Crime in Hailsham: statistics, rates and trends

1,814 crimes were recorded in Hailsham in the 12 months to July 2026, 83.9 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 32% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 565 reports (31% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Hailsham has the 549th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Hailsham was highest in the year to July 2020 (1,940 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (1,350). Over the whole period it rose 20%, 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 Hailsham 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.

The largest increases were in drugs (+105%) and anti-social behaviour (+97%). The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-26%).

Violence and sexual offences in Hailsham

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Hailsham recorded 565 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (26.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 31.1% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Hailsham

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Hailsham recorded 547 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 97% on the year before. It made up 30.2% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Hailsham

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Hailsham recorded 145 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 8.0% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Hailsham

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Hailsham recorded 140 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 46% on the year before. It made up 7.7% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Hailsham

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Hailsham recorded 110 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Hailsham

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Hailsham recorded 97 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 39% on the year before. It made up 5.3% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Hailsham

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Hailsham recorded 46 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Hailsham

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Hailsham recorded 45 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 105% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Hailsham

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Hailsham recorded 41 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Hailsham

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Hailsham recorded 39 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Hailsham

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Hailsham recorded 21 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 91% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Hailsham

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Hailsham recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 67% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Hailsham

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Hailsham recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 500% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Hailsham

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Hailsham recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 0.1% of all crime in the area.

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

6 areas within Hailsham, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Hailsham Central had the highest rate (122.3 per 1,000) and Hailsham North the lowest (31.0). 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 Hailsham over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Hailsham 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.

Hailsham has an estimated population of 21,628. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Hailsham sits in decile 6.0, 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 Hailsham. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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