Lewes Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In Lewes, the crime rate of 4.8 per 1,000 residents in February 2024 translates to a 1-in-211 chance of experiencing a reported crime over the course of the month, a figure that contextualises the daily risk for residents in a way that is both tangible and reassuring. This rate is 32.4% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000, a disparity that highlights the area’s generally lower exposure to crime compared to other parts of the country. The most common crime types were violence and sexual offences (33.3% of all incidents), followed by anti-social behaviour (15.2%) and shoplifting (11.7%). These patterns align with Lewes’ character as a historic town with a mix of residential and retail areas, where interpersonal conflicts and anti-social behaviour may be more prevalent due to community density, while shoplifting reflects the presence of local businesses. Seasonal context also plays a role: February, a winter month with reduced outdoor activity, likely contributed to the relatively low overall rate, though the slight increase in violent crime compared to the previous month suggests that social dynamics—such as the end of school holidays or changes in social gatherings—may have influenced this category. The area’s crime profile, while showing some localised challenges, remains broadly consistent with the notion of a safer, lower-crime environment, particularly when compared to the UK average.

February 2024 saw a notable shift in crime patterns, with possession of weapons rising by 50% compared to the previous month, increasing from six to nine incidents. This jump, though small in absolute terms, suggests a potential uptick in tensions or unreported issues that warrant attention. Meanwhile, burglary rates fell sharply by 59.3%, from 27 to 11, a trend consistent with seasonal factors such as reduced foot traffic and fewer opportunities for opportunistic theft. The breakdown of crime types also reveals a mixed picture: while shoplifting and public order offences remained slightly above the UK average, other theft and vehicle crime were significantly below national levels, reflecting the area’s lower exposure to these categories. This contrast underscores the influence of Lewes’ character—likely a mix of historic town centres and suburban areas—where property crime is less prevalent but interpersonal disputes and retail-related incidents persist at moderate levels.

Lewes’ crime rate in February 2024 fell to 4.8 per 1,000 residents, a 9.2% drop from the previous month’s 5.2 per 1,000. This decline aligns with the seasonal lull typical of winter months, when outdoor activity diminishes and community interactions shift indoors. On a daily basis, the area recorded 17 crimes per day, a figure that, while local to Lewes, contextualises the pace of incidents in a way that highlights the relative safety of the district compared to other parts of the UK. Over the course of February, the monthly exposure rate—1 reported crime for every 211 residents—illustrates that the likelihood of encountering crime is low for most individuals. This statistic, when paired with the area’s overall rate being 32.4% below the UK average, reinforces the perception of Lewes as a safer place to live. However, the comparison also reveals that certain crime types, such as shoplifting and public order offences, remain slightly above the UK average, suggesting that specific local factors—like retail density or social dynamics—may still influence these categories.