Eastbourne Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Eastbourne’s December 2025 crime rate of 10.1 per 1,000 residents places it 44.3% above the UK average, a stark deviation from the national trend. The most prevalent crime categories were violence and sexual offences (34.5% of all incidents), anti-social behaviour (16.3%), and shoplifting (14.4%). These figures align with Eastbourne’s character as a coastal town with a mix of tourist activity and residential communities. The surge in violent crime, particularly robbery and theft from the person, may be linked to the Christmas shopping peak and the influx of visitors during the festive season. Meanwhile, shoplifting’s decline could reflect increased retail security measures or reduced foot traffic in the evenings. Anti-social behaviour, though still significantly above the UK average (72% higher), saw a notable drop, due to the closure of venues during the holidays. The seasonal context of December—dark evenings, holiday absences, and the economic activity of Christmas—likely amplifies certain crime types while dampening others. This month’s data highlights the combination of local geography, seasonal rhythms, and crime patterns, suggesting that Eastbourne’s crime profile remains sensitive to both temporary and long-term factors.

December 2025 saw a 300% increase in robbery incidents, rising from 5 to 20 cases. This surge, which far outpaces the UK average by 100%, points to a dramatic shift in violent crime patterns. Theft from the person also doubled, jumping from 0 to 10 cases, a trend consistent with increased foot traffic during the festive season. Conversely, shoplifting fell by 37.3%, a drop that may reflect heightened police presence or seasonal retail security measures. Anti-social behaviour decreased by 19.7%, likely linked to the closure of nightlife venues over Christmas. Bicycle theft rose by 75%, a category that is exactly 100% above the UK average. These swings underscore the volatility of crime in Eastbourne, where seasonal factors and local events can rapidly alter trends. Residents may find the 300% rise in robbery particularly concerning, given its direct impact on personal safety.

Eastbourne's crime rate in December 2025 dropped by 10.2% compared to November, falling from 11.2 to 10.1 per 1,000 residents. This decline aligns with the end of the Christmas shopping peak, though seasonal factors like dark evenings and holiday absences may still influence patterns. On average, 34 crimes were reported daily in December, a figure that translates to one reported crime for every 99 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate is a key metric for residents assessing risk, though it does not account for fluctuations in daily activity or population movement. The area’s population of 104,259 means that crime distribution per 1,000 residents remains a useful benchmark, even as absolute numbers shift. While the overall rate remains above the UK average, the month-on-month reduction suggests potential stabilisation in local crime trends, though further analysis is needed to confirm whether this reflects sustained improvements or temporary factors.