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

In March 2023, Bexhill-on-Sea recorded 297 crimes across a population of 44,697, translating to a crime rate of 6.6 per 1,000 residents. This figure places the area 13.2% below the UK average of 7.6 per 1,000, a consistent trend that reflects the town’s lower population density and coastal character. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (35.7% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (14.8%) and criminal damage and arson (13.1%). These patterns align with the seasonal transition to spring, where extended evenings and the start of the tourist season may influence both crime types and their frequency. The relatively low rate of burglary (1.7% of total) and vehicle crime (3.7%) suggests that the area’s residential and commercial layout, combined with its coastal geography, may contribute to reduced opportunities for such offences. However, the elevated rate of criminal damage and arson compared to the UK average (50% higher) raises questions about potential local factors, such as targeted vandalism in public spaces or infrastructure. March’s transition to longer daylight hours may also play a role in the distribution of crimes, with violence and sexual offences peaking during the evening hours when tourist activity is at its highest. This dynamic illustrates how seasonal and geographic factors shape the local crime profile, even within a broader context of national trends.

March 2023 saw a notable shift in the crime mix, with violent crimes making up 35.7% of all reported incidents, compared to 12% for shoplifting. This contrast highlights a focus on interpersonal crime over property-related offences, a pattern consistent with the area’s coastal character and seasonal transitions. The rate of violence and sexual offences was 12% below the UK average, a figure that may reflect the town’s relatively low population density and the influence of its seaside environment, where open spaces and tourist activity could deter certain types of crime. Conversely, criminal damage and arson exceeded the UK average by 50%, a stark outlier that may indicate targeted vandalism in public areas or infrastructure. This category’s elevated rate, combined with shoplifting being 22% above the UK average, suggests that retail and public spaces remain vulnerable to specific types of criminal activity. Residents may find the 10 daily crimes figure useful for understanding local risk levels, though the overall rate remains lower than national benchmarks.

Bexhill-on-Sea’s crime rate in March 2023 remained 13.2% below the UK average, reflecting a consistently lower-than-national baseline for the area. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 150 residents, a figure that contextualises the scale of incidents within the local population. Daily crime counts averaged approximately 10 crimes per day, a rate that, while not alarmingly high, underscores the need for vigilance in public spaces. This monthly exposure is particularly significant when compared to the broader UK context, where higher population density and urban centres typically see more frequent reporting. The breakdown of daily incidents includes a mix of violent crimes, anti-social behaviour, and property-related offences, with no single category dominating the frequency. This distribution suggests a balanced but consistent presence of crime types that align with the area’s character as a coastal town with both residential and tourist activity. The lower-than-average rates for vehicle crime and burglary, which sit 38% and 70% below UK figures respectively, may partly reflect the town’s lower population density and fewer high-traffic commercial zones compared to major cities.