Newhaven Crime Rate

Newhaven, within the Lewes district, recorded a crime rate of 117.1 per 1,000 residents between January 2025 and December 2025. This figure is higher than the UK average of 91.6 per 1,000, indicating a heightened risk of crime within the area. While the overall safety score stands at 74/100, it remains slightly below the UK average of 79/100. Over the reporting period, crime has been decreasing, showing a year-on-year decrease of 5.4%. This suggests a positive trend, although further monitoring is needed to confirm the sustainability of this improvement. Understanding the specifics of crime within Newhaven is vital for residents and local authorities.

Newhaven presents a concerning picture regarding crime statistics, with Violence and Sexual Offences being the most prevalent at 573 incidents, representing 34.2% of all reported crimes. This is followed by Anti-social Behaviour (312 incidents, 18.6%), and Shoplifting (173 incidents, 10.3%). Overall property crime accounts for 35.6 per 1,000 residents annually. The prevalence of violence and sexual offences highlights a potential need for increased community safety initiatives and targeted interventions. The significant number of shoplifting incidents suggests challenges within the local retail environment, possibly related to economic factors or security measures. Addressing these key crime types is crucial for improving the overall safety and wellbeing of Newhaven’s residents.

The crime rate in Newhaven has been steadily decreasing, showing a 5.4% year-on-year reduction. This positive trend is reflected in the monthly data, with crime rates fluctuating but generally trending downwards. For example, January 2025 recorded 8.3 incidents per 1,000 residents, while December 2025 recorded 10.1 incidents per 1,000. While some months, like March and April, saw a temporary spike, the overall trajectory demonstrates a welcome improvement in safety. Continued monitoring and proactive crime prevention strategies are vital to sustain this positive momentum.

How To Keep Safe in Newhaven

Given the prevalence of violence and sexual offences, it's vital to be aware of your surroundings, especially when out alone at night. Avoid walking in poorly lit areas and consider travelling with others. Shoplifting is also a common concern, so be vigilant when carrying valuables and report any suspicious activity. Vehicle crime requires you to park in well-lit areas and consider using a steering wheel lock. Finally, secure your home by ensuring doors and windows are locked and consider installing an alarm system, moving beyond reactive systems to proactive solutions.

Crimes in Newhaven tend to occur across different times of the day, though patterns emerge when considering the type of crime. During the morning (6am-12pm), theft is a more common issue, accounting for 43% of incidents. The afternoon (12pm-6pm) sees a continuation of theft, representing 47% of incidents. In the evening (6pm-12am), a shift occurs with 18% of incidents related to theft. However, the night (12am-6am) exhibits a notable increase in vehicle crime (28%) and burglary (17%), suggesting heightened vulnerability during these hours. This underscores the importance of vigilance and security measures throughout the day and night.

Newhaven's crime rate sits higher than several neighbouring areas. Peacehaven, with a rate of 77.0 per 1,000, presents a considerably lower risk. Telscombe Cliffs (52.5 per 1,000) and Seaford (48.5 per 1,000) also demonstrate significantly lower crime rates. Conversely, Rodmell’s reported crime rate of 0.0 per 1,000 suggests a particularly safe environment. These comparisons highlight the varying levels of safety across the Lewes district and provide context for Newhaven's position.

Traditional CCTV systems often provide footage after a burglary has occurred. Reading crime statistics is one thing; actually stopping threats at your property line is another. scOS, an AI-powered home security operating system, offers a proactive approach. It uses multi-camera intelligence to watch your property continuously, verifying vehicles with the DVLA and learning your family’s routines to differentiate genuine threats from normal activity. The element of surprise, often crucial for deterring criminals, is restored through autonomous responses like automated lights and speaker warnings. Most burglars decide within 60 seconds – the visible deterrence of scOS often makes them move on. If you’re looking for more than just recording footage, scOS provides a different level of protection.