Crime in Preston Park: statistics, rates and trends
963 crimes were recorded in Preston Park in the 12 months to July 2026, 54.7 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 13% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Preston Park at a glance
- Crime trends in Preston Park
- Types of crime in Preston Park
- Preston Park compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Preston Park
- What happened after crimes were reported in Preston Park
- Population and deprivation in Preston Park
- Questions about crime in Preston Park
- About this data
963 crimes were recorded in Preston Park in the 12 months to July 2026, 54.7 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 13% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 270 reports (28% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Preston Park has the 2,827th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Preston Park | Brighton and Hove | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 963 | 35,086 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 54.7 | 123.6 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +13% | -2% | -1% |
| Population | 17,598 | 283,870 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Preston Park was highest in the year to July 2021 (1,424 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (850). Over the whole period it fell 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 | 963 | 54.7 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 850 | 48.3 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 964 | 54.8 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 990 | 56.3 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,121 | 63.7 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,424 | 80.9 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,260 | 71.6 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,109 | 63.0 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,093 | 62.1 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 109 |
| June 2026 | 71 |
| May 2026 | 78 |
| April 2026 | 93 |
| March 2026 | 94 |
| February 2026 | 85 |
| January 2026 | 66 |
| December 2025 | 70 |
| November 2025 | 66 |
| October 2025 | 81 |
| September 2025 | 54 |
| August 2025 | 96 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Preston Park 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 anti-social behaviour (+94%) and drugs (+37%).
The largest falls were in bicycle theft (-27%) and vehicle crime (-16%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 270 | 15.3 | 0.45 | -9% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 264 | 15.0 | 0.98 | +94% |
| Other theft | 70 | 4.0 | 0.62 | +8% |
| Public order | 67 | 3.8 | 0.57 | -3% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 65 | 3.7 | 0.54 | -8% |
| Drugs | 52 | 3.0 | 0.90 | +37% |
| Burglary | 43 | 2.4 | 0.69 | -14% |
| Vehicle crime | 43 | 2.4 | 0.50 | -16% |
| Other crime | 27 | 1.5 | 0.73 | +42% |
| Theft from the person | 17 | 1.0 | 0.57 | +240% |
| Bicycle theft | 16 | 0.9 | 1.10 | -27% |
| Robbery | 13 | 0.7 | 0.55 | +117% |
| Possession of weapons | 11 | 0.6 | 0.64 | +38% |
| Shoplifting | 5 | 0.3 | 0.03 | -58% |
Violence and sexual offences in Preston Park
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Preston Park recorded 270 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 28.0% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Preston Park
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Preston Park recorded 264 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 94% on the year before. It made up 27.4% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Preston Park
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Preston Park recorded 70 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 7.3% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Preston Park
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Preston Park recorded 67 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 7.0% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Preston Park
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Preston Park recorded 65 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 6.7% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Preston Park
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Preston Park recorded 52 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 37% on the year before. It made up 5.4% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Preston Park
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Preston Park recorded 43 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 4.5% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Preston Park
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Preston Park recorded 43 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 4.5% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Preston Park
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Preston Park recorded 27 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 42% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Preston Park
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Preston Park recorded 17 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 240% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Preston Park
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Preston Park recorded 16 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 27% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Preston Park
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Preston Park recorded 13 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 117% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Preston Park
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Preston Park recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 38% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Preston Park
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Preston Park recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 58% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Preston Park, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Preston Park.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Preston Park |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hollingdean & Fiveways | 1,027 | 67.7 | +24% |
| Round Hill | 886 | 103.3 | +89% |
| Goldsmid | 889 | 61.5 | +12% |
| West Hill & North Laine | 5,236 | 485.4 | +787% |
| Westdene & Hove Park | 783 | 48.7 | -11% |
| Regency | 6,264 | 625.7 | +1043% |
| Brunswick & Adelaide | 877 | 85.6 | +56% |
| Hanover & Elm Grove | 1,066 | 68.1 | +24% |
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 Preston Park over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Beaconsfield Road | 51 |
| On or near Preston Road | 41 |
| On or near Cumberland Drive | 40 |
| On or near Dyke Road Drive | 39 |
| On or near Parkmore Terrace | 32 |
| On or near London Road | 31 |
| On or near Campbell Road | 29 |
| On or near Withdean Court Avenue | 25 |
| On or near Parking Area | 24 |
| On or near Winchester Street | 24 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Preston Park 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 | 332 | 34.5% |
| Not recorded | 264 | 27.4% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 185 | 19.2% |
| Under investigation | 69 | 7.2% |
| Local resolution | 31 | 3.2% |
| Status update unavailable | 31 | 3.2% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 25 | 2.6% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 9 | 0.9% |
| Court result unavailable | 7 | 0.7% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 4 | 0.4% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.3% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.2% |
Preston Park has an estimated population of 17,598. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Preston Park sits in decile 7.6, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Preston Park |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 14.4% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 72.6% |
| Aged 65 and over | 13.0% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 58.5% |
| Social rented homes | 5.4% |
| Private rented homes | 36.1% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 7.6 |
Is Preston Park a safe place to live?
Preston Park recorded 54.7 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 Preston Park?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 270 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (264).
Is crime in Preston Park going up or down?
Recorded crime in Preston Park was up 13% on the year before: 963 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 850 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Preston Park?
Preston Park 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 Preston Park. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.