Crime in South Downs: statistics, rates and trends

119 crimes were recorded in South Downs in the 12 months to July 2026, 35.6 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 8% on the year before. The most common offence was anti-social behaviour, with 40 reports (34% of the total).

Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, South Downs has the 3,615th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in South Downs was highest in the year to July 2018 (183 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2023 (101). Over the whole period it fell 35%, 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 South Downs 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 (+29%). The largest falls were in violence and sexual offences (-19%).

Anti-social behaviour in South Downs

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. South Downs recorded 40 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 29% on the year before. It made up 33.6% of all crime in the area.

Violence and sexual offences in South Downs

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. South Downs recorded 25 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 21.0% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in South Downs

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. South Downs recorded 17 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 55% on the year before. It made up 14.3% of all crime in the area.

Public order in South Downs

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. South Downs recorded 14 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 11.8% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in South Downs

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. South Downs recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in South Downs

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. South Downs recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in South Downs

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. South Downs recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in South Downs

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. South Downs recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in South Downs

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. South Downs recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in South Downs

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. South Downs recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in South Downs

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. South Downs recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 75% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to South Downs, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to South Downs.

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 South Downs over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in South Downs 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.

South Downs has an estimated population of 3,345. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in South Downs sits in decile 7.9, less deprived than average. 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 South Downs. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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