Lewes Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Lewes recorded a crime rate of 5.2 per 1,000 residents in January 2024, a figure that places it 29.7% below the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000. This sustained gap from national levels reflects a combination of local factors, including a strong focus on community policing and the area’s unique demographic and geographic profile. The most prevalent crimes in January were violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 30.7% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (13.8%) and shoplifting (12.2%). The seasonal context of January—characterised by post-holiday periods, reduced retail footfall, and shorter days—likely contributed to some of these patterns. For instance, the decline in vehicle crime by 44% compared to the previous month may be partly explained by colder weather and reduced outdoor activity, which typically deters certain types of crime. However, the sharp rise in shoplifting and theft from the person highlights potential vulnerabilities in public spaces and retail environments during this time of year. While the overall crime rate remains relatively low compared to the UK average, the specific increases in certain categories—particularly theft-related offences—warrant attention from residents and local authorities alike. These trends may be influenced by a mix of seasonal factors, economic conditions, and the area’s distinct characteristics, such as its historical retail presence and the presence of local amenities that could attract transient populations during peak periods.

January 2024 saw sharp increases in specific crime categories, theft from the person, which surged by 150% (from 2 to 5 incidents). This spike, though small in absolute terms, highlights a potential vulnerability in public safety during the post-holiday period. Shoplifting also rose dramatically, increasing by 140.7% (from 27 to 65 incidents), a jump that may reflect seasonal shifts in retail footfall or targeted criminal activity in high-traffic areas. Meanwhile, drug-related offences rose by 90.9%, with 21 incidents reported—a figure that, while still below the UK average of 0.2 per 1,000, suggests a growing concern in certain pockets of the district. These increases contrast with declines in other areas: vehicle crime fell by 44% (from 25 to 14), and criminal damage and arson dropped by 28.6% (from 56 to 40), possibly linked to reduced outdoor activity during shorter winter days. The breakdown of crimes shows a 30.7% share of violent offences, a category where Lewes’ rate of 1.6 per 1,000 is 38% below the UK average, indicating a lower risk of violent crime compared to national trends.

Lewes' crime rate in January 2024 rose by 3.4% compared to December 2023, moving from 5.1 to 5.2 crimes per 1,000 residents. While this marks a slight upward trend, the overall rate remains 29.7% below the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 17 reported crimes each day in January, a figure that, while locally contextual, underscores the ongoing presence of crime in everyday life. When scaled to the population, this translates to one reported crime for roughly every 191 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure figure, though not directly comparable to national data, provides a tangible sense of how frequently crime intersects with the lives of Lewes residents. The relatively low rate compared to the UK average suggests a combination of local factors—such as community policing efforts, demographic characteristics, and the area’s geographic profile—may be contributing to this sustained gap.