Crime in Hastings: statistics, rates and trends

13,034 crimes were recorded in Hastings in the 12 months to July 2026, 142.9 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 18% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 4,102 reports (31% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Hastings has the 81st highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Hastings was highest in the year to July 2026 (13,034 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (11,081). Over the whole period it rose 8%, 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 Hastings 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 violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour, shoplifting.

The largest increases were in robbery (+100%) and vehicle crime (+66%).

Violence and sexual offences in Hastings

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Hastings recorded 4,102 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (45.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 31.5% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Hastings

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Hastings recorded 2,534 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (27.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 51% on the year before. It made up 19.4% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Hastings

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Hastings recorded 1,680 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (18.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 30% on the year before. It made up 12.9% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Hastings

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Hastings recorded 986 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 up 15% on the year before. It made up 7.6% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Hastings

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Hastings recorded 976 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 7.5% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Hastings

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Hastings recorded 677 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 66% on the year before. It made up 5.2% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Hastings

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Hastings recorded 676 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 5.2% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Hastings

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Hastings recorded 362 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 21% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Hastings

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Hastings recorded 330 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 24% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Hastings

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Hastings recorded 249 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Hastings

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Hastings recorded 171 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Hastings

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Hastings recorded 160 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Hastings

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Hastings recorded 80 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Hastings

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Hastings recorded 51 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

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

16 areas within Hastings, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Castle had the highest rate (427.5 per 1,000) and St Helens the lowest (45.5). 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 Hastings over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Hastings 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.

Hastings has an estimated population of 91,219. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Hastings sits in decile 2.9, more deprived than average. 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 Hastings. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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