Lewes Crime Rate February 2025 | Monthly Statistics

In February 2025, Lewes recorded a crime rate of 4.9 per 1,000 residents, placing it 26.9% below the UK average of 6.7 per 1,000. This figure, while showing a 9% monthly increase from January, remains in line with the area’s historical position as a historically safer region. The crime profile reflects a mix of urban and rural characteristics typical of a market town with a strong retail core and older residential areas. Violence and sexual offences dominated the breakdown, accounting for 38.4% of all crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (14.5%) and public order offences (8.9%). The seasonal context of February—a winter month with low outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull—likely contributes to the lower volume of property crimes compared to warmer months. However, the persistent presence of violent crime suggests ongoing challenges in community safety that may be linked to local demographics or social dynamics. The lower-than-average rates for shoplifting and vehicle crime align with the area’s relatively compact layout and reduced commercial foot traffic during winter. While the overall rate remains below the UK average, the rise in weapons possession and shoplifting highlights areas requiring targeted intervention.

February saw a 78.3% increase in shoplifting, rising from 23 to 41 incidents, a shift that may reflect seasonal retail activity or targeted enforcement efforts. Possession of weapons also surged by 114.3%, jumping from 7 to 15 cases, a figure that significantly exceeds the UK average by 233%. This spike could indicate heightened police visibility or unexplained trends in weapon-related incidents. Conversely, vehicle crime dropped 36.4% to 14 cases, likely linked to reduced outdoor activity during winter months. Drug-related crimes also fell by 18.8%, aligning with broader patterns of lower illicit activity in colder seasons. The balance between violent and property crimes remains skewed, with violence and sexual offences comprising 38.4% of all incidents—well above the UK average for this category. These fluctuations underscore the dynamic nature of local crime patterns and the importance of contextual analysis.

Lewes’ crime rate in February 2025 rose 9% from 4.5 to 4.9 per 1,000 residents compared to January, reflecting a slight upward trend. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly 18 crimes per day, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents in a localised timeframe. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 206 residents, illustrating the monthly exposure rate in a way that aligns with population density and local activity patterns. This rate remains significantly lower than the UK average, but the increase from the previous month suggests a need for continued monitoring. The population context further highlights that, despite the rise, Lewes remains comparatively safer than the national average, with crime per capita remaining well below the 6.7 per 1,000 threshold. These metrics provide a tangible snapshot for residents to assess their personal risk in relation to both local and national benchmarks.