Bexhill-on-Sea Crime Rate July 2025 | Monthly Statistics

The crime profile in Bexhill-on-Sea for July 2025 reveals a distinct balance of crime types that reflects the town’s character as a coastal resort with a mix of residential and tourist activity. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 32.1% of all crimes, the highest category, followed by anti-social behaviour (21.5%) and shoplifting (20.0%). This mix is consistent with the area’s seasonal rhythm, as July is a peak month for tourism, festivals, and outdoor events. The high proportion of violence and sexual offences may be linked to increased foot traffic in public spaces during the summer, while anti-social behaviour could stem from the convergence of residents and visitors in crowded areas. Shoplifting, which is 192% above the UK average, is likely driven by the town’s retail presence along its seafront and high street, which attract both local and visiting shoppers. This is a marked contrast to the UK average for shoplifting, which is 0.7 per 1,000. The relatively low rates of vehicle crime (74% below the UK average) and burglary (63% below) suggest that the town’s layout and community focus may contribute to a lower incidence of property crimes. However, the high rate of anti-social behaviour, which is 29% above the UK average, indicates that managing public spaces during peak tourist times remains a challenge. These patterns are not isolated but are part of a broader trend in coastal areas where transient populations and high foot traffic can amplify certain types of crime. The seasonal context of July—schools out, festivals, and extended daylight hours—likely contributes to the dynamics observed, though the exact interplay of these factors requires further local analysis.

July 2025 saw significant shifts in crime trends, with bicycle theft rising by 133.3% compared to the previous month, reflecting increased cycling activity during the summer months. Theft from the person also doubled, from one to two incidents, potentially linked to the higher volume of tourists in the area. Shoplifting surged by 72.9%, climbing to 83 incidents, which is 192% above the UK average and highlights the pressure on retail security in a coastal town with a strong tourist economy. Conversely, burglary and drug-related crimes both fell by 55.6%, suggesting that targeted interventions or natural seasonal patterns may have played a role. The town’s anti-social behaviour rate, at 2.0 per 1,000, is 29% above the UK average, a figure that aligns with the challenges of managing public spaces during the summer. This contrast between rising and falling crime categories underscores the complexity of local dynamics. For residents, the sharp increase in shoplifting may be a practical concern, particularly for businesses in the town centre. The drop in burglary, meanwhile, could indicate that community policing efforts or improved security measures in homes have had an impact. These changes are not uniform across crime types, pointing to specific factors influencing different aspects of the town’s crime profile.

Bexhill-on-Sea’s crime rate in July 2025 rose to 9.3 per 1,000 residents, a 6.9% increase from the previous month’s rate of 8.7. This places the town 8.1% above the UK average, a figure that, while notable, is not drastically divergent from national trends. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly 13 crimes per day in July, a localised statistic that provides context for the frequency of incidents in a community of 44,697 residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 108 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is higher than the UK average in some categories but not across all. The population-scaled perspective reveals that while the overall rate is elevated, it is not an outlier in the broader UK context. The increase from June to July aligns with the seasonal pattern of coastal towns, where tourism and outdoor activities can influence crime trends. For instance, the surge in shoplifting and anti-social behaviour during July may be directly tied to the influx of visitors, while the decline in burglary might reflect the absence of school holidays, which can sometimes correlate with reduced property crime. These comparisons highlight the importance of contextualising local data within both national benchmarks and the specific rhythms of the area. Residents and local authorities must consider these factors when assessing risk and planning resources, ensuring that interventions are tailored to the unique demands of a tourist-driven economy.