South Chailey Crime Rate

South Chailey Crime Statistics

South Chailey is a secure Sussex village with a safety score of 85/100. The area's overall crime rate is 49.9 per 1,000 people per year, which is significantly lower than the UK national average of 93.1. In a positive development for the community, South Chailey has seen a decreasing trend in reported incidents, with a 12.7% reduction year-over-year. This downward trajectory reinforces the area's status as a safe residential environment. The local crime profile is highly specific, with a high proportion of personal offences but an exceptionally low rate of property crime, including a zero-burglary rate in recent data. This report provides a detailed breakdown of South Chailey's crime types, monthly trends, and safety patterns to help residents understand their local environment.

Crime in South Chailey

The crime profile of South Chailey is uniquely dominated by violence and sexual offences, which account for an exceptionally high 63.6% of all reported incidents. This equates to a rate of 31.8 per 1,000 residents. Other theft is the second most common category at 9.1%, followed by anti-social behaviour at 7.3%.

Property-related crime in South Chailey—which includes burglary, vehicle crime, theft, and criminal damage—has a combined rate of 9.1 per 1,000 people. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.9, suggesting that residents face a relatively low risk of traditional property crime. Notably, burglary is absent from the current data across all time periods, which is an excellent indicator of residential security. However, vehicle crime does emerge as a factor during the night-time hours, accounting for 38% of offences between 12am and 6am. For residents, the statistics show that while personal offences are the primary statistical driver of crime, property security remains high, with only vehicles showing a specific temporal vulnerability overnight.

South Chailey Crime Trends

South Chailey is currently experiencing a positive trend in its safety profile, with a 12.7% decrease in total crime year-over-year. This reduction is a welcome contrast to many other parts of the region. Monthly data shows that the crime rate per 1,000 residents fluctuated significantly throughout the year. The lowest rates were recorded in December 2024 (0.9) and September 2025 (0.9).

There were notable spikes in activity during the spring and summer, with the rate reaching 8.2 in March 2025 and a yearly peak of 11.8 in July 2025. However, following the July high, the rate dropped sharply and has remained low. The most recent data from October 2025 shows a rate of 1.8. This overall downward trajectory, combined with the recent low monthly figures, suggests that South Chailey is becoming an increasingly secure place to live.

How To Keep Safe in South Chailey

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in South Chailey, accounting for 63.6% of all reports. While property crime is very low, personal safety and vehicle security remain important.

1. Secure Vehicles Overnight: Vehicle crime accounts for 38% of night-time offences. Ensure your car is locked, valuables are removed, and it is parked in a well-lit area or garage whenever possible.
2. Personal Safety Awareness: Given the high proportion of personal offences, stay aware of your surroundings when walking alone, particularly at night. Stick to well-lit routes and keep a mobile phone handy.
3. Protect Against Theft: 'Other theft' accounts for 9.1% of crime. Avoid leaving expensive gardening equipment, bicycles, or parcels unsecured in front gardens or driveways.
4. Report Anti-social Behaviour: ASB makes up 7.3% of reports. Reporting these incidents helps local police identify patterns and prevent them from escalating.
5. Install Motion Lighting: Even with zero burglaries, motion-activated lighting is a simple and effective deterrent against opportunistic theft and vandalism around your home.

Crime Timing in South Chailey

Crime in South Chailey follows a distinct temporal pattern where theft-related offences are concentrated during the day, while vehicle crime becomes a factor at night. During the morning and afternoon, theft accounts for 76% and 83% of reported incidents respectively. This suggests that opportunistic crime is most common when the village is active or residents are away from home.

As the day transitions into the night, the nature of crime shifts toward property. Between 12am and 6am, vehicle crime accounts for 38% of all recorded offences, its highest proportion of any time period. Notably, burglary remains at 0% across all recorded time slots, which is an exceptional indicator of residential security in South Chailey. For residents, the data highlights that while their homes are very secure, their vehicles are at a specific risk during the overnight hours. Prioritizing vehicle security at night and staying vigilant about personal property during the day are the most effective ways to maintain safety in the village.

Local Context and Comparisons

In the regional context of the Lewes local authority, South Chailey is a relatively active but safe settlement. Its crime rate of 49.9 per 1,000 people is almost identical to that of North Chailey (44.2) and significantly lower than Ringmer (70.3). It is more active than the quieter villages of Newick (23.0) and Barcombe Cross (29.9). Nearby Wivelsfield Green reported no crimes at all, highlighting that South Chailey is a more established urban centre within its immediate rural surroundings. Despite being more active than some neighbours, its 12.7% decrease in crime and high safety score of 85 make it a very secure choice compared to the UK average safety score of 78.

Proactive Security in South Chailey

South Chailey currently enjoys an exceptionally low property crime rate of 9.1 per 1,000, with burglary recorded at zero. To maintain this high level of security, residents should consider proactive measures rather than reactive ones. Traditional CCTV systems often only provide footage of an incident after it has occurred, which is of little use if the goal is to prevent crime entirely.

The scOS security operating system offers a proactive approach by using AI to monitor your property's perimeter in real-time. In a village like South Chailey, where property crime is rare, any unusual activity is a clear warning sign. scOS can identify potential threats at the boundary and respond autonomously—using lights and sound to deter an intruder—before they can attempt a break-in. This is particularly valuable for protecting vehicles, which represent 38% of the village's night-time crime. By shifting from recording to preventing, scOS helps ensure that South Chailey's zero-burglary status remains intact and that the overall downward crime trend continues. Investing in proactive protection is the most effective way to keep your home as safe as the community surrounding it.