Seaford Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Seaford's crime rate in January 2026 remained significantly below the UK average, sitting at 3.3 per 1,000 residents—51.5% lower than the national figure of 6.8 per 1,000. This continued performance reinforces the area's status as a relatively safe built-up area within Lewes, a coastal commuter town where crime patterns often reflect seasonal rhythms and localised factors. The top crime categories were violence and sexual offences (44.3% of all reported incidents), followed by anti-social behaviour (20.3%) and criminal damage and arson (8.9%). These figures align with the characteristics of a small coastal town, where violent crime may be driven by social interactions in the town centre, while property crimes remain proportionally low due to the area's compact nature and community-focused policing. Seasonal context suggests that January's reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours likely contributed to lower shoplifting rates (2.5% of all crimes, 82% below UK average) and fewer outdoor crimes typical of other months. However, the presence of public order offences and anti-social behaviour indicates that social dynamics in Seaford continue to shape the local crime picture in ways distinct from larger urban centres. The area's low crime profile, despite the recent 27.3% monthly increase, underscores the importance of maintaining community-focused initiatives that have historically kept crime rates at a manageable level.

January 2026 saw a dramatic 400% rise in public order offences, climbing from one to five incidents. This spike, though small in absolute terms, may partly explain the overall 27.3% monthly increase in crime rates. Other crime and possession of weapons both doubled, highlighting a shift in the nature of reported incidents. Conversely, drugs offences fell by half, as did other theft, a trend consistent with seasonal patterns in coastal areas where reduced retail footfall and shorter days may suppress certain crime types. Violence and sexual offences remained the most prevalent category, accounting for 44.3% of all crimes, though still 40% below the UK average. The area's anti-social behaviour rate (20.3%) was 25% below the UK average, a pattern likely influenced by Seaford's relatively small population and low-density housing. These fluctuations illustrate how local dynamics can shape crime trends even within a broadly low-risk environment.

Seaford's crime rate in January 2026 rose to 3.3 per 1,000 residents, a 27.3% increase from the previous month's 2.6 per 1,000. This shift, though modest in absolute terms, reflects a localised fluctuation that warrants attention. Daily crime figures show an average of three reported incidents per day across the built-up area, a relatively low frequency compared to larger urban centres. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 302 residents, a monthly exposure rate that highlights the area's generally low crime profile despite the recent uptick. The population context reinforces this: with 23,857 residents, the scale of the 79 total crimes reported remains proportionally small. This suggests that while January saw a notable increase, the overall risk to residents remains significantly below the UK average. The comparison underscores that Seaford's crime profile continues to be shaped by its character as a coastal commuter town, where seasonal patterns and localised factors often influence crime trends more than broader national averages.