Eastbourne Crime Rate November 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Eastbourne's crime profile in November 2023 reveals a combination of violent and property-related offences, with violent crimes accounting for 34.5% of the total and property crimes at 39%. The area's crime rate of 9.6 per 1,000 residents—28% above the UK average—highlights persistent challenges in maintaining public safety. Violence and sexual offences (344 incidents) dominated the landscape, with a rate 27% above the UK average, potentially reflecting the social dynamics of a coastal town with a mix of residential and tourist areas. Shoplifting (145 incidents) stood out as a particularly elevated category, 155% above the UK average, consistent with the presence of high-footfall retail spaces during the Black Friday shopping period. Anti-social behaviour (139 incidents) and criminal damage (96 incidents) also showed significant deviations from UK averages, suggesting that community tensions or environmental factors may contribute to these trends. The seasonal context of November—marked by dark evenings, Bonfire Night, and the start of the Christmas shopping season—likely amplifies certain crime patterns, particularly those involving visibility and opportunity. While the area's overall rate remains above the UK average, the specific balance of crime types offers insight into the unique pressures facing Eastbourne, from the impact of tourism to the challenges of managing public spaces in a coastal environment.

November 2023 saw a striking 166.7% increase in vehicle crime, rising from 21 to 56 incidents. This surge may partly explain the shift in the crime mix, with property-related offences accounting for 49% of total crimes compared to 34.5% for violent crimes. Shoplifting remained a stark outlier, with 145 incidents (14.5% of total crimes) and a rate 155% above the UK average. Conversely, robbery fell sharply by 83.3% (from 12 to 2 incidents), marking a notable reduction in high-severity violent crime. The increase in vehicle crime may reflect seasonal factors such as Black Friday shopping, which could have led to more vehicles being targeted in car parks and near retail hubs. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage remained elevated, with rates 24% and 53% above UK averages respectively, consistent with the area's mix of residential and commercial spaces.

Eastbourne's crime rate in November 2023 stood at 9.6 per 1,000 residents, a 9.6% decrease from the previous month's 10.6 per 1,000. This decline aligns with a broader trend observed in the latter half of the year, though the area remains 28% above the UK average. Daily crime activity averaged 33 incidents per day, a figure that contextualises the pace of reported crime in a localised timeframe. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 105 residents, highlighting the frequency of incidents within the population. This monthly exposure rate, while consistent with seasonal patterns, contrasts with the UK's broader averages. The population context—Eastbourne's 104,259 residents—means that localised factors such as the town's coastal tourism infrastructure and seasonal retail activity may influence these figures. The decrease in robbery by 83.3% (from 12 to 2 incidents) suggests a possible reduction in high-risk interactions, though this remains an isolated data point within a broader picture of persistent property and violent crime.