Crime in Central Hove: statistics, rates and trends
1,530 crimes were recorded in Central Hove in the 12 months to August 2026, 128.6 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and up 3% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime map
- Crime in Central Hove at a glance
- Crime trends in Central Hove
- Types of crime in Central Hove
- Central Hove compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Central Hove
- What happened after crimes were reported in Central Hove
- Demographics of Central Hove
- Questions about crime in Central Hove
- About this data
Crime map
Violence and sexual offences (342), shoplifting (319) and anti-social behaviour (287) made up 62% of all recorded crime. Its crime rate ranks 702nd of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site (1 = highest), in the highest quarter.
| Measure | Central Hove | Brighton and Hove | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to August 2026 | 1,530 | 35,519 | 5,618,064 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 128.6 | 125.1 | 96.7 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +3% | 0% | -1% |
| Population | 11,898 | 283,870 | 58,127,638 |
Recorded crime in Central Hove peaked in the year to August 2018 (1,698 crimes) and was lowest in the year to August 2022 (1,381). Between the years to August 2018 and 2026 it fell 10%, while across England and Wales it fell 4%.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to August 2026 | 1,530 | 128.6 | 96.7 |
| Year to August 2025 | 1,487 | 125.0 | 97.2 |
| Year to August 2024 | 1,528 | 128.4 | 97.9 |
| Year to August 2023 | 1,685 | 141.6 | n/a |
| Year to August 2022 | 1,381 | 116.1 | 102.0 |
| Year to August 2021 | 1,597 | 134.2 | 101.4 |
| Year to August 2020 | 1,606 | 135.0 | 102.7 |
| Year to August 2019 | 1,583 | 133.0 | 101.7 |
| Year to August 2018 | 1,698 | 142.7 | 100.8 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 181 |
| July 2026 | 163 |
| June 2026 | 121 |
| May 2026 | 172 |
| April 2026 | 112 |
| March 2026 | 112 |
| February 2026 | 106 |
| January 2026 | 111 |
| December 2025 | 82 |
| November 2025 | 81 |
| October 2025 | 144 |
| September 2025 | 145 |
Compared with England and Wales, Central Hove recorded notably more bicycle theft (3.9 times the national rate), shoplifting (3.2 times the national rate) and possession of weapons (82% above the national rate), and notably less burglary (29% below). On the year before, other crime rose from 29 to 43 and bicycle theft rose from 29 to 38, while burglary fell from 51 to 30 and criminal damage and arson fell from 103 to 78.
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 342 | 28.7 | 34.2 | +6% |
| Shoplifting | 319 | 26.8 | 8.5 | +1% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 287 | 24.1 | 15.4 | +8% |
| Public order | 130 | 10.9 | 6.7 | -7% |
| Other theft | 118 | 9.9 | 6.4 | +28% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 78 | 6.6 | 6.7 | -24% |
| Vehicle crime | 51 | 4.3 | 5.0 | 0% |
| Drugs | 43 | 3.6 | 3.3 | -2% |
| Other crime | 43 | 3.6 | 2.1 | +48% |
| Bicycle theft | 38 | 3.2 | 0.8 | +31% |
| Burglary | 30 | 2.5 | 3.6 | -41% |
| Possession of weapons | 21 | 1.8 | 1.0 | n/a |
| Robbery | 21 | 1.8 | 1.4 | -5% |
| Theft from the person | 9 | 0.8 | 1.7 | n/a |
What each category covers: crime categories.
2 of the 8 nearest neighbourhoods have a higher crime rate than Central Hove; the highest is Regency (631.1 per 1,000) and the lowest Westdene & Hove Park (50.0).
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Central Hove |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westbourne & Poets' Corner | 641 | 61.0 | -53% |
| Goldsmid | 915 | 63.3 | -51% |
| Brunswick & Adelaide | 900 | 87.8 | -32% |
| Regency | 6,318 | 631.1 | +391% |
| Wish | 823 | 82.1 | -36% |
| Westdene & Hove Park | 803 | 50.0 | -61% |
| Preston Park | 966 | 54.9 | -57% |
| West Hill & North Laine | 5,217 | 483.6 | +276% |
The 10 locations below account for 57% of the crime recorded in Central Hove over the 12 months to August 2026; the most were recorded at “Supermarket” (232).
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 232 |
| On or near Haddington Close | 144 |
| On or near George Street | 111 |
| On or near St Aubyns South | 87 |
| On or near Haddington Street | 79 |
| On or near Seafield Road | 45 |
| On or near Wilbury Grove | 45 |
| On or near Hove Place | 42 |
| On or near Tisbury Road | 41 |
| On or near Queen'S Gardens | 39 |
Of the 1,243 crimes in Central Hove with a recorded outcome, 53% ended with the investigation complete and no suspect identified, against 35% across England and Wales; 6.1% were awaiting a court outcome (England and Wales: 5.2%). The 287 anti-social behaviour reports have no outcome and are left out.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 657 | 52.9% | 35.3% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 265 | 21.3% | 34.5% |
| Under investigation | 117 | 9.4% | 11.5% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 76 | 6.1% | 5.2% |
| Local resolution | 41 | 3.3% | 3.1% |
| Court result unavailable | 39 | 3.1% | 2.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 33 | 2.7% | 4.7% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 5 | 0.4% | 0.3% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 4 | 0.3% | 1.3% |
| Offender given a caution | 4 | 0.3% | 0.6% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.2% | 0.5% |
Central Hove has an estimated population of 11,898 (ONS, mid-2024). Compared with England and Wales it has more private renting (54%, against 20%), more households without a car (48%, against 23%) and less social housing (6.0%, against 17.1%). On the England IoD 2025, the small areas (LSOAs) that make up Central Hove average decile 5.3 (1 = most deprived), close to the middle.
| Measure | Central Hove | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 9.3% | 18.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 12.5% | 18.9% |
| Residents 16+ in work | 68.7% | 57.2% |
| Residents 16+ unemployed | 4.1% | 3.4% |
| Residents 16+ retired | 12.9% | 21.6% |
| Residents 16+ who are students | 6.2% | 7.9% |
| Residents 16+ with Level 4 qualifications or above (degree, HND and similar) | 54.5% | 33.8% |
| Residents 16+ with no qualifications | 9.4% | 18.2% |
| Households with no car or van | 47.9% | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 39.8% | 62.5% |
| Social rented homes | 6.0% | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 54.2% | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.3 | 5.5 (England) |
Is Central Hove a safe place to live?
Central Hove recorded 128.6 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to August 2026, higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and ranks 702nd of the 3,911 neighbourhoods on this site by crime rate (1 = highest). The categories most above the national rate were bicycle theft and shoplifting.
What is the most common crime in Central Hove?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 342 reports in the 12 months to August 2026, followed by shoplifting (319).
Is crime in Central Hove going up or down?
Recorded crime in Central Hove was up 3% on the year before: 1,530 crimes in the 12 months to August 2026 against 1,487 in the previous 12 months.
What is the population of Central Hove?
About 11,898 people (ONS mid-2024 estimate), 13% of them aged 65 or over (England and Wales: 19%).
Which police force covers Central Hove?
Central Hove is policed by Sussex.
Police-recorded crime from data.police.uk (September 2017 to August 2026), ONS population estimates and Census 2021. Definitions and limitations: methodology.