Chichester Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Chichester's crime rate in January 2026 stood at 5.0 per 1,000, placing it 26.5% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. This marked improvement is most evident in the category of violence and sexual offences, which recorded 268 incidents—16% below the UK average of 2.5 per 1,000. The dominance of violent crime in the local profile contrasts with the UK-wide trend, where property crimes often dominate. Anti-social behaviour, the second most common category, contributed 19.7% of total crimes, though it remained 8% above the UK average. This divergence may reflect Chichester's character as a coastal town with a mix of residential and tourist areas, where interpersonal disputes and community tensions can manifest differently than in larger urban centres. Seasonal factors likely played a role, as January's shorter days and post-holiday lull in retail activity may have reduced opportunities for shoplifting and other property crimes. However, the persistence of violence as a leading concern suggests ongoing challenges in addressing local issues such as alcohol-fuelled conflicts or other community-specific pressures. The overall decline in crime, particularly in robbery and drugs-related offences, may indicate the effectiveness of recent policing strategies or broader socioeconomic shifts.

Violence and sexual offences saw the largest month-on-month increase, rising by 13.6% to 268 incidents—a sharp contrast to the overall decline in crime. This category, which accounts for 41.6% of all recorded crimes, remains 16% below the UK average of 2.5 per 1,000, suggesting local factors may be moderating its impact. Robbery incidents plummeted by 77.8%, from nine to two, a drop that may reflect the post-holiday lull in retail activity and reduced foot traffic in the town centre. Meanwhile, possession of weapons increased by 45.5%, from 11 to 16, a rise that outpaces the UK average by 43%. This anomaly underscores the need for targeted interventions in areas where weapons are more likely to be encountered, such as high-traffic public spaces or locations near alcohol outlets.

Chichester's crime rate in January 2026 dropped 9.6% from the previous month's 5.5 per 1,000 to 5.0 per 1,000, marking a sustained decline in local crime. On a daily basis, the area recorded an average of 21 crimes per day over the 31-day period, a figure that reflects the relatively low overall rate compared to other UK areas. When scaled to the population of 128,934, this translates to one reported crime for every 200 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate is lower than many urban centres, though it remains a useful benchmark for residents to contextualise the likelihood of encountering crime in their daily lives. The rate's continued decline since the previous month suggests a possible stabilisation in local policing efforts or environmental factors, though further analysis would be required to identify specific contributing causes.