Chapel St Leonards Crime Rate

Chapel St Leonards presents a challenging safety profile, with an overall crime rate of 133.1 per 1,000 people. This is significantly higher than the UK average of 91.7, resulting in a safety score of 65/100, which is well below the national benchmark of 79. The crime trend in Chapel St Leonards is currently increasing, with a sharp 30.9% rise year-over-year. As a popular coastal holiday destination, the village's statistics are heavily influenced by seasonal tourism, leading to a high concentration of reported incidents during the summer months. The data shows that violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour, and burglary are the primary concerns for the area. The following sections provide a detailed analysis of these patterns and advice for residents and visitors.

Crime Breakdown in Chapel St Leonards

In Chapel St Leonards, violence and sexual offences are the most common crime types, accounting for 204 reported incidents or 48.1% of the total crime. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 15.8% and burglary at 10.6%. The high percentage of violent crime and the significant burglary rate are key considerations for this coastal village, especially given its seasonal nature.

Property crime in Chapel St Leonards occurs at a rate of 41.5 per 1,000 people, which is considerably higher than the UK average. This category is comprised of burglary (10.6%), other theft (9.9%), criminal damage and arson (4.0%), shoplifting (3.1%), and vehicle crime (2.8%). For homeowners, the fact that burglary is the third most common crime type and occurs at a rate of 14.1 per 1,000 is a significant concern. The high volume of theft-related offences suggests that opportunistic property crime is a major issue. Residents, particularly those with holiday homes or seasonal properties, should prioritise robust security measures to protect against the high risk of burglary and theft in the area.

Crime Trends in Chapel St Leonards

The crime trend in Chapel St Leonards is currently increasing, with a significant 30.9% rise in total offences year-over-year. This sharp upward shift is a major concern for the village. Analysis of the monthly data from December 2024 to November 2025 reveals a very strong seasonal pattern typical of a major tourist destination.

The year started with relatively low rates, reaching a bottom in February 2025 at just 4.4 per 1,000 people. However, activity skyrocketed as the tourist season approached, with rates Jumping to 13.8 in March and April. The peak occurred in August 2025, with an exceptionally high rate of 20.7 per 1,000. Activity then tapered off significantly towards the end of the year, falling to 4.1 in November. This extreme summer spike indicates that the massive influx of seasonal visitors brings a corresponding surge in opportunistic crime and social nuisance. For residents, this trend highlights the critical importance of maintaining high levels of security during the peak holiday months.

How To Keep Safe in Chapel St Leonards

Violence and sexual offences are the most frequently reported crime type in Chapel St Leonards, accounting for nearly 48% of incidents. To maintain your personal safety, it is essential to stay aware of your surroundings, especially in busy tourist areas and during the late-night hours when crime rates are at their highest.

If you are out at night, try to stay in well-lit, populated areas and travel with friends. To protect against the high burglary rate (10.6%), ensure your home is always securely locked and consider installing motion-sensor lighting. Given that 55% of burglaries occur at night, having a visible security presence is a powerful deterrent. We also recommend being vigilant with your personal belongings in crowded public spaces to prevent opportunistic theft. If you own a seasonal property, regular checks and a proactive security system are highly recommended during the quieter months. These steps can help you feel more secure in this active coastal community.

Crime Patterns in Chapel St Leonards

Crime in Chapel St Leonards follows a very distinct and concerning temporal pattern. During the morning (6am-12pm) and afternoon (12pm-6pm), theft is the primary concern, accounting for 55% and 51% of crimes in those periods respectively. This suggests that opportunistic theft and shoplifting are extremely common during the day when the village is at its busiest with visitors.

As the day transitions into the evening (6pm-12am) and night (12am-6am), burglary risk escalates dramatically. Burglary accounts for 46% of evening crimes and a staggering 55% of night-time incidents. Vehicle crime also peaks significantly during the night, rising to 20% of all reported incidents between midnight and 6am. These patterns are among the most pronounced in the region, highlighting that while the daytime is dominated by opportunistic theft, the night-time hours carry an exceptionally high risk for property security and vehicle owners. Residents and visitors should be aware that the hours of darkness are when the most serious property crimes are most likely to occur.

In the context of its local surroundings, Chapel St Leonards is a high-activity hub. Its crime rate of 133.1 per 1,000 is much higher than nearby Hogsthorpe (45.7) and other residential neighbours like Anderby Creek and Mumby, which report near-zero crime. However, it remains significantly safer than the neighbouring resort of Ingoldmells, which has an exceptionally high crime rate of 404.1. This contrast highlights Chapel St Leonards' position as a major tourist destination that attracts more activity than its rural neighbours, but less than the region's largest entertainment hubs. For those looking at the region, Chapel St Leonards offers a busy coastal environment with a safety profile that requires consistent vigilance.

With a high property crime rate of 41.5 per 1,000 people and a significant 30.9% increase in overall crime, Chapel St Leonards residents should prioritise professional-grade security. Burglary is a particularly high risk in this area, accounting for over 10% of all crime and peaking dramatically at night (55%). Traditional security systems are often reactive, meaning they only record footage or alert you once an intruder has already entered your home. In an area with such high burglary rates, a reactive approach is often insufficient.

scOS offers a proactive solution by using AI to detect potential threats at the perimeter of your property. By monitoring boundaries in real-time, scOS can identify suspicious activity and trigger autonomous responses—such as activating high-intensity lights or audible alerts—to deter intruders before they can cause damage or gain entry. This is especially vital given the high percentage of night-time burglaries. Moving to an AI-powered system transforms your home security from a simple recording device into a real-time deterrent, providing the highest level of protection for your property in a high-risk coastal environment.