Westbourne Crime Rate

Westbourne, within Chichester, recorded a crime rate of 52.5 incidents per 1,000 residents between January 2025 and December 2025. This rate is notably lower than the UK average of 91.6 per 1,000, suggesting a relatively safer environment. The safety score for Westbourne stands at 89 out of 100, further reinforcing this perception. While specific crime types vary, the overall trend demonstrates a positive shift, with crime decreasing by 12.6% year-on-year. This reduction offers reassurance to residents, although continued vigilance and proactive measures remain important for maintaining a secure community.

Westbourne, within Chichester, presents a nuanced crime picture. Violence and sexual offences constitute the largest proportion of reported crimes, accounting for 24.8% of all incidents (31 crimes). This category includes a range of offenses, highlighting potential concerns around personal safety. Criminal damage and arson follow closely, representing 20.8% of incidents (26 crimes), suggesting issues with vandalism and property damage. Anti-social behaviour is also a notable factor, contributing 20% of reported crimes (25 incidents). While burglary rates are comparatively lower at 6.4% (8 crimes), the presence of other theft (6.4%), and public order offenses (5.6%) paints a picture of a community facing diverse challenges. The relatively low rates of more serious crimes such as robbery and possession of weapons (both 0.8%) are positive indicators, but ongoing vigilance remains essential.

Crime in Westbourne has been steadily decreasing. The most recent data, covering January 2025 to December 2025, shows a significant 12.6% year-on-year reduction. While January 2025 recorded a monthly crime rate of 6.3 per 1,000, this figure steadily declined, reaching a low of 2.5 per 1,000 in December 2025. The months of February, March, April, May and June all saw rates between 3.8 and 4.6 per 1,000, while September and October showed a further decrease, and November continued this trend. This positive downward trajectory suggests effective crime prevention strategies and community engagement.

How To Keep Safe in Westbourne

Given that violence and sexual offences are the most prevalent crime type in Westbourne, it's crucial to be mindful of your personal safety. Firstly, be aware of your surroundings, especially when walking alone at night. Secondly, consider joining or supporting local neighbourhood watch schemes to foster community vigilance. Thirdly, secure your property with robust locks and consider installing motion-activated lighting. Fourthly, report any suspicious activity to the police immediately. Finally, remember that looking out for your neighbours can also contribute to a safer environment for everyone.

Crime patterns in Westbourne reveal that burglaries are most frequently reported during the afternoon (12pm - 6pm), with 23% of incidents occurring during this period. Vehicle crime tends to be more common during the night (12am - 6am), accounting for 19% of incidents. The evening (6pm - 12am) sees a higher proportion of other crimes (65%) which may relate to social activity. While violence and theft are more distributed across the day, the peak in other crime during the evening hours suggests a need for increased visibility and patrols during those times.

Comparing Westbourne’s crime statistics to surrounding areas reveals some variation. Emsworth and Southbourne exhibit slightly higher rates at 54.3 and 54.6 per 1,000 respectively, while Hambrook (Chichester) demonstrates an exceptionally low rate of 0.0 per 1,000. Hambrook and Nutbourne falls somewhere in between at 40.9 per 1,000. These comparisons highlight Westbourne’s relative safety within the Chichester district, although it’s important to remember that these are broad averages and localised variations may exist.

Traditional CCTV systems often provide recordings after a crime has occurred. scOS, however, offers a proactive approach to home security. By using AI to analyse camera feeds at the property boundary, it detects potential threats before they escalate. Its DVLA vehicle verification feature can instantly identify suspicious vehicles, while pattern learning recognises familiar faces and routines, minimising false alarms. The visible presence of scOS – its multi-camera intelligence and autonomous response – acts as a strong deterrent. Most burglars make decisions within the first 60 seconds; scOS makes that decision easy for them – they move on. While DIY security systems have their place, scOS delivers a professional-grade level of protection, preventing crime rather than simply recording it.