Lewes Crime Rate August 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Lewes recorded a crime rate of 6.1 per 1,000 residents in August 2025, marking a 24.7% reduction compared to the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. This figure places the district among the safer local authority areas in England and Wales. The breakdown of crime types reveals that violence and sexual offences accounted for the largest share of incidents at 33.6%, followed by anti-social behaviour at 23.9%. These figures are consistent with the area's profile as a mixed urban-rural district, where high foot traffic in the town centre and historical sites may contribute to higher rates of violent crime. Seasonal factors in August, including the peak of the summer holiday season, may have influenced the crime profile, although the overall rate remains lower than the UK average. Property-related crimes such as shoplifting and vehicle crime were significantly below national averages, with shoplifting at 37% below the UK rate and vehicle crime at 74% below. This contrast with the higher proportion of violent crime suggests a combination of local demographics and environmental factors. The seasonal context of August, characterised by increased tourism and the potential for empty homes, may have created conditions that both deter and attract certain types of criminal activity. However, the overall trend of lower crime rates compared to the UK average indicates effective policing or community-based initiatives that have contributed to the area's relative safety.

August 2025 saw the most dramatic month-on-month change in the possession of weapons category, which surged by 75% from 4 to 7 incidents. This sharp increase contrasts with a 42.9% drop in robbery cases, which fell from 7 to 4. The reduction in shoplifting, down 35.8% to 43 incidents, suggests a possible shift in criminal activity patterns during the month. Violence and sexual offences remained the most common crime type, accounting for 33.6% of all reported incidents, but their rate was 30% below the UK average. Meanwhile, bicycle theft rose by 66.7%, from 3 to 5 cases, a figure that may reflect increased cycling during the summer months. Anti-social behaviour, the second most frequent category, was 3% above the UK average, highlighting a localised challenge that requires targeted intervention. These fluctuations illustrate the dynamic nature of crime in Lewes, with some categories showing marked improvement while others require closer attention.

Lewes' crime rate in August 2025 fell to 6.1 per 1,000 residents, a 12.6% decrease from July's 6.9 per 1,000. This decline aligns with a broader trend observed in the area's crime statistics over recent months. On a daily basis, the district recorded approximately 20 crimes per day in August, a figure that provides a tangible sense of the local context. When considering the population-scaled perspective, the monthly exposure rate of one reported crime for every 165 residents highlights the relatively low frequency of incidents compared to the UK average. This statistic, while not directly comparable to national figures, offers residents a clear indicator of the local crime environment. The reduction in crime may reflect seasonal factors, such as the end of the summer tourist season, which often correlates with lower reported incidents in similar areas. However, a direct causal link, as other variables such as community engagement or policing strategies could also contribute to this trend.