Crime in Westbourne & Poets' Corner: statistics, rates and trends
636 crimes were recorded in Westbourne & Poets' Corner in the 12 months to July 2026, 60.6 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 15% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Westbourne & Poets' Corner at a glance
- Crime trends in Westbourne & Poets' Corner
- Types of crime in Westbourne & Poets' Corner
- Westbourne & Poets' Corner compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Westbourne & Poets' Corner
- What happened after crimes were reported in Westbourne & Poets' Corner
- Population and deprivation in Westbourne & Poets' Corner
- Questions about crime in Westbourne & Poets' Corner
- About this data
636 crimes were recorded in Westbourne & Poets' Corner in the 12 months to July 2026, 60.6 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 15% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 175 reports (28% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Westbourne & Poets' Corner has the 2,568th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Westbourne & Poets' Corner | Brighton and Hove | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 636 | 35,086 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 60.6 | 123.6 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -15% | -2% | -1% |
| Population | 10,500 | 283,870 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Westbourne & Poets' Corner was highest in the year to July 2021 (824 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2023 (568). Over the whole period it fell 14%, 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 | 636 | 60.6 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 752 | 71.6 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 702 | 66.9 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 568 | 54.1 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 714 | 68.0 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 824 | 78.5 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 704 | 67.0 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 819 | 78.0 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 742 | 70.7 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 68 |
| June 2026 | 72 |
| May 2026 | 49 |
| April 2026 | 45 |
| March 2026 | 65 |
| February 2026 | 48 |
| January 2026 | 42 |
| December 2025 | 37 |
| November 2025 | 43 |
| October 2025 | 60 |
| September 2025 | 50 |
| August 2025 | 57 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Westbourne & Poets' Corner 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 public order (+24%) and anti-social behaviour (+16%).
The largest falls were in burglary (-35%) and violence and sexual offences (-30%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 175 | 16.7 | 0.49 | -30% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 144 | 13.7 | 0.89 | +16% |
| Shoplifting | 83 | 7.9 | 0.95 | -29% |
| Public order | 51 | 4.9 | 0.73 | +24% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 42 | 4.0 | 0.59 | -2% |
| Other theft | 42 | 4.0 | 0.63 | -30% |
| Vehicle crime | 27 | 2.6 | 0.52 | -10% |
| Burglary | 15 | 1.4 | 0.40 | -35% |
| Drugs | 15 | 1.4 | 0.44 | +0% |
| Other crime | 12 | 1.1 | 0.54 | -37% |
| Bicycle theft | 10 | 1.0 | 1.16 | -23% |
| Possession of weapons | 10 | 1.0 | 0.98 | +67% |
| Robbery | 8 | 0.8 | 0.56 | -11% |
| Theft from the person | 2 | 0.2 | 0.11 | +100% |
Violence and sexual offences in Westbourne & Poets' Corner
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Westbourne & Poets' Corner recorded 175 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (16.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 30% on the year before. It made up 27.5% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Westbourne & Poets' Corner
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Westbourne & Poets' Corner recorded 144 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 22.6% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Westbourne & Poets' Corner
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Westbourne & Poets' Corner recorded 83 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 13.1% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Westbourne & Poets' Corner
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Westbourne & Poets' Corner recorded 51 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 24% on the year before. It made up 8.0% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Westbourne & Poets' Corner
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Westbourne & Poets' Corner recorded 42 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 6.6% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Westbourne & Poets' Corner
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Westbourne & Poets' Corner recorded 42 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 down 30% on the year before. It made up 6.6% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Westbourne & Poets' Corner
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Westbourne & Poets' Corner recorded 27 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Westbourne & Poets' Corner
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Westbourne & Poets' Corner recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 35% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Westbourne & Poets' Corner
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Westbourne & Poets' Corner recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Westbourne & Poets' Corner
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Westbourne & Poets' Corner recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 37% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Westbourne & Poets' Corner
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Westbourne & Poets' Corner recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Westbourne & Poets' Corner
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Westbourne & Poets' Corner recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 67% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Westbourne & Poets' Corner
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Westbourne & Poets' Corner recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Westbourne & Poets' Corner
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Westbourne & Poets' Corner recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Westbourne & Poets' Corner, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Westbourne & Poets' Corner.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Westbourne & Poets' Corner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Hove | 1,495 | 125.7 | +107% |
| Wish | 782 | 78.0 | +29% |
| Goldsmid | 889 | 61.5 | +2% |
| Hangleton & Knoll | 1,316 | 85.7 | +41% |
| Brunswick & Adelaide | 877 | 85.6 | +41% |
| Westdene & Hove Park | 783 | 48.7 | -20% |
| South Portslade | 1,194 | 117.8 | +95% |
| Regency | 6,264 | 625.7 | +933% |
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 Westbourne & Poets' Corner over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 99 |
| On or near School Road | 38 |
| On or near Alpine Road | 32 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 29 |
| On or near Scott Road | 24 |
| On or near Westbourne Villas | 23 |
| On or near Sackville Road | 22 |
| On or near Arthur Street | 20 |
| On or near Cowper Street | 20 |
| On or near Shelley Road | 20 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Westbourne & Poets' Corner 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 | 256 | 40.3% |
| Not recorded | 144 | 22.6% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 139 | 21.9% |
| Under investigation | 39 | 6.1% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 17 | 2.7% |
| Local resolution | 12 | 1.9% |
| Status update unavailable | 11 | 1.7% |
| Court result unavailable | 7 | 1.1% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 6 | 0.9% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.5% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.2% |
| Offender given a caution | 1 | 0.2% |
Westbourne & Poets' Corner has an estimated population of 10,500. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Westbourne & Poets' Corner sits in decile 5.9, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Westbourne & Poets' Corner |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 16.2% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 68.4% |
| Aged 65 and over | 15.5% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 58.1% |
| Social rented homes | 7.9% |
| Private rented homes | 33.9% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.9 |
Is Westbourne & Poets' Corner a safe place to live?
Westbourne & Poets' Corner recorded 60.6 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 Westbourne & Poets' Corner?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 175 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (144).
Is crime in Westbourne & Poets' Corner going up or down?
Recorded crime in Westbourne & Poets' Corner was down 15% on the year before: 636 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 752 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Westbourne & Poets' Corner?
Westbourne & Poets' Corner 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 Westbourne & Poets' Corner. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.