Peacehaven Crime Rate

Peacehaven is a secure coastal town with an overall crime rate of 74.8 per 1,000 people, significantly lower than the UK national average of 93.1. The town holds a strong safety score of 83/100, reflecting its status as a safe residential community. However, recent data shows that crime has increased by 13.8% year-over-year, which warrants closer attention. Despite this rise, the property crime rate in Peacehaven remains low at 24.5 per 1,000, compared to the UK average of 32.9. This suggests that while there has been an increase in reported incidents, the town remains a relatively safe environment for homeowners and families. The following analysis explores specific crime types and timing patterns to help residents stay informed.

Peacehaven Crime Breakdown

In Peacehaven, violence and sexual offences are the most frequent crime type, making up 36.0% of all reported incidents. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common issue at 19.2%, followed by shoplifting at 13.7%. These figures highlight that personal safety and retail-related offences are the primary focus for local law enforcement in this coastal community.

Property crime in Peacehaven occurs at a rate of 24.5 per 1,000 residents, which is well below the UK national average of 32.9. This category includes burglary, shoplifting, and vehicle crime. Within this, shoplifting is the most prevalent at 13.7%, while criminal damage and arson account for 8.2%. Burglary is relatively low at 1.6% of total crime. For residents, this suggests that while the risk of break-ins is minimal, maintaining security against opportunistic theft and vehicle-related offences is important for overall peace of mind.

Peacehaven Crime Trends

The crime trend in Peacehaven is currently increasing, with a 13.8% rise in total reported incidents year-over-year. Monthly data shows that the crime rate started at 3.8 per 1,000 residents in November 2024 and reached a significant peak of 9.3 in May 2025. While the rate has fluctuated since then, it remained as high as 8.0 in September before settling slightly to 5.3 in October 2025.

This upward trend suggests that Peacehaven is experiencing more frequent criminal activity than in previous years. While the overall crime rate remains lower than the UK average, the 13.8% increase is a notable change. For residents, this highlights the importance of maintaining good security practices and staying informed about local safety initiatives.

How To Keep Safe in Peacehaven

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Peacehaven, accounting for 36.0% of total reports. While the town remains safe, residents can enhance their security with these localized tips:

1. When walking through the town or along the coastal paths, especially after dark, stay aware of your surroundings and stick to well-lit, populated routes.
2. Be mindful in busy retail areas where shoplifting and anti-social behaviour are more likely to occur. Report any suspicious activity to local businesses or the police.
3. Ensure your home's exterior is well-lit and that all windows and doors are securely locked, particularly at night when vehicle crime and burglary risk—though low—are at their highest relative percentages.
4. If you own a vehicle, ensure no valuables are left on display, as vehicle crime is most likely to occur overnight.
5. Join the local Peacehaven Neighbourhood Watch to stay informed about any specific crime trends or safety alerts in your immediate area.

Peacehaven Crime Time Patterns

Crime in Peacehaven follows a clear daily cycle. During the morning (6am-12pm), theft-related offences are prominent, making up 42% of reports. This trend intensifies in the afternoon (12pm-6pm), where theft accounts for 48% of crimes, likely driven by activity in the town's retail and commercial sectors.

In the evening (6pm-12am), there is a significant shift, with 'other' crimes—including anti-social behaviour and public order offences—accounting for 61% of the total. Night-time (12am-6am) sees the highest relative risk for vehicle crime (35%) and burglary (12%). For residents, this indicates that while daytime vigilance is needed in shopping areas, residential security for homes and vehicles is most critical during the late evening and overnight hours.

In the context of the local coastal area, Peacehaven sits between several different safety profiles. To the west, Telscombe Cliffs (51.6) and East Saltdean (24.6) report lower crime rates, reflecting their smaller populations and residential nature. To the east, Newhaven has a much higher crime rate of 116.4. Peacehaven’s rate of 74.8 reflects its larger urban footprint and retail centre, which naturally attracts more activity than its smaller neighbours but remains a safer alternative to the busier port of Newhaven.

Proactive Protection for Peacehaven Homes

Peacehaven's property crime rate of 24.5 per 1,000 is well below the national average, but the recent 13.8% increase in overall crime highlights the importance of effective security. Traditional security measures, such as doorbell cameras or basic CCTV, are reactive—they provide footage of a crime after it has occurred. For Peacehaven residents, the goal should be to prevent an incident from happening in the first place.

The scOS AI-powered home security system offers a proactive solution. By using multi-camera intelligence, scOS monitors your property's perimeter and identifies potential threats before they reach your home. Its AI can distinguish between a delivery person and a genuine threat, and its autonomous response—such as activating lights or audio—can deter an intruder within 60 seconds. For Peacehaven residents, this means moving beyond just having 'footage of a burglary' to actually preventing it. Professional-grade AI protection ensures that your home remains a hardened target, even if local crime trends fluctuate, providing true peace of mind.