Crime in Eastbourne district: statistics, rates and trends

14,399 crimes were recorded in Eastbourne district in the 12 months to July 2026, 138.1 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 7% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 4,344 reports (30% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Eastbourne district has the 22nd highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Eastbourne district was highest in the year to July 2026 (14,399 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (11,361). Over the whole period it rose 27%, 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 Eastbourne 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 anti-social behaviour (+58%) and drugs (+52%). The largest falls were in burglary (-19%) and shoplifting (-18%).

Violence and sexual offences in Eastbourne district

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Eastbourne district recorded 4,344 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (41.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 30.2% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Eastbourne district

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Eastbourne district recorded 3,138 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (30.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 58% on the year before. It made up 21.8% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Eastbourne district

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Eastbourne district recorded 2,241 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (21.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 15.6% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Eastbourne district

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Eastbourne district recorded 1,055 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 7.3% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Eastbourne district

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Eastbourne district recorded 950 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 6.6% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Eastbourne district

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Eastbourne district recorded 669 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 1% on the year before. It made up 4.6% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Eastbourne district

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Eastbourne district recorded 528 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 52% on the year before. It made up 3.7% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Eastbourne district

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Eastbourne district recorded 405 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Eastbourne district

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Eastbourne district recorded 284 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 19% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Eastbourne district

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Eastbourne district recorded 223 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Eastbourne district

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Eastbourne district recorded 187 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 35% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Eastbourne district

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Eastbourne district recorded 173 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Eastbourne district

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Eastbourne district recorded 115 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Eastbourne district

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Eastbourne district recorded 87 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

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

11 areas within Eastbourne district, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Devonshire had the highest rate (224.6 per 1,000) and Crumbles the lowest (29.6). 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 Eastbourne district over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Eastbourne 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.

Eastbourne district has an estimated population of 104,259. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Eastbourne district sits in decile 4.9, 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 Eastbourne district. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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