Chichester Crime Rate October 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Chichester’s crime rate in October 2025 stood at 6.9 per 1,000 residents, 10.4% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. This figure, while modest, reflects a mix of local and seasonal influences. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, contributing 26.5% of all incidents, a rate 32% lower than the UK average. This may be attributable to the town’s relatively stable community structure and the presence of local policing initiatives, though these are not explicitly mentioned in the data. Anti-social behaviour and shoplifting, however, exceeded UK averages by 11% and 27% respectively, potentially linked to the pre-Christmas shopping period and the town’s historic high streets, which attract both residents and tourists. The seasonal context of October—darker evenings, the return of students to local universities, and the timing of Halloween—likely contributed to fluctuations in crime patterns. For instance, the rise in anti-social behaviour could be tied to Halloween-related activities, while the lower rate of violent crime may reflect the absence of major events that typically draw crowds. Overall, Chichester’s crime profile illustrates a balance between national trends and local characteristics, with the town maintaining a safer-than-average environment despite seasonal spikes in specific categories.

The most dramatic month-on-month change occurred in burglary, which surged by 111.8% from 17 to 36 incidents. This sharp increase, though not reflected in the overall rate, may be linked to seasonal factors such as darker evenings and the timing of local events. Violence and sexual offences remained the most common category, accounting for 26.5% of all crimes, but this rate was 32% below the UK average, a notable contrast to national trends. Anti-social behaviour and shoplifting both exceeded UK averages, with anti-social behaviour 11% above and shoplifting 27% above the national rate. These figures could be influenced by Chichester’s historic town centre, which may see higher levels of public interaction and transient populations during October. Meanwhile, theft from the person fell by 25%, a decline that may reflect heightened awareness or seasonal deterrence factors. The contrast between categories—violent crime below average, property crime above—suggests a combination of local and national influences.

Chichester’s crime rate rose by 17.7% in October 2025 compared to the previous month, moving from 5.8 to 6.9 crimes per 1,000 residents. While this increase places the area slightly below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000, it reflects a shift in local patterns. Over the 31 days of October, the town recorded an average of 29 crimes per day, a figure that, while not alarmingly high, underscores the need for consistent policing. The monthly exposure rate—1 crime for every 146 residents—provides context for residents: over the course of the month, each individual faced a roughly 0.7% chance of being directly affected by crime. This rate, though lower than the UK average, highlights how local factors, such as seasonal transitions and community dynamics, shape crime trends. The increase from September may partly reflect the return of students to local universities or the timing of events like Halloween, which can drive anti-social behaviour and related incidents.