Crime in South Downs: statistics, rates and trends
127 crimes were recorded in South Downs in the 12 months to August 2026, 38.0 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and up 6% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime map
- Crime in South Downs at a glance
- Crime trends in South Downs
- Types of crime in South Downs
- South Downs compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in South Downs
- What happened after crimes were reported in South Downs
- Demographics of South Downs
- Questions about crime in South Downs
- About this data
Crime map
Anti-social behaviour (37), violence and sexual offences (31) and criminal damage and arson (17) made up 67% of all recorded crime. Its crime rate ranks 3,518th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site (1 = highest), in the lowest quarter.
| Measure | South Downs | Wealden | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to August 2026 | 127 | 9,107 | 5,618,064 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 38.0 | 54.6 | 96.7 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +6% | +9% | -1% |
| Population | 3,345 | 166,908 | 58,127,638 |
Recorded crime in South Downs peaked in the year to August 2018 (182 crimes) and was lowest in the year to August 2023 (101). Between the years to August 2018 and 2026 it fell 30%, while across England and Wales it fell 4%.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to August 2026 | 127 | 38.0 | 96.7 |
| Year to August 2025 | 120 | 35.9 | 97.2 |
| Year to August 2024 | 139 | 41.6 | 97.9 |
| Year to August 2023 | 101 | 30.2 | n/a |
| Year to August 2022 | 119 | 35.6 | 102.0 |
| Year to August 2021 | 176 | 52.6 | 101.4 |
| Year to August 2020 | 161 | 48.1 | 102.7 |
| Year to August 2019 | 136 | 40.7 | 101.7 |
| Year to August 2018 | 182 | 54.4 | 100.8 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 15 |
| July 2026 | 18 |
| June 2026 | 9 |
| May 2026 | 7 |
| April 2026 | 12 |
| March 2026 | 13 |
| February 2026 | 11 |
| January 2026 | 11 |
| December 2025 | 4 |
| November 2025 | 9 |
| October 2025 | 8 |
| September 2025 | 10 |
No category with at least 20 crimes was notably above the England and Wales rate, and violence and sexual offences (73% below) and anti-social behaviour (28% below) were well below it. On the year before, anti-social behaviour rose from 27 to 37 and violence and sexual offences rose from 24 to 31.
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anti-social behaviour | 37 | 11.1 | 15.4 | +37% |
| Violence and sexual offences | 31 | 9.3 | 34.2 | +29% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 17 | 5.1 | 6.7 | n/a |
| Public order | 15 | 4.5 | 6.7 | n/a |
| Burglary | 6 | 1.8 | 3.6 | n/a |
| Other theft | 6 | 1.8 | 6.4 | n/a |
| Vehicle crime | 5 | 1.5 | 5.0 | n/a |
| Drugs | 4 | 1.2 | 3.3 | n/a |
| Other crime | 3 | 0.9 | 2.1 | n/a |
| Theft from the person | 2 | 0.6 | 1.7 | n/a |
| Robbery | 1 | 0.3 | 1.4 | n/a |
What each category covers: crime categories.
7 of the 8 nearest neighbourhoods have a higher crime rate than South Downs; the highest is Polegate North (95.1 per 1,000) and the lowest Lower Willingdon, Wealden (37.4).
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs South Downs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Willingdon | 114 | 37.4 | -2% |
| Polegate South & Willingdon Watermill | 181 | 45.1 | +19% |
| Upper Willingdon | 213 | 61.6 | +62% |
| Polegate North | 346 | 95.1 | +151% |
| Polegate Central | 192 | 38.5 | +1% |
| Stone Cross | 295 | 52.4 | +38% |
| Hailsham South | 189 | 60.8 | +60% |
| Hailsham West | 371 | 84.2 | +122% |
The 10 locations below account for 55% of the crime recorded in South Downs over the 12 months to August 2026; the most were recorded at “Parking Area” (28).
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 28 |
| On or near Ades Field | 6 |
| On or near Gilberts Drive | 5 |
| On or near Kings Ride | 5 |
| On or near Lower Street | 5 |
| On or near Lullington Road | 5 |
| On or near Upper Street | 5 |
| On or near Saffron Gardens | 4 |
| On or near Smugglers Close | 4 |
| On or near Friston Downs | 3 |
The latest recorded outcomes for the 90 crimes in South Downs with one. The 37 anti-social behaviour reports have no outcome and are left out.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 45 | 50.0% | 35.3% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 25 | 27.8% | 34.5% |
| Under investigation | 12 | 13.3% | 11.5% |
| Local resolution | 2 | 2.2% | 3.1% |
| Status update unavailable | 2 | 2.2% | 4.7% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 1 | 1.1% | 1.3% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 1 | 1.1% | 5.2% |
| Court result unavailable | 1 | 1.1% | 2.5% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 1 | 1.1% | 0.3% |
South Downs has an estimated population of 3,345 (ONS, mid-2024). Compared with England and Wales it has an older population (44%, against 19%), more retired residents (42%, against 22%) and less social housing (4.3%, against 17.1%). On the England IoD 2025, the small areas (LSOAs) that make up South Downs average decile 7.9 (1 = most deprived), less deprived than average.
| Measure | South Downs | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 10.0% | 18.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 43.9% | 18.9% |
| Residents 16+ in work | 45.9% | 57.2% |
| Residents 16+ unemployed | 1.4% | 3.4% |
| Residents 16+ retired | 42.4% | 21.6% |
| Residents 16+ who are students | 4.0% | 7.9% |
| Residents 16+ with Level 4 qualifications or above (degree, HND and similar) | 46.1% | 33.8% |
| Residents 16+ with no qualifications | 11.8% | 18.2% |
| Households with no car or van | 7.2% | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 80.1% | 62.5% |
| Social rented homes | 4.3% | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 15.6% | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 7.9 | 5.5 (England) |
Is South Downs a safe place to live?
South Downs recorded 38.0 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to August 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and ranks 3,518th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods on this site by crime rate (1 = highest).
What is the most common crime in South Downs?
Anti-social behaviour was the most common category, with 37 reports in the 12 months to August 2026, followed by violence and sexual offences (31).
Is crime in South Downs going up or down?
Recorded crime in South Downs was up 6% on the year before: 127 crimes in the 12 months to August 2026 against 120 in the previous 12 months.
What is the population of South Downs?
About 3,345 people (ONS mid-2024 estimate), 44% of them aged 65 or over (England and Wales: 19%).
Which police force covers South Downs?
South Downs 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.