Lewes Crime Rate September 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated Lewes’ crime profile in September 2023, accounting for 36.9% of all reported crimes. With a total crime rate of 5.9 per 1,000 residents, the area remained 26.2% below the UK average, a consistent trend that reflects broader safety measures or demographic factors. The prominence of violent crime may be linked to the area’s mix of residential and commercial spaces, compounded by the seasonal influx of students returning to local universities and the start of the academic year. Anti-social behaviour and public order offences followed closely, making up 18.8% and 9.4% of reported crimes, respectively. These figures may be influenced by the social dynamics of Lewes, a historic market town with a mix of older and newer communities. The lower-than-average rates for property crimes such as burglary (38% below the UK average) and shoplifting (64% below) suggest that targeted efforts in retail areas or community engagement have had a measurable impact. However, the seasonal context of September—marking the return to education and the onset of darker evenings—may contribute to increased reports of violence and anti-social behaviour, though this remains a likely rather than certain explanation. The overall picture illustrates a relatively safe area with notable regional differences in crime patterns, shaped by both local initiatives and broader societal trends.

September saw a 150% increase in robbery, rising from 4 to 10 incidents, and a 100% rise in bicycle theft, with numbers doubling from 5 to 10. These spikes may reflect the influx of students and freshers returning to the area. Conversely, shoplifting fell by 62.5% (48 to 18), a significant drop that could indicate improved security measures or a shift in criminal activity. Violent crime remained 20% below the UK average at 2.2 per 1,000, while anti-social behaviour was 18% below the national rate. Theft from the person and possession of weapons were 100% below the UK average, suggesting strong local policing or community initiatives. The mix of crime types reveals a focus on violent and disorderly offences, which accounted for over half of all reported crimes in the month.

Lewes recorded a crime rate of 5.9 per 1,000 residents in September 2023, a 7.5% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 6.4 per 1,000. This represents a continued downward trend, with the area remaining 26.2% below the UK average. Daily crime statistics show an average of 20 crimes per day across the month, a figure that may help residents contextualise the frequency of incidents in their local environment. Over the course of September, one reported crime occurred for every 169 residents, a monthly exposure rate that highlights the relatively low level of crime compared to the UK. When scaled to the local population of 102,363, this suggests that the majority of residents are unlikely to experience crime directly, though targeted areas may see higher concentrations. The reduction in overall crime aligns with broader patterns observed in the area, though seasonal factors such as the start of the academic year may influence local crime dynamics.