Rother Crime Rate

Crime in Rother

Rother is one of the safer local authority districts in the UK, characterised by crime rates that fall well below national averages. The overall crime rate for the area is 70.8 per 1,000 people, which is significantly lower than the UK average of 93.1. This high level of safety is further evidenced by a safety score of 84/100, outperforming the UK average of 78. Furthermore, the district is currently experiencing a positive trend, with total crime decreasing by 6.8% year-over-year. These figures suggest that Rother remains a secure choice for residents and businesses alike. The following sections provide a detailed analysis of the specific crime types reported in the district and how these trends compare to the broader regional context.

About Rother

Rother is a diverse local authority district in East Sussex, encompassing a mix of historic coastal towns, rural villages, and significant areas of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The district's crime statistics are influenced by its unique geography; the coastal hub of Bexhill-on-Sea serves as the primary population and commercial centre, while the historic town of Rye attracts significant tourism. These areas naturally see higher footfall and transient populations compared to the quieter, more sparsely populated rural hinterlands.

Economic factors also play a role, with tourism providing seasonal employment and driving activity in the hospitality and retail sectors, which can correlate with specific crime types like shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. The district's transport links, including the A21 and coastal rail lines, facilitate movement but can also be corridors for cross-border criminal activity. Rother’s demographic is generally older than the UK average, which often correlates with lower rates of certain types of crime, though the district must balance the needs of its residential communities with the pressures of its popular visitor destinations.

Crime in Rother

In Rother, violence and sexual offences represent the most frequent crime category, totalling 2,380 incidents over the past year, which accounts for 35.0% of all recorded crime. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common issue at 17.7%, followed by shoplifting at 11.0%. These three categories combined make up nearly two-thirds of all reported crime in the district, indicating that public order and retail-related offences are primary concerns for local law enforcement.

Property crime in Rother—which includes burglary, robbery, theft from the person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft—occurs at a rate of 24.5 per 1,000 people. This is significantly lower than the UK average property crime rate of 32.9. Within this grouping, criminal damage and arson (10.1%) and other theft (5.5%) are the most prevalent. For residents, this suggests a lower risk of home intrusion than the national average, though the 205 recorded burglaries and 230 vehicle crimes indicate that property security remains a relevant consideration. The very low rates of robbery (0.7%) and theft from the person (0.3%) suggest that Rother is a generally safe environment for individuals carrying personal belongings in public.

Rother Crime Trends

The Rother district is currently seeing a positive shift in its safety profile, with total crime decreasing by 6.8% over the last 12 months. This reduction suggests that local policing strategies and community safety initiatives are effectively curbing criminal activity across the local authority. Examining the monthly trendData from 2024 and 2025 reveals a steady pattern with some seasonal variations.

The year began with crime rates around 5.4 in November 2024, dipping slightly to 5.0 in February 2025. As is common in coastal and tourist-heavy areas, rates began to climb during the spring and summer months, peaking at 7.0 in July 2025. However, this peak remained well below national averages. By October 2025, the rate had settled back to 6.0. This overall stability, combined with the year-on-year decrease, indicates that Rother is not only safe but is actively improving its security environment for its 96,133 residents.

Nearby Area Comparison

In the regional context of East Sussex and the Kent border, Rother's crime rate of 70.8 per 1,000 people establishes it as a relatively low-crime area. While similar areas such as Hastings, Tunbridge Wells, Wealden, Eastbourne, Ashford, and Maidstone are listed in our comparison data with rates of 0.0, this likely reflects a difference in reporting boundaries or data availability for those specific urban centres. Nationally, however, Rother consistently ranks as a safer alternative to the larger urban hubs in the South East. For those considering the region, Rother offers a balance of coastal and rural living with a safety profile that is significantly more favourable than the UK average, making it a highly desirable location for those prioritising security.

Proactive Protection in Rother

While Rother enjoys a lower-than-average property crime rate of 24.5 per 1,000, the 205 burglaries and 230 vehicle crimes recorded annually highlight the ongoing need for effective home security. Traditional security measures, such as basic alarms or standard CCTV, are reactive—they notify you or record evidence only after an intruder has already gained access to your property. For residents who want to truly prevent crime, a more advanced approach is required.

scOS is an AI-powered home security operating system that shifts the focus from recording to prevention. By using intelligent multi-camera analysis, scOS identifies potential threats at your property boundary in real-time. It can distinguish between a delivery driver and a suspicious loiterer, activating autonomous deterrents like high-intensity lighting or audible warnings before a crime is committed. For homeowners in Rother, especially those in more secluded rural properties or high-value coastal homes, scOS provides a proactive shield that traditional systems cannot match, ensuring that your home remains a difficult target for opportunistic criminals.

How To Keep Safe in Rother

The most prevalent crime type in the Rother district is violence and sexual offences, representing 35.0% of all reported incidents. While Rother is statistically very safe, adopting broad safety habits is always beneficial.

1. Be Mindful in Night-Time Economy Areas: When visiting busier centres like Bexhill or Rye in the evenings, stay in well-lit areas and plan your journey home in advance to avoid waiting alone in isolated spots.
2. Secure Outbuildings: In rural parts of Rother, sheds and barns can be targets for 'other theft'. Ensure these are fitted with heavy-duty locks and consider alarm systems specifically for outbuildings.
3. Retail Vigilance: With shoplifting being a top crime type, business owners should ensure clear lines of sight within stores and consider joining local business crime reduction partnerships.
4. Vehicle Security: To deter the 230 annual vehicle crimes, always double-check that your car is locked and never leave bags, electronics, or loose change visible through the windows.
5. Report Suspicious Activity: Community vigilance is key in low-crime areas. Reporting unusual behaviour to the non-emergency 101 line helps maintain the downward trend in local crime.