Crime in Chichester district: statistics, rates and trends

10,241 crimes were recorded in Chichester district in the 12 months to July 2026, 79.4 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 3,159 reports (31% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Chichester district has the 183rd highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Chichester district was highest in the year to July 2021 (10,257 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (8,124). Over the whole period it rose 26%, 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.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Chichester 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. The largest increases were in robbery (+45%) and anti-social behaviour (+25%).

The largest falls were in theft from the person (-48%) and vehicle crime (-32%).

Violence and sexual offences in Chichester district

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Chichester district recorded 3,159 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (24.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 30.8% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Chichester district

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Chichester district recorded 2,429 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (18.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 25% on the year before. It made up 23.7% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Chichester district

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Chichester district recorded 1,039 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 10.1% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Chichester district

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Chichester district recorded 867 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 8.5% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Chichester district

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Chichester district recorded 843 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 8.2% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Chichester district

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Chichester district recorded 602 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 5.9% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Chichester district

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Chichester district recorded 316 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 32% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Chichester district

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Chichester district recorded 301 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Chichester district

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Chichester district recorded 175 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Chichester district

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Chichester district recorded 156 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Chichester district

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Chichester district recorded 116 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Chichester district

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Chichester district recorded 114 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Chichester district

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Chichester district recorded 90 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 45% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Chichester district

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Chichester district recorded 34 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 48% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the districts closest to Chichester district, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Chichester district.

49 areas within Chichester district, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Chichester Central had the highest rate (727.6 per 1,000) and Ifold the lowest (18.2). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

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 Chichester district over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Chichester 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.

Chichester district has an estimated population of 128,934. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Chichester district sits in decile 6.2, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

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 Chichester district. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.