Ditchling Crime Rate

Crime statistics for Ditchling, within the Lewes district, reveal a crime rate of 37.8 per 1,000 residents between January 2025 and December 2025. This figure is notably lower than the UK average of 91.6 per 1,000, suggesting a generally safer environment than many areas across the country. Despite this, understanding the specific types of crimes occurring and their trends is crucial for maintaining safety and addressing any emerging concerns. The area's safety score of 92/100 further reinforces its comparatively secure status, highlighting a positive outlook for residents. While the trend remained stable over the data period, continued monitoring and proactive measures are essential.

The most prevalent crimes reported in Ditchling between January 2025 and December 2025 were anti-social behaviour, violence and sexual offences, and burglary. Anti-social behaviour accounted for 33.0% of all reported crimes, with 32 incidents recorded. Violence and sexual offences represented 27.8% of incidents, totaling 27 crimes. Burglary, while lower in frequency than the other two, still constituted 11.3% of reported crimes, with 11 incidents. Criminal damage and arson also contributed to the overall crime picture, with 8 recorded incidents. The prevalence of these crime types reflects a complex interplay of factors including the village's proximity to larger urban areas and its demographic profile. Understanding these contributing factors is essential for targeted prevention strategies.

Crime rates in Ditchling have remained stable between January 2025 and December 2025, showing a 0.0% year-on-year change. Monthly fluctuations have occurred; for example, a spike in reported incidents was observed in April 2025 (5.1 per 1,000) and June 2025 (6.6 per 1,000), followed by a significant decrease in September 2025 (1.2 per 1,000). The lowest crime rate occurred in December 2025 (0.4 per 1,000). These variations likely reflect a combination of factors, including seasonal patterns and localised events. Continuous monitoring of these trends is crucial for proactive crime prevention.

How To Keep Safe in Ditchling

Given the prevalence of anti-social behaviour and violence and sexual offences, consider these practical steps. Firstly, be aware of your surroundings, particularly when walking alone in the evenings. Secondly, ensure your home is well-lit and secure, especially if you are concerned about burglary. Thirdly, report any suspicious activity to the police promptly, providing as much detail as possible. Finally, consider joining or supporting local neighbourhood watch schemes to foster a sense of community and shared responsibility for safety.

Crime in Ditchling tends to be distributed across various times of the day. Burglary is most frequently reported during the afternoon (12pm - 6pm), accounting for 43% of incidents. Violence and sexual offences are more common in the evening (6pm - 12am), although they are less frequent overall. Vehicle crime exhibits a pattern of increased activity overnight (12am - 6am), suggesting a vulnerability during those hours. Theft is concentrated during commercial hours, particularly in the afternoon. This distribution highlights the importance of layered security measures across all times of the day and night.

Compared to surrounding areas, Ditchling’s crime rate is significantly lower. Westmeston and Plumpton recorded no reported crimes, offering a stark contrast. Plumpton Green has a crime rate of 27.0 per 1,000, while Hassocks and Hurstpierpoint experience a higher rate of 60.7 per 1,000. These comparisons illustrate Ditchling's relative safety within the wider Lewes district and highlight the varied crime risks across the region.

Traditional CCTV systems often record footage after a burglary has occurred. However, with scOS, the focus shifts to prevention. scOS, an AI-powered home security operating system, detects threats at your property boundary, using multi-camera intelligence to watch all angles simultaneously. Its DVLA vehicle verification instantly flags suspicious vehicles, and its pattern learning identifies family members and deliveries, minimising false alarms. For example, if a vehicle approaches your property late at night without being recognised, scOS can activate lights and speakers, creating an element of surprise and deterring potential intruders. Reading crime statistics is one thing; actually stopping threats at your property line is another – scOS provides that proactive layer of protection that traditional systems simply cannot.