Seaford Crime Rate

Seaford is one of the safest coastal towns in the region, with an overall crime rate of 49.7 per 1,000 people—nearly half the UK national average of 93.1. The town boasts an exceptional safety score of 89/100, reflecting its status as a secure and peaceful community. Recent data shows a positive trend, with total crime decreasing by 5.1% year-over-year. Property crime is particularly low at 14.9 per 1,000, compared to the UK average of 32.9. This high level of security, combined with a downward trend in criminal activity, makes Seaford a highly desirable location for residents and families seeking a safe environment by the sea. The following sections provide a detailed analysis of local crime types and timing patterns.

Seaford Crime Breakdown

Analysis of the crime data for Seaford reveals that violence and sexual offences are the most common reports, making up 34.6% of the total. Anti-social behaviour is the second most frequent issue at 19.2%, followed by shoplifting at 11.0%. These figures are typical for a coastal town, where public order and retail-related offences often feature prominently in local statistics.

Property crime in Seaford is relatively low, with a rate of 14.9 per 1,000 residents. This includes burglary, vehicle crime, and various forms of theft. Specifically, burglary accounts for only 2.0% of total crime, while vehicle crime is also low at 2.6%. For residents and homeowners, this suggests that while the overall environment is very safe, attention should still be paid to shoplifting and anti-social behaviour in commercial areas. The low burglary rate is a strong indicator of the town's residential security, though proactive measures remain beneficial to maintain these high standards.

Seaford Crime Trends

The crime trend in Seaford is currently decreasing, with a 5.1% reduction in total reported incidents year-over-year. A detailed look at the monthly data shows that the crime rate was at its lowest in November 2024 at 3.3 per 1,000 residents. It then saw a gradual increase through the spring and summer, peaking at 5.0 in August 2025. Following this seasonal peak, the rate began to decline again, reaching 4.0 in October 2025.

This seasonal pattern is common in coastal towns, where increased visitor numbers during the summer months often lead to higher crime reporting. However, the overall annual decrease of 5.1% indicates that Seaford is becoming even safer. For residents, this downward trend, combined with the town's already low crime rate, provides strong evidence of a safe and improving security environment.

How To Keep Safe in Seaford

Violence and sexual offences are the most frequent crime type in Seaford, representing 34.6% of total reports. While the town is very safe, residents can follow these localized tips to further enhance their security:

1. When walking along the seafront or through the town centre, especially during the evening, stay aware of your surroundings and stick to well-lit paths.
2. If you are out late, consider using the town's main thoroughfares and avoid isolated areas like the cliffs or quiet backstreets after dark.
3. Be mindful in busy shopping areas where shoplifting and anti-social behaviour are more likely to occur. Report any suspicious activity to local businesses or the police.
4. Ensure your home is well-secured, particularly at night when vehicle crime and burglary percentages are slightly higher. Simple steps like motion-sensor lighting can be very effective.
5. Participate in local community safety initiatives or Neighbourhood Watch schemes to stay informed about any specific issues in your immediate neighbourhood.

Seaford Crime Time Patterns

Crime in Seaford follows distinct temporal patterns throughout the day. The morning hours (6am-12pm) are characterised by theft-related offences, which make up 52% of crimes during this period. This trend intensifies in the afternoon (12pm-6pm), where theft accounts for 57% of reports, likely linked to the town's retail and commercial activity.

As evening approaches (6pm-12am), the focus shifts towards 'other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order offences, which comprise 50% of the total. Night-time (12am-6am) sees a notable rise in vehicle-related crime, making up 33% of incidents during these hours. Burglary also peaks slightly during the night and evening periods. For residents, this suggests that while theft is a daytime concern in commercial zones, residential and vehicle security should be the priority during the late evening and overnight hours.

When comparing Seaford to its immediate neighbours, it stands out as a particularly safe urban settlement. To the west, Newhaven has a significantly higher crime rate of 116.4 per 1,000, while Peacehaven also reports a higher rate of 74.8. Smaller nearby villages like Alfriston (39.1) and East Dean and Friston (33.3) have lower rates, which is typical for less populated areas. Seaford’s rate of 49.7 is impressive for a town of its size, offering a level of security that rivals much smaller rural communities while providing the amenities of a larger coastal settlement. This makes Seaford a premier choice for safety-conscious residents in the Lewes district.

Proactive Security for Seaford Homes

Seaford's property crime rate of 14.9 per 1,000 is exceptionally low, but for those who want to maintain this high level of security, proactive protection is essential. Traditional security systems, like doorbell cameras or basic CCTV, are reactive—they record a crime as it happens. In a town as safe as Seaford, the goal of security should be to ensure your home never becomes an easy target for the few opportunistic crimes that do occur.

The scOS AI-powered home security system offers a proactive alternative. By using multi-camera intelligence, scOS monitors your property's perimeter and identifies potential threats before they reach your door. Its AI can distinguish between a delivery person and a suspicious loiterer, and its autonomous response—such as activating lights or audio—can deter an intruder within 60 seconds. For Seaford residents, this means moving beyond just having 'footage of a burglary' to actually preventing it. Professional-grade AI protection ensures that your home remains as safe as the community surrounding it, providing true peace of mind.