Peacehaven Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Peacehaven's crime rate in February 2026 stood at 5.4 per 1,000 residents, placing it 15.6% below the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000. This built-up area within Lewes, characterised by its coastal location and mixed residential-commercial zones, saw a distinct pattern in criminal activity. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 38.6% of total reported crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (16.9%) and 'other crime' (9.6%). The UK average for violence and sexual offences (2.3 per 1,000) is 9% lower than Peacehaven's rate (2.1 per 1,000), suggesting a higher concentration of such incidents in this area compared to the national picture. Seasonal factors likely contributed to the overall low crime rate, as February is typically a period of reduced outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull. The dominance of violent crime over property crime (violence at 38.6% vs property at 21.7%) contrasts with broader UK trends, where property crime often exceeds violent crime. This may reflect Peacehaven's demographic profile, including a significant proportion of residents living in densely populated areas with higher foot traffic, which could contribute to incidents involving personal conflict. The relatively low levels of shoplifting (0.5 per 1,000) and burglary (0.2 per 1,000) compared to UK averages may be influenced by the area's compact layout and limited retail spaces, reducing opportunities for such crimes. However, the 'other crime' category, which includes non-specific offences, was 233% above the UK average, indicating a potential gap in categorisation or a unique local trend requiring further analysis.

February 2026 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with shoplifting increasing by 100% from zero to seven incidents, marking a significant departure from the previous month. This surge may be linked to seasonal factors, such as increased indoor activity during winter or specific retail events. Conversely, drugs-related offences fell by 57.1% (from seven to three), possibly reflecting temporary reductions in illicit activity during the colder months. Possession of weapons also rose sharply, doubling from one to two cases, a figure that is 43% above the UK average. This anomaly deserves closer attention, though can be inferred without further context. The category of 'other crime' remained 233% above the UK average, highlighting a persistent discrepancy that may relate to Peacehaven's unique legal or social dynamics. While property crimes (18 incidents) remained lower than the UK average, the breakdown shows a 21.7% share of total crimes, compared to the national average of 24.5% for property crimes. This suggests a slightly lower exposure to property-related incidents, due to the area's compact nature and limited high-value asset concentration. Residents may find the 100% increase in shoplifting particularly noteworthy, as it indicates a sudden change in retail crime patterns that could impact local businesses.

Peacehaven's crime rate in February 2026 (5.4 per 1,000) marked a 6.8% decrease from the previous month's rate of 5.8 per 1,000, indicating a modest but measurable decline in overall criminal activity. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately three crimes per day over the 28-day period, translating to a localised frequency that residents can contextualise within their daily routines. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 186 residents, a figure that provides a tangible sense of the scale of criminal exposure in this built-up area. When compared to the UK average, Peacehaven's performance is striking: its rate is 15.6% below the national figure, which suggests a combination of effective local policing, community engagement, or environmental factors that deter crime. The population-scaled perspective reveals that Peacehaven's crime profile is less severe than the UK average, with the exception of the 'other crime' category, which is 233% above the national benchmark. This contrast underscores the importance of granular analysis in understanding local crime dynamics, as broad averages can mask significant variations in specific offence types. For residents, the 1-in-186 monthly exposure figure offers a concrete benchmark against which they can assess their personal risk, while the overall rate provides a broader context for community safety planning.