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

In October 2023, Bexhill-on-Sea’s crime profile shifted toward violent incidents, with 142 reported cases compared to 123 property crimes. This marks a departure from earlier patterns and suggests a seasonal influence on local crime dynamics. The overall crime rate of 8.1 per 1,000 residents places the area 1.2% above the UK average, a narrow margin that underscores the complexity of local factors at play. Violence and sexual offences dominated the breakdown, accounting for 39.2% of all crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (13.3%) and criminal damage (12.4%). These figures align with the town’s character as a coastal resort with a mix of residential and tourist populations, where social interactions in public spaces may contribute to higher rates of violence. The seasonal context of October—darker evenings, the clocks going back, and the approach of Halloween—likely amplified these trends, as increased foot traffic and social events in the town centre create conditions conducive to both property and violent crime. Anti-social behaviour in Bexhill-on-Sea is 14% below the UK average, a contrast that may reflect the community’s efforts to manage public order through local initiatives or the relatively low density of high-risk environments. Meanwhile, criminal damage and arson are 59% above the UK average, a figure that could be tied to the area’s proximity to open spaces and the potential for vandalism in less-monitored areas. These patterns illustrate how local geography, demographics, and seasonal rhythms interact to shape crime trends, even within a broader national context.

October 2023 saw a stark shift in crime dynamics, with violent crime (142 incidents) outnumbering property crime (123) for the first time this year. This reversal from earlier trends may be linked to the seasonal transition, as darker evenings and Halloween-related activities likely increased opportunities for violence. Among month-on-month changes, three categories saw dramatic increases: other crime (up 200%), robbery (up 100%), and theft from the person (up 100%). These spikes, though small in absolute terms, highlight emerging concerns that may warrant local attention. Conversely, burglary and other theft both fell by over 14%, suggesting a possible reduction in opportunistic crimes during the month. Violence and sexual offences in Bexhill-on-Sea (3.2 per 1,000) are 19% above the UK average, a disparity that could reflect the town’s coastal location and the social mix of residents and visitors during peak seasonal periods.

Bexhill-on-Sea’s crime rate rose by 6.9% from 7.6 to 8.1 per 1,000 residents in October 2023 compared to the previous month. This increase, though modest, reflects a shift in crime patterns that may be influenced by seasonal factors such as darker evenings and Halloween activities. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 12 crimes per day, a figure that aligns with the typical rhythm of a coastal town with a mix of residential and tourist activity. When scaled to the population, the monthly exposure translates to one reported crime for every 123 residents, a ratio that places Bexhill-on-Sea in the context of a community where crime is neither exceptionally high nor uncommon. This perspective helps residents understand the relative risk: while the rate is slightly above the UK average, the overall numbers remain manageable in a town of 44,697 people. The increase in violent crime compared to September may be partly explained by the transition into autumn, which often sees higher foot traffic in local areas and increased social events in the town centre.