property and violent crime underscores the need for targeted interventions that address both economic and social factors influencing local safety.

December 2025 saw significant shifts in crime patterns, with Other crime rising by 100% (6 to 12) and Possession of weapons increasing by 57.1% (7 to 11), suggesting a possible uptick in illicit activity or changes in policing priorities. Robbery also climbed by 50% (6 to 9), though this remains a minor category at 1.3% of all crimes. Conversely, Theft from the person fell by 57.1% (7 to 3), potentially reflecting heightened awareness during the holiday season or reduced opportunities for such crimes. The category of Violence and sexual offences, at 1.8 per 1,000, is 30% below the UK average for this category, indicating Chichester's relative success in mitigating severe interpersonal crime despite its seasonal challenges. Meanwhile, Criminal damage and arson dropped by 34.2% (79 to 52), possibly due to increased community vigilance or the temporary closure of certain premises over the holidays. Public order offences also declined by 32.4% (71 to 48), though this category remains above the UK average by 9%. These fluctuations highlight the combination of seasonal factors and local enforcement efforts, with Chichester's crime mix showing both vulnerabilities and areas of resilience compared to national benchmarks.

Chichester's crime rate in December 2025 fell to 5.5 per 1,000, a 6.7% decrease from the previous month's rate of 5.9 per 1,000. This decline, while modest, aligns with broader trends observed in similar historic towns where seasonal lulls in certain crime types can offset spikes in others. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly 23 crimes per day in December, a figure that, when contextualised against the local population of 128,934, translates to one reported crime occurring for every 181 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure metric provides a tangible benchmark for residents, illustrating that while crime is present, it remains relatively infrequent compared to larger urban centres. The population-scaled perspective further reveals that Chichester's per capita crime rate is significantly lower than the UK average, with the town's property crime rate (0.6 per 1,000) and violent crime rate (1.8 per 1,000) both falling below national figures. This suggests that the area's unique demographic profile—characterised by a mix of older residential areas, tourist attractions, and commercial hubs—may contribute to its lower overall crime rate. However, the 100% increase in Bicycle theft compared to the UK average (0.1 vs 0.1 per 1,000) highlights specific vulnerabilities that warrant closer attention, particularly in areas with high concentrations of cyclists or cycling infrastructure.