Chichester Crime Rate September 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Chichester’s crime profile in September 2025 reveals a distinct balance between violent and property crimes, shaped by the town’s character as a historic coastal market town with a mix of residential, commercial, and tourist areas. The overall crime rate of 5.8 per 1,000 residents places the area 21.6% below the UK average, reflecting a generally lower risk environment compared to national trends. Violence and sexual offences dominate the crime mix, accounting for nearly a third of all reported incidents (29.4%), followed by anti-social behaviour (23.7%) and shoplifting (10.6%). This pattern aligns with the presence of Chichester’s town centre, which hosts a range of retail and hospitality businesses, likely contributing to both shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. The lower-than-average rates for burglary (64% below UK average) and vehicle crime (75% below) suggest that the area’s relatively compact, pedestrian-friendly layout may limit opportunities for certain types of property crime. Seasonal factors also play a role: as September marks the return of students to nearby universities and the start of the academic year, the increase in public spaces being occupied by younger demographics may partly explain the prominence of violence and anti-social behaviour. However, the data also shows a significant reduction in bicycle theft (52.4% decrease from August), linked to the end of summer holidays and reduced tourist activity in the area.

September 2025 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with increases in drug-related offences (85.7% rise from 7 to 13 incidents) and robbery (66.7% increase from 6 to 10). These rises may reflect the seasonal influx of university students and the associated pressures on local services. Conversely, bicycle theft dropped sharply by 52.4% (from 21 to 10), a trend consistent with the end of the tourist season and reduced foot traffic in Chichester’s coastal areas. Anti-social behaviour, while still a significant concern (23.7% of all crimes), was 20% above the UK average, highlighting the town’s unique challenges in managing public order. The rate of violence and sexual offences (1.7 per 1,000) was 34% below the national average, a stark contrast to the 20% above average for anti-social behaviour. This divergence suggests that while violent crime is relatively contained, localised issues such as rowdy behaviour in public spaces remain a focus for authorities. For residents, the 25 daily crimes reported in September provide a tangible measure of the area’s ongoing security needs, with anti-social behaviour and violence forming the most visible aspects of the crime picture.

Chichester’s crime rate in September 2025 (5.8 per 1,000 residents) marked a 15.3% decrease from August’s 6.9, reflecting a continued downward trend in overall crime. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 171 residents, a figure that contextualises the monthly exposure in terms of population. This translates to 25 crimes reported daily, a statistic that offers residents a concrete sense of the frequency of incidents within their community. When compared to the previous month, the drop in burglary (37%) and vehicle crime (41.7%) suggests that targeted interventions or natural seasonal factors—such as the reduction in summer tourism—may have contributed to the decline. However, the increase in drug-related offences highlights the need for ongoing vigilance in addressing emerging challenges. The town’s crime profile, while generally lower than the UK average, still requires attention to specific categories like anti-social behaviour, which remain high. This comparative analysis underscores the importance of maintaining localised strategies that balance the unique characteristics of Chichester with broader national trends.