Bexhill-on-Sea Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Bexhill-on-Sea's crime rate in May 2024 stood at 8.3 per 1,000 residents, marking a 1.2% reduction compared to the UK average of 8.4. This slight decline positions the town as a marginally safer area than the national benchmark, though the overall rate remains closely aligned with broader trends. The crime profile reflects a balance between property and violent crime, with violence and sexual offences accounting for 33.8% of all incidents—making them the most prevalent category. Anti-social behaviour followed at 16.5%, and public order offences at 12.2%, suggesting a mix of social and community-focused challenges. Seasonal factors likely played a role, as May's extended evenings and bank holidays may have influenced patterns of outdoor drinking and socialising, which could contribute to public order issues. The town's coastal character and proximity to tourist areas may explain the relatively high incidence of public order offences compared to the UK average. Conversely, property crimes such as burglary and vehicle theft remain significantly below national levels, reflecting the area's lower density of high-risk environments like densely packed urban centres. The data also shows a nuanced picture: while violent crime rates are broadly in line with the UK, property crime rates are lower, indicating that Bexhill-on-Sea may be experiencing a different dynamic compared to larger cities. This suggests that local initiatives, community engagement, or the area's geography could be factors in shaping crime patterns. As May progresses into the summer season, continued monitoring of these trends will be essential to understand how seasonal changes impact public safety.

The month-on-month analysis reveals a significant shift in crime trends, with burglary falling by 79.5% compared to April 2024, from 39 to 8 incidents. This sharp decline may be attributed to increased police patrols or heightened community vigilance during the Easter holiday period, which typically sees reduced foot traffic in residential areas. Conversely, other crime rose by 125%—from 4 to 9 cases—suggesting a growing concern in this category that deserves closer attention. Bicycle theft also saw a 100% increase, with one incident reported in May compared to none in the previous month, potentially linked to the start of the summer cycling season or changes in local parking enforcement. Public order offences, at 45 cases, remained 59% above the UK average, highlighting a persistent challenge for local authorities in managing public spaces. Meanwhile, shoplifting fell by 54.9% compared to April, dropping from 71 to 32 incidents—a decline that may reflect improved retail security measures or the impact of seasonal shopping patterns. The data also shows that violence and sexual offences remained stable, with a rate of 2.8 per 1,000 residents, 1% below the UK average. This stability could be influenced by the area's relatively low population density and the absence of high-risk environments typically associated with higher rates of violent crime.

Bexhill-on-Sea's crime rate in May 2024 was 8.3 per 1,000 residents, a 9.3% decrease from the previous month's rate of 9.1. This reduction suggests a short-term improvement in public safety, though crime rates can fluctuate significantly month-to-month due to a variety of factors. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 12 crimes per day in May, a figure that provides context for residents concerned about local safety. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 121 residents, a monthly exposure rate that places Bexhill-on-Sea in line with similar coastal towns but below the national average. The population context is crucial: with a population of 44,697, the area's crime rate is relatively low compared to larger urban centres but remains consistent with the broader UK trend of around 8.4 per 1,000 residents. The decline from April to May could be influenced by seasonal factors, such as the end of the Easter holiday period, which may have reduced opportunities for certain types of crime. However, the persistent above-average rates for public order offences and criminal damage indicate that specific challenges remain. These figures should be interpreted in conjunction with local policing strategies and community engagement efforts, which may have contributed to the overall downward trend in crime.