Rural Lewes Crime Rate

Crime statistics for Rural Lewes, covering the period from January 2025 to December 2025, indicate a crime rate of 43.7 per 1,000 residents. This figure is notably lower than the UK average of 91.6 per 1,000, and reflects a higher safety score of 89 out of 100 compared to the UK’s average of 79. While the overall safety picture appears positive, the prevalence of violence and sexual offences (19.5 per 1,000) requires consideration. The crime rate has remained stable, showing a 3.5% year-on-year change, with monthly fluctuations observed throughout the data period. Understanding these trends and specific crime types is crucial for assessing safety and implementing preventative measures.

Crime statistics for Rural Lewes reveal a concerning prevalence of violence and sexual offences, accounting for nearly half (44.6%) of recorded incidents. Anti-social behaviour represents the second most significant category, followed by other theft. While the overall property crime rate is relatively low at 10.3 per 1,000 residents, the concentration of violent crime warrants attention. Other theft includes a range of offenses, from minor shoplifting to more significant burglaries. The presence of public order offences and criminal damage also contribute to the overall picture, reflecting potential challenges within the community. Understanding these patterns requires considering the area's unique characteristics, which include a lower population density and a rural setting.

The crime rate in Rural Lewes has remained relatively stable between January 2025 and December 2025, showing a 3.5% year-on-year change. Monthly fluctuations are observed, with peaks in February and May (4.6 per 1,000/month) and troughs in September (2.6 per 1,000/month). These variations likely reflect seasonal factors and local events. While the overall trend is stable, ongoing monitoring and proactive crime prevention measures are essential to maintain the area's relatively high safety score.

How To Keep Safe in Rural Lewes

Given the prevalence of violence and sexual offences, it's vital to remain vigilant when out alone, particularly during the evening. Secure your property thoroughly, including windows and doors, and consider installing motion-activated lighting. Be aware of your surroundings and trust your instincts – if a situation feels uncomfortable, remove yourself from it. Report any suspicious activity to the police promptly. Finally, join or support local neighbourhood watch schemes to foster a sense of community and shared responsibility for safety.

Criminal activity in Rural Lewes demonstrates distinct patterns throughout the day. Burglary is most likely to occur during the morning (9%) and afternoon (15%), with a slight increase during the evening (15%). Vehicle crime is more prevalent overnight (43%), particularly between 12am and 6am. Theft tends to be concentrated during commercial hours, with a higher incidence in the afternoon (54%). While violence is relatively uncommon, it is most likely to occur during the evening (0%) and night (0%), particularly on weekends. These patterns highlight the need for targeted security measures and increased vigilance during specific times.

Compared to similar areas in East Sussex, Rural Lewes generally exhibits a lower crime rate. Neighbouring villages and smaller towns often have higher rates of anti-social behaviour and vehicle crime, while larger towns tend to see a greater prevalence of shoplifting. The lower population density of Rural Lewes contributes to a feeling of safety, but also presents unique challenges in terms of policing and community engagement.

Traditional CCTV systems offer a reactive approach – recording footage after a crime has occurred. However, in Rural Lewes, where opportunistic crime can be a concern, a proactive system like scOS offers a significantly enhanced level of protection. scOS utilizes AI to detect threats at your property boundary, preventing burglaries before they happen. Its multi-camera intelligence system watches all cameras simultaneously, while DVLA vehicle verification instantly flags suspicious vehicles. The system’s pattern learning feature recognises your family and deliveries, only alerting you to genuine threats, and its autonomous response – lights activating, speakers engaging – creates a powerful deterrent. The right security system isn't just about recording what's happened; it's about stopping it from happening in the first place.