Crime in Brighton and Hove: statistics, rates and trends

34,620 crimes were recorded in Brighton and Hove in the 12 months to July 2026, 123.3 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 2% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 10,049 reports (29% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Brighton and Hove has the 154th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Brighton and Hove was highest in the year to July 2020 (35,988 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2023 (31,797). Over the whole period it rose 2%, 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 Brighton and Hove 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. Rates were well above the national level for anti-social behaviour, shoplifting, public order.

The largest increases were in robbery (+34%) and anti-social behaviour (+26%). The largest falls were in burglary (-27%) and bicycle theft (-20%).

Violence and sexual offences in Brighton and Hove

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Brighton and Hove recorded 10,049 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (35.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 29.0% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Brighton and Hove

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Brighton and Hove recorded 7,116 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (25.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 26% on the year before. It made up 20.6% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Brighton and Hove

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Brighton and Hove recorded 4,696 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (16.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 13.6% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Brighton and Hove

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Brighton and Hove recorded 3,047 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 8.8% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Brighton and Hove

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Brighton and Hove recorded 2,372 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 6.9% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Brighton and Hove

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Brighton and Hove recorded 2,019 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Brighton and Hove

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Brighton and Hove recorded 1,345 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 3.9% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Brighton and Hove

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Brighton and Hove recorded 895 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Brighton and Hove

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Brighton and Hove recorded 741 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 27% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Brighton and Hove

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Brighton and Hove recorded 676 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Brighton and Hove

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Brighton and Hove recorded 480 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 34% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Brighton and Hove

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Brighton and Hove recorded 421 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Brighton and Hove

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Brighton and Hove recorded 386 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Brighton and Hove

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Brighton and Hove recorded 377 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the towns closest to Brighton and Hove, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Brighton and Hove.

23 areas within Brighton and Hove, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Regency had the highest rate (625.7 per 1,000) and Rottingdean & West Saltdean the lowest (43.3). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

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 Brighton and Hove over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Brighton and Hove 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.

Brighton and Hove has an estimated population of 280,869. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Brighton and Hove sits in decile 5.7, close to the middle. 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 Brighton and Hove. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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