Crime in Eastbourne: statistics, rates and trends

14,193 crimes were recorded in Eastbourne in the 12 months to July 2026, 142.0 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 7% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 4,267 reports (30% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Eastbourne has the 83rd highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Eastbourne was highest in the year to July 2026 (14,193 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (11,237). Over the whole period it rose 26%, 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 Eastbourne 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 anti-social behaviour (+59%) and drugs (+52%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-19%) and burglary (-18%).

Violence and sexual offences in Eastbourne

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Eastbourne recorded 4,267 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (42.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 30.1% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Eastbourne

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Eastbourne recorded 3,094 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (31.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 59% on the year before. It made up 21.8% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Eastbourne

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Eastbourne recorded 2,224 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (22.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 15.7% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Eastbourne

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Eastbourne recorded 1,042 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 7.3% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Eastbourne

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Eastbourne recorded 932 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 6.6% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Eastbourne

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Eastbourne recorded 658 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 4.6% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Eastbourne

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Eastbourne recorded 524 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 52% on the year before. It made up 3.7% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Eastbourne

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Eastbourne recorded 397 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Eastbourne

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Eastbourne recorded 279 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Eastbourne

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Eastbourne recorded 217 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Eastbourne

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Eastbourne recorded 186 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 34% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Eastbourne

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Eastbourne recorded 172 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Eastbourne

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Eastbourne recorded 114 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Eastbourne

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Eastbourne recorded 87 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

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

9 areas within Eastbourne, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Devonshire had the highest rate (224.6 per 1,000) and Sovereign the lowest (71.3). 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 Eastbourne over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Eastbourne 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.

Eastbourne has an estimated population of 99,922. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Eastbourne sits in decile 4.7, 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 Eastbourne. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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