Hastings Crime Rate November 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Hastings local authority district recorded a crime rate of 9.2 per 1,000 residents in November 2023, placing it 22.7% above the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 43.2% of all reported incidents, significantly exceeding the UK average for this category by 54%. Anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson followed as the second and third most common crime types, contributing 11.5% and 11.3% respectively. These patterns align with the seasonal context of November, which includes the transition to darker evenings, Bonfire Night celebrations, and the early stages of Black Friday shopping activity. The higher prevalence of violent crime may partly reflect increased social interactions in public spaces during this period. Property crimes, while lower than violent crimes, still represented a notable portion of the overall tally, with 263 incidents reported. This balance between violent and property crime contrasts with some urban centres where property crime often dominates. The local context of Hastings—a coastal town with a mix of residential areas, retail hubs, and public spaces—likely contributes to the observed distribution of crime types. The data suggests that while the area's crime profile remains distinct from the UK average, the seasonal rhythms of November appear to amplify certain crime patterns.

The most significant month-on-month change in November 2023 was a 42.1% increase in drug-related crimes, rising from 19 to 27 incidents. This surge marks the largest percentage shift among all crime categories and may reflect heightened retail activity during the early stages of Black Friday shopping, which often coincides with increased illicit trade. Conversely, bicycle theft saw a steep 64.3% decrease, dropping from 14 to 5 incidents, possibly linked to colder weather reducing outdoor activity or improved security measures in local areas. Violence and sexual offences remained the most significant category, with a rate of 4.0 per 1,000 residents—54% above the UK average. This disparity underscores the unique challenges faced by Hastings, where the combination of public spaces, seasonal events, and local demographics may contribute to higher rates of violent crime compared to the national average. The relatively low rate of vehicle crime (0.4 per 1,000, 20% below UK average) suggests that parking infrastructure or community initiatives may be effectively mitigating this type of offence. Residents concerned about personal safety may find the 11.3% rate of criminal damage and arson particularly noteworthy, as this category is 69% above the UK average and often correlates with anti-social behaviour in residential areas.

Hastings' crime rate in November 2023 (9.2 per 1,000) marked a 13.6% decrease from the previous month's rate of 10.6 per 1,000, indicating a short-term decline in overall criminal activity. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 28 crimes per day over the 30-day period, translating to a monthly exposure rate of one reported crime for roughly every 109 residents. While this represents a downward trend from October, Hastings still maintains a crime rate that is 22.7% higher than the UK average. The local population of 91,219 residents provides context for these figures, with the 1-in-109 monthly exposure rate highlighting the frequency of crime in a relatively compact area. This rate is higher than the UK's average monthly exposure, which is not provided in the data but can be inferred to be lower given Hastings' elevated overall rate. The 13.6% month-on-month reduction may reflect seasonal factors such as the winding down of festive events or increased policing during the holiday period. However, the persistent gap between Hastings and the UK average suggests that long-term strategies addressing violent crime and anti-social behaviour may be necessary to sustain this downward trend.