Bexhill-on-Sea Crime Rate August 2023 | Monthly Statistics

August 2023 saw Bexhill-on-Sea maintain a crime rate of 7.5 per 1,000, placing it 7.4% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. This figure reflects a mix of crime types, with violence and sexual offences accounting for 34% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (16.7%) and public order offences (9.6%). The area’s crime profile aligns with its coastal and tourist-oriented character, where seasonal fluctuations significantly influence patterns. For instance, the surge in public order offences may be consistent with the summer influx of visitors, while the relatively low rate of anti-social behaviour suggests effective local management of community spaces. Violence and sexual offences, at 2.6 per 1,000, were 2% below the UK average, possibly due to targeted policing in high-traffic areas such as the town centre. Conversely, public order offences exceeded the UK average by 17%, a deviation that may be linked to the increased density of temporary residents and the associated challenges of managing public spaces during peak season. The overall crime rate, though lower than the UK average, highlights the need for continued vigilance in areas where local dynamics—such as tourism, retail activity, and seasonal housing—intersect with crime patterns. The breakdown of offences also reveals that shoplifting and other theft remained in line with national trends, indicating a balanced approach to crime prevention across different categories. As a coastal town with a significant seasonal economy, Bexhill-on-Sea’s crime profile is shaped by both its permanent residents and the transient nature of its tourist population, a factor that likely contributes to the observed variations in specific offence types.

The most dramatic month-on-month change in August 2023 was a 100% increase in robbery, with the number of such crimes rising from 1 to 2. This spike contrasts sharply with the 66.7% increase in burglary, which climbed from 12 to 20, likely influenced by the seasonal influx of tourists and the presence of empty homes during the summer. Conversely, bicycle theft dropped by 66.7% (from 3 to 1), possibly due to reduced cycling activity in the area during peak holiday season. Public order offences, at 0.7 per 1,000, were 17% above the UK average, a figure that may reflect increased social interactions in the town’s coastal and tourist zones. Anti-social behaviour, the second most common crime type, remained 10% below the UK average, suggesting local efforts in community engagement or policing may be contributing to this trend. Residents might find the 100% decrease in other crime (from 5 to 2) noteworthy, indicating a potential reduction in less-defined or sporadic incidents.

Bexhill-on-Sea's crime rate in August 2023 (7.5 per 1,000) marks a 24.6% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 9.9 per 1,000. This decline aligns with typical seasonal patterns, as August is a peak holiday month when tourism surges and temporary residents may influence local crime dynamics. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 11 crimes per day in August, a figure that contextualises the monthly total for residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 133 residents, a monthly exposure rate that reflects the area’s overall safety profile. While this rate is lower than the previous month, it remains consistent with Bexhill’s position as a coastal town with a mix of residential and tourist activity. The population-scaled perspective shows that the local crime rate is 7.4% below the UK average, indicating a relatively safer environment compared to national trends, though specific categories like public order offences show deviations from UK norms.