South Chailey Crime Rate

Crime statistics for South Chailey, covering the period from January 2025 to December 2025, reveal a crime rate of 53.6 per 1,000 residents. This is notably lower than the UK average of 91.6 per 1,000, suggesting a relatively safer environment compared to the national picture. However, a concerning trend of increasing crime has been observed, with a year-on-year rise of 9.3%. While South Chailey maintains a safety score of 85/100, which is higher than the UK average of 79/100, the upward trend in crime rates warrants attention and proactive measures to ensure the continued safety and well-being of residents.

The crime landscape of South Chailey presents a concerning picture, dominated by violence and sexual offences, which account for a significant 62.7% of recorded crimes. This category alone saw 37 incidents over the period from January 2025 to December 2025. Following this, 'other theft' represents the next most prevalent crime type, with 5 recorded incidents. Anti-social behaviour also contributes noticeably, with 4 reported incidents. Overall, property crime in South Chailey stands at a rate of 8.2 per 1,000 residents annually, a figure that, while not exceptionally high, warrants attention. The nature of these crimes suggests a complex interplay of factors within the community, requiring further investigation and targeted preventative measures.

Crime in South Chailey is currently on an upward trajectory, increasing by a significant 9.3% year-on-year. This trend is reflected in monthly data, which reveals fluctuations but an overall increase in crime rates. For example, the period saw a sharp increase from January 2025 (2.7 per 1,000/month) to March 2025 (8.2 per 1,000/month), followed by a decrease in April and May. However, a spike occurred again in July 2025 (11.8 per 1,000/month), indicating a persistent challenge. While October, November, and December show a slight decrease, the overall annual rate remains elevated, underscoring the need for targeted interventions and community engagement.

How To Keep Safe in South Chailey

Given the prevalence of violence and sexual offences, it’s crucial to be aware of your surroundings, particularly when walking alone. Avoid poorly lit areas and consider walking with a friend or carrying a personal alarm. Due to the occurrence of ‘other theft,’ secure your belongings and be cautious of pickpockets in public spaces. To mitigate risks associated with anti-social behaviour, report any suspicious activity to the police. Finally, always lock your doors and windows, even when you’re at home, to deter opportunistic crime.

Criminal activity in South Chailey exhibits distinct patterns throughout the day. While burglary is rarely observed, theft is most common during afternoon hours (12pm - 6pm), accounting for 83% of incidents. Vehicle crime is notably concentrated during the night (12am - 6am), representing 38% of such occurrences. Violence and sexual offences show a peak during the evening (6pm - 12am), particularly on weekends, when they account for 39% of incidents. This highlights the importance of heightened vigilance during these specific periods.

Comparing South Chailey to its neighbours, the crime rate stands out. Plumpton Green has a crime rate of 27.0 per 1,000, Barcombe Cross 30.8 per 1,000, and North Chailey 42.1 per 1,000. Wivelsfield Green, however, reports a remarkably low rate of 0.0 per 1,000. This demonstrates that while South Chailey is relatively safer than some nearby areas, there is still room for improvement to align with the safest communities in the region.

Traditional CCTV systems often provide a recording of events after they've occurred, offering limited preventative value. Consider a proactive security system like scOS, which leverages AI to detect potential threats at your property boundary before they escalate. scOS uses multi-camera intelligence, watching all cameras simultaneously, and verifying vehicles via DVLA data, eliminating false alarms. The system learns your family's routines and recognises deliveries, only alerting you to genuine threats. The visible presence of professional-grade security, like scOS, acts as a significant deterrent – often enough to make a burglar reconsider their plans within those crucial first 60 seconds. Reading crime statistics is one thing; actively preventing threats is another.