Chichester Crime Rate March 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Chichester’s crime rate in March 2025 stood at 7.0 per 1,000 residents, 10.3% below the UK average of 7.8. This figure reflects a combination of local factors, including the town’s coastal character and seasonal rhythms. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 31.6% of all reported incidents, a category that remained 19% below the UK average. Anti-social behaviour followed closely at 19.3%, though this type of crime exceeded the UK average by 12%. The seasonal transition to spring likely influenced patterns, with longer evenings potentially contributing to increased public order incidents and anti-social behaviour. Shoplifting, though lower than the UK average, rose slightly and may be linked to the town’s retail presence, particularly in the historic High Street. The overall crime rate, while higher than February’s 5.6, still places Chichester in a safer bracket compared to the UK as a whole. However, the sharp rise in 'other crime' and drug-related incidents deserves closer attention, as these categories may indicate emerging challenges. The data suggests a need for targeted interventions in areas where anti-social behaviour and unclassified crimes are rising, while maintaining the town’s generally positive safety record.

March 2025 saw a dramatic 400% increase in 'other crime', rising from 5 to 25 cases. This category, which includes unclassified or low-level incidents, surged sharply and may reflect reporting shifts or new patterns of behaviour. Concurrently, drug-related crimes rose by 123.1% (13 to 29), suggesting heightened activity in this area. Bicycle theft also spiked by 114.3% (7 to 15), a concern for residents and visitors reliant on cycling. These increases contrast with declines in vehicle crime (-30.2%) and theft from the person (-22.2%), which may indicate improved security measures or seasonal factors. Violence and sexual offences remained significantly below the UK average (2.2 vs 2.7 per 1,000), a trend consistent with Chichester’s generally lower violent crime profile. However, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting exceeded UK averages by 12% and 3%, respectively, highlighting areas requiring focused community engagement.

Chichester’s crime rate rose by 25.7% from 5.6 to 7.0 per 1,000 residents in March 2025 compared to February. This upward trend contrasts with the area’s generally lower-than-average crime profile. below the UK average. On a daily basis, the district recorded approximately 29 crimes per day, a figure that reflects the local context of a coastal town with a mix of urban and rural characteristics. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 143 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the need for vigilance in community spaces. While this aggregate figure does not indicate a surge in severe crimes, it highlights the persistent presence of lower-level incidents such as anti-social behaviour and property-related offences. The population-scaled perspective shows that Chichester’s residents face a crime environment that, while less intense than the UK average, still requires attention to emerging trends in specific categories.