Peacehaven Crime Rate January 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Peacehaven's crime rate in January 2025 stood at 3.6 per 1,000 residents, placing it 49.3% below the UK average of 7.1. This marked a significant shift from the previous month, though the overall trend reflects a consistently low crime profile for the built-up area within Lewes. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime mix, accounting for 53.6% of all incidents (30 cases), followed by anti-social behaviour (12.5%) and other theft (8.9%). The seasonal context of January—characterised by post-holiday periods, reduced retail footfall, and shorter daylight hours—likely contributed to the lower volume of outdoor crimes, particularly shoplifting, which fell sharply compared to December. The area’s proximity to coastal tourism hubs may explain the relatively low rates of property crime, as transient populations often deter burglary in high-traffic zones. However, the dominance of violent offences suggests localised factors, such as community tensions or targeted incidents, that require further analysis. The UK comparison highlights Peacehaven’s strong performance in categories like anti-social behaviour (49% below average) and public order offences (35% below average), though the rate of violence remains 24% below the national average. This suggests a combination of local demographics and broader UK trends, with Peacehaven’s relatively stable population and established community networks potentially acting as mitigating factors. The month’s data underscores the importance of maintaining targeted interventions in areas where violent crime persists, even as the overall picture remains reassuringly low.

January 2025 saw a 36.4% drop in Peacehaven’s crime rate compared to December, with the most striking change being a 93.3% decline in shoplifting. This decrease may partly explain the overall reduction in property crimes, which fell to 10 cases from a higher previous month figure. However, some categories saw notable increases: burglary, drugs offences, and 'other crime' all doubled from December levels (0 to 2 cases each). These rises, while statistically significant, remain low in absolute terms and may reflect seasonal anomalies rather than systemic trends. The rate of violence and sexual offences (1.9 per 1,000) remains 24% below the UK average, but the category’s dominance—accounting for over half of all crimes—raises questions about localised factors. Anti-social behaviour, at 0.5 per 1,000, was 49% below the UK average, suggesting effective community policing or social cohesion. A resident would find the 93.3% drop in shoplifting particularly noteworthy, as it indicates a potential shift in retail crime patterns during the post-holiday period. The absence of any increase in violent crime, despite the rise in some other categories, reinforces the idea that Peacehaven’s crime profile remains distinct from national averages. This contrast is especially evident in categories like criminal damage and arson, which fell by 83.3% compared to December, highlighting the seasonality of certain offences.

Peacehaven’s crime rate in January 2025 (3.6 per 1,000) represents a 36.4% decrease from December’s 5.7 per 1,000, underscoring a marked improvement in public safety. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 2 crimes per day—equivalent to roughly one crime for every 276 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate is exceptionally low, placing residents in a position where crime is statistically rare compared to the UK average. The population-scaled perspective is critical: with 15,459 residents, the 56 recorded crimes translate to a manageable burden on local policing resources. This contrasts sharply with larger urban centres, where higher population densities often correlate with elevated crime rates. The comparison to the UK average reveals Peacehaven’s strength in categories like anti-social behaviour (49% below) and public order offences (35% below), though the area’s violent crime rate remains 24% below the national average. This suggests that while Peacehaven is not immune to violent crime, its overall crime environment is significantly safer than the UK average. The relatively low rates of property crime, particularly burglary (0.1 per 1,000), may be linked to the area’s built-up character and proximity to coastal tourism hubs, where transient populations and heightened security measures act as deterrents. These comparative figures offer reassurance to residents that Peacehaven continues to perform well against national benchmarks, even as month-on-month fluctuations highlight the need for ongoing vigilance in specific categories.