Crime in West Sussex: statistics, rates and trends
75,447 crimes were recorded in West Sussex in the 12 months to July 2026, 82.5 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 3% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in West Sussex at a glance
- Crime trends in West Sussex
- Types of crime in West Sussex
- West Sussex compared with nearby counties
- Areas within West Sussex
- What happened after crimes were reported in West Sussex
- Population and deprivation in West Sussex
- Questions about crime in West Sussex
- About this data
75,447 crimes were recorded in West Sussex in the 12 months to July 2026, 82.5 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 3% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 23,959 reports (32% of the total).
Of the 21 counties covered by this site, West Sussex has the 8th highest crime rate.
| Measure | West Sussex | South East | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 75,447 | 784,242 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 82.5 | 81.3 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +3% | -0% | -1% |
| Population | 915,037 | 9,642,942 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in West Sussex was highest in the year to July 2026 (75,447 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (67,174). Over the whole period it rose 12%, against a fall of 4% across England and Wales. Rates use today's population for every year, so they show the direction of change rather than exact historic rates.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 75,447 | 82.5 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 73,401 | 80.2 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 75,196 | 82.2 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 72,324 | 79.0 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 69,090 | 75.5 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 74,049 | 80.9 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 72,645 | 79.4 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 69,338 | 75.8 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 67,174 | 73.4 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 7,477 |
| June 2026 | 6,954 |
| May 2026 | 7,010 |
| April 2026 | 6,497 |
| March 2026 | 6,510 |
| February 2026 | 5,439 |
| January 2026 | 5,508 |
| December 2025 | 5,536 |
| November 2025 | 5,762 |
| October 2025 | 6,233 |
| September 2025 | 5,968 |
| August 2025 | 6,553 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in West Sussex over the 12 months to July 2026. The index compares the local rate with England and Wales: 1.00 is the national rate, 2.00 is double it. Rates were well above the national level for possession of weapons.
The largest increases were in robbery (+39%) and anti-social behaviour (+35%). The largest falls were in theft from the person (-28%) and vehicle crime (-22%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 23,959 | 26.2 | 0.76 | -1% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 16,012 | 17.5 | 1.14 | +35% |
| Shoplifting | 8,255 | 9.0 | 1.09 | -5% |
| Public order | 5,901 | 6.4 | 0.97 | -0% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 5,668 | 6.2 | 0.91 | -0% |
| Other theft | 4,537 | 5.0 | 0.78 | -4% |
| Vehicle crime | 2,556 | 2.8 | 0.57 | -22% |
| Burglary | 2,036 | 2.2 | 0.63 | -15% |
| Drugs | 1,998 | 2.2 | 0.67 | -2% |
| Other crime | 1,447 | 1.6 | 0.75 | -13% |
| Possession of weapons | 1,416 | 1.5 | 1.59 | +7% |
| Robbery | 763 | 0.8 | 0.62 | +39% |
| Bicycle theft | 580 | 0.6 | 0.77 | -14% |
| Theft from the person | 319 | 0.3 | 0.21 | -28% |
Violence and sexual offences in West Sussex
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. West Sussex recorded 23,959 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (26.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 31.8% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in West Sussex
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. West Sussex recorded 16,012 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 35% on the year before. It made up 21.2% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in West Sussex
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. West Sussex recorded 8,255 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 10.9% of all crime in the area.
Public order in West Sussex
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. West Sussex recorded 5,901 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 7.8% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in West Sussex
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. West Sussex recorded 5,668 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 7.5% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in West Sussex
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. West Sussex recorded 4,537 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 6.0% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in West Sussex
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. West Sussex recorded 2,556 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in West Sussex
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. West Sussex recorded 2,036 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in West Sussex
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. West Sussex recorded 1,998 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in West Sussex
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. West Sussex recorded 1,447 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in West Sussex
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. West Sussex recorded 1,416 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in West Sussex
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. West Sussex recorded 763 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 39% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in West Sussex
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. West Sussex recorded 580 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in West Sussex
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. West Sussex recorded 319 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 28% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the counties closest to West Sussex, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to West Sussex.
| County | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs West Sussex |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surrey | 87,826 | 70.3 | -15% |
| East Sussex | 50,773 | 90.5 | +10% |
| Hampshire | 93,230 | 64.4 | -22% |
| Kent | 145,448 | 88.7 | +8% |
| Hertfordshire | 105,683 | 85.5 | +4% |
| Oxfordshire | 51,240 | 67.1 | -19% |
| Essex | 124,662 | 79.7 | -3% |
| Cambridgeshire | 54,491 | 76.7 | -7% |
7 areas within West Sussex, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Crawley had the highest rate (129.6 per 1,000) and Horsham the lowest (56.3). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crawley | District | 124,008 | 16,076 | 129.6 |
| Worthing | District | 113,866 | 11,373 | 99.9 |
| Arun | District | 170,064 | 15,051 | 88.5 |
| Chichester | District | 128,934 | 10,241 | 79.4 |
| Adur | District | 64,889 | 4,479 | 69.0 |
| Mid Sussex | District | 161,755 | 9,703 | 60.0 |
| Horsham | District | 151,521 | 8,524 | 56.3 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in West Sussex over the 12 months to July 2026. Many cases are still open when the data is published, and anti-social behaviour has no outcome recorded, so these shares change as investigations finish.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 26,076 | 34.6% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 18,188 | 24.1% |
| Not recorded | 16,012 | 21.2% |
| Under investigation | 5,153 | 6.8% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 3,132 | 4.2% |
| Local resolution | 2,072 | 2.7% |
| Status update unavailable | 1,891 | 2.5% |
| Court result unavailable | 1,404 | 1.9% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 583 | 0.8% |
| Offender given a caution | 469 | 0.6% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 183 | 0.2% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 169 | 0.2% |
West Sussex has an estimated population of 915,037. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in West Sussex sits in decile 6.7, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | West Sussex |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.6% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 59.2% |
| Aged 65 and over | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 69.7% |
| Social rented homes | 12.7% |
| Private rented homes | 17.5% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.7 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 1.2% |
Is West Sussex a safe place to live?
West Sussex recorded 82.5 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4. Crime is concentrated in a small number of places within most areas, often busy centres and transport hubs, so the rate for a single street can differ a lot from the area as a whole.
What is the most common crime in West Sussex?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 23,959 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (16,012).
Is crime in West Sussex going up or down?
Recorded crime in West Sussex was up 3% on the year before: 75,447 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 73,401 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers West Sussex?
West Sussex is policed by Sussex. Non-emergency crimes can be reported online to the force or by calling 101; in an emergency call 999.
How are these crime rates calculated?
Each rate is the number of crimes recorded by the police in the 12 months to July 2026, divided by the resident population and multiplied by 1,000. Crime data is from data.police.uk and population estimates are from the Office for National Statistics.
Figures are police-recorded crime published on data.police.uk, covering August 2017 to July 2026. Each crime is counted in the small area (LSOA) where it was recorded and added up to West Sussex. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.