Southbourne Crime Rate

Crime statistics for Southbourne, Chichester, reveal a crime rate of 54.6 per 1,000 residents between January 2025 and December 2025. This figure is lower than the UK average of 91.6 per 1,000, indicating that Southbourne is generally safer than many areas of the country. However, understanding the specific types of crime and trends is crucial for residents. The area has experienced a significant decrease in crime, with a reduction of 15.9% year-on-year, suggesting ongoing efforts are having a positive impact. This downward trend is reflected in monthly data, though fluctuations are observed, particularly in December 2025.

The crime landscape in Southbourne is primarily shaped by its residential character and proximity to Chichester. While the area benefits from a strong sense of community, the concentration of residents can, unfortunately, contribute to opportunities for certain types of crime. The prevalence of detached and semi-detached houses may also be a factor in incidents of criminal damage and burglary. Furthermore, the area's appeal as a desirable location can, on occasion, attract opportunistic crime. Demographic factors, such as the age profile of residents and the presence of seasonal visitors, may also play a role in the types of crimes observed. Understanding these nuances is key to developing targeted crime prevention strategies.

The decrease in crime by 15.9% year-on-year in Southbourne is a positive development. Examining the monthly data reveals fluctuations; for instance, crime rates were comparatively higher in May 2025 (7.2 per 1,000) and December 2025 (7.0 per 1,000), while February 2025 saw a low of 3.4 per 1,000. This variability highlights the need for continued monitoring and proactive crime prevention measures. The overall downward trend, however, indicates that current strategies are proving effective, suggesting a sustained effort to improve safety in the area.

How To Keep Safe in Southbourne

Given the prevalence of violence and sexual offences, be aware of your surroundings, particularly when walking alone at night. Avoid poorly lit areas and consider walking with a friend. Due to the incidence of anti-social behaviour, report any suspicious activity to the authorities. With criminal damage and arson being a concern, ensure your property is well-maintained and any potential fire hazards are addressed. Finally, secure your vehicles and belongings to mitigate vehicle crime; consider a steering wheel lock and parking in well-lit areas.

Crimes in Southbourne tend to follow a daily pattern influenced by commercial activity and evening routines. Burglary incidents are relatively consistent across the day, with a slight increase during the night (12am-6am). Theft is concentrated during the afternoon (12pm-6pm), reflecting typical shopping and business hours. Vehicle crime peaks during the overnight period (11pm-6am), possibly related to opportunistic theft and reduced visibility. Violence tends to be more prevalent in the evening (6pm-12am), particularly on weekends, linked to increased social activity. The overall pattern suggests a need for heightened vigilance during these specific times.

Comparing Southbourne’s crime rate to similar areas in Chichester reveals varying levels of risk. Hambrook and Nutbourne demonstrate a lower rate of 40.9 per 1,000, while Westbourne reports a slightly higher rate of 52.5 per 1,000. Hambrook (Chichester) presents a notably low rate of 0.0 per 1,000, indicating a particularly safe environment. Emsworth, with a rate of 54.3 per 1,000, is closely aligned with Southbourne's overall crime statistics, suggesting a comparable safety profile.

Traditional CCTV systems often provide recordings after a burglary has occurred, offering little preventative action. With an annual crime rate of 54.6 per 1,000 in Southbourne, proactive protection is key. scOS, an AI-powered home security operating system, changes this paradigm. It uses multi-camera intelligence to monitor your property boundary, identifying potential threats before they escalate. The system’s DVLA vehicle verification instantly flags suspicious vehicles, and its pattern learning distinguishes between familiar faces and potential intruders. This proactive approach, combined with autonomous responses like activating lights and speakers, creates a powerful deterrent – most burglars decide within 60 seconds, and the visible presence of scOS can make them reconsider. Reading crime statistics is one thing; actually stopping threats at your property line is another.