Crime in Brighton and Hove district: statistics, rates and trends
35,086 crimes were recorded in Brighton and Hove district in the 12 months to July 2026, 123.6 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 2% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Brighton and Hove district at a glance
- Crime trends in Brighton and Hove district
- Types of crime in Brighton and Hove district
- Brighton and Hove district compared with nearby districts
- Areas within Brighton and Hove district
- Streets with the most crime in Brighton and Hove district
- What happened after crimes were reported in Brighton and Hove district
- Population and deprivation in Brighton and Hove district
- Questions about crime in Brighton and Hove district
- About this data
35,086 crimes were recorded in Brighton and Hove district in the 12 months to July 2026, 123.6 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 2% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 10,218 reports (29% of the total).
Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Brighton and Hove district has the 45th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Brighton and Hove district | South East | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 35,086 | 784,242 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 123.6 | 81.3 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -2% | -0% | -1% |
| Population | 283,870 | 9,642,942 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Brighton and Hove district was highest in the year to July 2020 (36,450 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2023 (32,231). Over the whole period it rose 2%, 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 | 35,086 | 123.6 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 35,673 | 125.7 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 34,123 | 120.2 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 32,231 | 113.5 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 33,706 | 118.7 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 35,323 | 124.4 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 36,450 | 128.4 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 34,413 | 121.2 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 34,442 | 121.3 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 3,661 |
| June 2026 | 3,188 |
| May 2026 | 3,420 |
| April 2026 | 3,071 |
| March 2026 | 2,966 |
| February 2026 | 2,529 |
| January 2026 | 2,526 |
| December 2025 | 2,420 |
| November 2025 | 2,559 |
| October 2025 | 2,866 |
| September 2025 | 2,748 |
| August 2025 | 3,132 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Brighton and Hove district 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 anti-social behaviour, shoplifting, public order.
The largest increases were in robbery (+34%) and anti-social behaviour (+26%). The largest falls were in burglary (-26%) and bicycle theft (-20%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 10,218 | 36.0 | 1.05 | -4% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 7,217 | 25.4 | 1.66 | +26% |
| Shoplifting | 4,696 | 16.5 | 2.00 | -9% |
| Public order | 3,072 | 10.8 | 1.63 | -3% |
| Other theft | 2,405 | 8.5 | 1.32 | -10% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 2,074 | 7.3 | 1.08 | -8% |
| Drugs | 1,364 | 4.8 | 1.47 | -2% |
| Vehicle crime | 912 | 3.2 | 0.65 | -18% |
| Burglary | 766 | 2.7 | 0.76 | -26% |
| Other crime | 685 | 2.4 | 1.14 | -12% |
| Robbery | 483 | 1.7 | 1.26 | +34% |
| Theft from the person | 424 | 1.5 | 0.88 | -14% |
| Bicycle theft | 392 | 1.4 | 1.68 | -20% |
| Possession of weapons | 378 | 1.3 | 1.37 | -14% |
Violence and sexual offences in Brighton and Hove district
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Brighton and Hove district recorded 10,218 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (36.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 29.1% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Brighton and Hove district
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Brighton and Hove district recorded 7,217 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (25.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 26% on the year before. It made up 20.6% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Brighton and Hove district
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Brighton and Hove district recorded 4,696 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (16.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 13.4% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Brighton and Hove district
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Brighton and Hove district recorded 3,072 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 8.8% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Brighton and Hove district
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Brighton and Hove district recorded 2,405 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 6.9% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Brighton and Hove district
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Brighton and Hove district recorded 2,074 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 5.9% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Brighton and Hove district
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Brighton and Hove district recorded 1,364 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 3.9% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Brighton and Hove district
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Brighton and Hove district recorded 912 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Brighton and Hove district
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Brighton and Hove district recorded 766 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Brighton and Hove district
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Brighton and Hove district recorded 685 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Brighton and Hove district
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Brighton and Hove district recorded 483 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 34% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Brighton and Hove district
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Brighton and Hove district recorded 424 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Brighton and Hove district
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Brighton and Hove district recorded 392 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Brighton and Hove district
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Brighton and Hove district recorded 378 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the districts closest to Brighton and Hove district, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Brighton and Hove district.
| District | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Brighton and Hove district |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adur | 4,479 | 69.0 | -44% |
| Lewes | 7,407 | 72.4 | -41% |
| Worthing | 11,373 | 99.9 | -19% |
| Mid Sussex | 9,703 | 60.0 | -51% |
| Horsham | 8,524 | 56.3 | -54% |
| Wealden | 9,033 | 54.1 | -56% |
| Eastbourne | 14,399 | 138.1 | +12% |
| Crawley | 16,076 | 129.6 | +5% |
24 areas within Brighton and Hove district, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Regency had the highest rate (625.7 per 1,000) and Rottingdean & West Saltdean the lowest (43.3). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regency | Neighbourhood | 10,011 | 6,264 | 625.7 |
| West Hill & North Laine | Neighbourhood | 10,788 | 5,236 | 485.4 |
| Kemptown | Neighbourhood | 12,076 | 3,406 | 282.0 |
| Whitehawk & Marina | Neighbourhood | 12,304 | 2,008 | 163.2 |
| Central Hove | Neighbourhood | 11,898 | 1,495 | 125.7 |
| Brighton and Hove | Town | 280,869 | 34,620 | 123.3 |
| South Portslade | Neighbourhood | 10,134 | 1,194 | 117.8 |
| Queen's Park | Neighbourhood | 10,233 | 1,167 | 114.0 |
| Round Hill | Neighbourhood | 8,574 | 886 | 103.3 |
| Hangleton & Knoll | Neighbourhood | 15,364 | 1,316 | 85.7 |
| Brunswick & Adelaide | Neighbourhood | 10,250 | 877 | 85.6 |
| Moulsecoomb & Bevendean | Neighbourhood | 15,906 | 1,337 | 84.1 |
| Patcham & Hollingbury | Neighbourhood | 14,605 | 1,201 | 82.2 |
| Coldean & Stanmer | Neighbourhood | 11,587 | 911 | 78.6 |
| Wish | Neighbourhood | 10,022 | 782 | 78.0 |
| Hanover & Elm Grove | Neighbourhood | 15,652 | 1,066 | 68.1 |
| North Portslade | Neighbourhood | 10,399 | 704 | 67.7 |
| Hollingdean & Fiveways | Neighbourhood | 15,173 | 1,027 | 67.7 |
| Goldsmid | Neighbourhood | 14,449 | 889 | 61.5 |
| Westbourne & Poets' Corner | Neighbourhood | 10,500 | 636 | 60.6 |
| Preston Park | Neighbourhood | 17,598 | 963 | 54.7 |
| Woodingdean | Neighbourhood | 9,535 | 473 | 49.6 |
| Westdene & Hove Park | Neighbourhood | 16,076 | 783 | 48.7 |
| Rottingdean & West Saltdean | Neighbourhood | 10,736 | 465 | 43.3 |
Police.uk records each crime at an approximate location, usually the centre of a nearby street or a landmark, to protect victims' privacy. These are the locations with the most reports in Brighton and Hove district over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 3,015 |
| On or near Nightclub | 1,234 |
| On or near Parking Area | 991 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 749 |
| On or near North Street | 563 |
| On or near Police Station | 467 |
| On or near Hospital | 459 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 399 |
| On or near Theatre/Concert Hall | 359 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 310 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Brighton and Hove district 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 | 12,690 | 36.2% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 7,594 | 21.6% |
| Not recorded | 7,217 | 20.6% |
| Under investigation | 2,480 | 7.1% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 1,808 | 5.2% |
| Local resolution | 1,133 | 3.2% |
| Status update unavailable | 880 | 2.5% |
| Court result unavailable | 746 | 2.1% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 181 | 0.5% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 113 | 0.3% |
| Offender given a caution | 106 | 0.3% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 76 | 0.2% |
Brighton and Hove district has an estimated population of 283,870. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Brighton and Hove district sits in decile 5.6, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Brighton and Hove district |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 14.2% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 71.5% |
| Aged 65 and over | 14.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 52.2% |
| Social rented homes | 14.9% |
| Private rented homes | 32.7% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.6 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 7.4% |
Is Brighton and Hove district a safe place to live?
Brighton and Hove district recorded 123.6 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, higher 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 Brighton and Hove district?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 10,218 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (7,217).
Is crime in Brighton and Hove district going up or down?
Recorded crime in Brighton and Hove district was down 2% on the year before: 35,086 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 35,673 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Brighton and Hove district?
Brighton and Hove district 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 Brighton and Hove district. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.