Lewes Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

For a resident of Lewes, the crime rate of 5.2 per 1,000 residents in February 2026 translates to a 1-in-194 chance of being involved in a reported crime over the course of the month. This figure, while low, reflects a broader pattern of safety that has characterised the area for years. Lewes' overall rate is 18.8% below the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000, a disparity that underscores the town's relative security. The most common crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 35.5% of all incidents. This category's rate of 1.8 per 1,000 is 22% below the UK average, suggesting that local factors—such as community cohesion and historic policing strategies—may contribute to this trend. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, making up 19.2% of reported crimes, a figure that is 10% above the UK average. This contrast highlights the uneven distribution of crime types, with property crimes like shoplifting and burglary remaining significantly below national levels. The seasonal context of February, a winter month with reduced outdoor activity, may partly explain the lower rates of vehicle crime and public order offences. However, the persistence of anti-social behaviour above the UK average indicates that local challenges remain, requiring targeted interventions.

February 2026 saw a 208.3% increase in 'other theft' cases, rising from 12 to 37 incidents. This sharp rise may reflect seasonal shifts in retail activity or changes in local business operations. Conversely, bicycle theft fell by 66.7% compared to the previous month, declining from six to two incidents—a drop that aligns with reduced outdoor activity during winter. The breakdown of crimes reveals a notable shift: violence and sexual offences, while still the most common category, decreased by 13.4% from 216 to 187 incidents. This category remains 22% below the UK average, reinforcing Lewes' position as a relatively safe area for violent crime. Anti-social behaviour, however, remained slightly above the UK average, with 101 incidents reported—10% higher than the national figure. This contrast highlights the combination of different crime types in the area.

Lewes' crime rate in February 2026 fell slightly to 5.2 per 1,000 residents, a 2.8% decrease from the previous month's 5.3 rate. This aligns with broader seasonal patterns observed in similar towns, where winter months often see reduced outdoor activity and lower crime rates. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 19 crimes per day, a figure that contextualises risk in everyday terms. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 194 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the relatively low frequency of incidents compared to the UK average. While this statistic is not directly comparable to national figures, it provides a tangible measure of risk for local residents. The population-scaled perspective reveals that Lewes remains significantly safer than the UK average, with its crime rate 18.8% below the national figure. This consistency with historical trends suggests that local factors—such as community policing initiatives and the town's historic character—may contribute to sustained lower crime levels.