Lewes Crime Rate March 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of over 100,000, Lewes reported 602 crimes in March 2023, translating to a crime rate of 5.9 per 1,000 residents. This rate is 22.4% below the UK average of 7.6 per 1,000, reflecting a generally safer environment compared to the national picture. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences, accounting for 37.9% of all reports, followed by public order (14.5%) and anti-social behaviour (13.1%). These figures suggest a crime profile shaped by local dynamics, such as the presence of community spaces that may contribute to public order issues or the effectiveness of local initiatives in reducing property crime. The seasonal context of March—transitioning to spring with longer evenings—could influence patterns, increasing outdoor activity and related incidents. However, the overall crime rate remains lower than the UK average, indicating that Lewes may benefit from a combination of community engagement, policing strategies, and environmental factors that deter crime. The relatively low levels of vehicle crime (38% below UK average) and bicycle theft (100% below UK average) further highlight areas where Lewes’ approach to crime prevention may be particularly effective. These trends, while encouraging, require continued monitoring to ensure sustained improvements and to address specific challenges like public order offences, which are higher than the UK average.

The crime mix in March 2023 showed a clear dominance of violent crime, with violence and sexual offences making up 37.9% of total reports. This category was 20% below the UK average, suggesting potentially lower levels of severe violence in Lewes compared to the national trend. Meanwhile, public order offences stood out as an anomaly, being 41% above the UK average. This contrast may reflect local factors such as community events or policing priorities. Other notable deviations included anti-social behaviour, which was 23% below the UK average, and bicycle theft, which was 100% below the national rate. These figures indicate a combination of local conditions and crime patterns, with some categories showing resilience against national trends. For residents, the relatively low rate of vehicle crime—38% below the UK average—may offer reassurance, though the higher public order numbers warrant attention.

Lewes recorded 602 crimes in March 2023, translating to a daily average of 19 crimes per day. This figure provides a tangible sense of the local crime profile, illustrating that roughly one crime occurs for every 170 residents over the course of the month. While the overall crime rate of 5.9 per 1,000 residents is 22.4% below the UK average, the distribution of crime types reveals a nuanced picture. For instance, public order offences are 41% above the UK average, highlighting a specific challenge in this area. Conversely, categories like vehicle crime and shoplifting are 38% and 39% below UK averages, respectively, suggesting effective local measures in those domains. The population context further underscores that even a rate of 5.9 per 1,000 is meaningful for a community of over 100,000, requiring ongoing attention to maintain current levels. Comparing this to other areas, Lewes’ lower overall rate aligns with its relatively low population density and potential for community-driven crime prevention strategies.