Chichester Crime Rate February 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Chichester’s crime rate in February 2025 remained lower than the UK average, standing at 5.6 per 1,000 residents—16.4% below the national figure of 6.7 per 1,000. This sustained gap suggests that the town’s unique characteristics, such as its mix of historic residential areas and commercial hubs, may contribute to a crime profile distinct from larger urban centres. Violence and sexual offences accounted for the largest share of reported crimes (29%), followed by anti-social behaviour (20.8%) and shoplifting (9.8%). The seasonal context of February—a month marked by low outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull—likely plays a role in shaping these trends. While violent crime remains a significant concern, its rate of 1.6 per 1,000 is 32% below the UK average, a figure that may reflect the town’s relatively low population density and strong community networks. Anti-social behaviour, however, deviates from the national pattern, with rates 24% above the UK average. This discrepancy could be attributed to local factors such as the concentration of social spaces in the town centre or the impact of transient populations. The lower-than-average rates for shoplifting and vehicle crime (both 19% below the UK average) may indicate effective policing strategies or environmental design features that deter such offences. These findings highlight the importance of contextual analysis when interpreting crime statistics, as the interplay between geographic, demographic, and seasonal factors shapes the local crime picture in ways that cannot be fully captured by aggregate numbers alone.

February 2025 saw a significant reduction in bicycle theft, which fell by 36.4% from 11 to 7 incidents, marking one of the most pronounced decreases in the month. This decline may be linked to seasonal factors, as winter conditions and reduced daylight hours could deter outdoor crime. Conversely, theft from the person surged by 200%, rising from 3 to 9 cases—a sharp increase that deserves closer attention. This spike, though small in absolute terms, suggests potential vulnerabilities in public spaces or changes in criminal activity patterns. Anti-social behaviour also rose sharply, increasing by 40.6% to 149 incidents, the highest recorded figure for this category. This trend contrasts with the UK average, where anti-social behaviour is 24% below the national rate, highlighting a localised challenge. Meanwhile, shoplifting remained 19% below the UK average, with 70 incidents reported, a figure that may reflect the town’s retail environment and community policing efforts. The decrease in other crime by 76.2% to 5 incidents from 21 in the previous month indicates a broader shift in crime dynamics.

Chichester's crime rate in February 2025 stood at 5.6 per 1,000 residents, a 4.0% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 5.8 per 1,000. This downward trend aligns with the typical pre-spring lull observed in winter months, when outdoor activity and foot traffic in public spaces are lower. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 26 crimes per day, a figure that reflects the local context of a mid-sized town with a mix of residential and commercial zones. When scaled to the population, the monthly exposure rate of one crime per 180 residents underscores a relatively low risk profile compared to the UK average. This statistic is particularly meaningful for residents, as it indicates that the majority of the population is not frequently impacted by crime on a monthly basis. The contrast with national figures is stark: Chichester’s overall rate is 16.4% below the UK average, suggesting that local factors—such as community engagement initiatives or geographic characteristics—may contribute to this sustained gap. However, these figures should be interpreted alongside specific category trends, as some crime types deviate from the national average in notable ways.