Lewes Crime Rate September 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences accounted for 35% of all reported crimes in Lewes during September 2024, making this the dominant category driving the local crime profile. With a total crime rate of 5.9 per 1,000 residents, Lewes recorded 23.4% fewer crimes than the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. The rise in violence and sexual offences—up 22.5% from August—aligns with the seasonal context of September, a month marked by the return to school, university freshers, and the transition to shorter evenings. This period often sees increased social activity in Lewes' town centre, which may contribute to higher incidents of alcohol-fuelled violence. Anti-social behaviour followed as the second most common category at 17.2% of total crimes, reflecting persistent issues in public spaces. Shoplifting, at 13.9% of all crimes, saw a notable surge, likely tied to the retail activity of the town's historic market and the influx of students during freshers' week. While property crimes collectively made up 34.6% of the total, the category showing the most striking contrast to the UK average was vehicle crime, which was 56% below the national rate. This could be attributed to Lewes' relatively low population density and the absence of large-scale car parks that often accompany high-volume urban centres. The overall crime rate, though stable compared to August, remains significantly lower than the UK average, suggesting that Lewes' unique character as a historic market town with a mix of residential and commercial areas may inherently support lower crime levels.

September 2024 saw a 64.7% increase in shoplifting compared to August, with 84 incidents reported—marking the highest monthly total for this category in the past year. This surge may be linked to the heightened foot traffic in Lewes' town centre during freshers' week and the ongoing retail season. Meanwhile, violence and sexual offences rose by 22.5%, from 173 to 212 incidents, a figure that is 20% below the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000. This contrast suggests that while Lewes experiences a seasonal uptick in violent crime, its overall rate remains lower than the national benchmark. On the other hand, burglary fell by 40%, from 30 to 18 incidents, a trend consistent with broader patterns in Lewes where property crimes are generally lower than the UK average. Bicycle theft also dropped by 60%, from 5 to 2, possibly reflecting increased awareness among cyclists or the impact of local initiatives not explicitly mentioned in the data. Shoplifting's 18% above the UK average rate of 0.7 per 1,000 highlights a local challenge in retail areas, where targeted enforcement may be needed. A resident could find the 64.7% increase in shoplifting particularly noteworthy, as it directly impacts local businesses and underscores the need for continued vigilance in high-traffic zones.

Lewes' crime rate in September 2024 (5.9 per 1,000) was stable compared to August's rate of 6.0 per 1,000, indicating no significant month-on-month shift in overall crime levels. This stability contrasts with the UK average, where Lewes' rate remains 23.4% below the national figure. Daily crime statistics show that Lewes experienced approximately 20 crimes per day in September, a figure that, while seemingly high, translates to a monthly exposure of one crime for every 169 residents—a rate that is lower than the UK average. This population-scaled perspective reveals that Lewes' residents face a lower risk of encountering crime compared to the national average, despite the seasonal fluctuations observed in specific categories. The 1-in-169 figure underscores the effectiveness of local policing strategies, particularly in managing violent crime and anti-social behaviour, which together account for over 50% of all reported incidents. However, the 18% above UK average rate for shoplifting suggests a specific vulnerability in Lewes' retail environment that may warrant targeted interventions. These comparisons highlight both the strengths and challenges of Lewes' crime profile, offering residents a nuanced understanding of their local safety context.