Crime in Lewes: statistics, rates and trends
1,813 crimes were recorded in Lewes in the 12 months to July 2026, 110.3 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 2% on the year before.
Table of Contents
1,813 crimes were recorded in Lewes in the 12 months to July 2026, 110.3 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 2% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 535 reports (30% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Lewes has the 260th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Lewes | Lewes | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,813 | 7,407 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 110.3 | 72.4 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +2% | +4% | -1% |
| Population | 16,439 | 102,363 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Lewes was highest in the year to July 2019 (2,006 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2023 (1,754). Over the whole period it fell 5%, 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 | 1,813 | 110.3 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,785 | 108.6 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,858 | 113.0 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,754 | 106.7 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,820 | 110.7 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,780 | 108.3 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,914 | 116.4 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 2,006 | 122.0 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,899 | 115.5 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 179 |
| June 2026 | 193 |
| May 2026 | 177 |
| April 2026 | 146 |
| March 2026 | 139 |
| February 2026 | 128 |
| January 2026 | 131 |
| December 2025 | 138 |
| November 2025 | 159 |
| October 2025 | 136 |
| September 2025 | 134 |
| August 2025 | 153 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Lewes 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, criminal damage and arson, shoplifting.
The largest increases were in criminal damage and arson (+29%) and anti-social behaviour (+23%). The largest falls were in possession of weapons (-32%) and violence and sexual offences (-11%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 535 | 32.5 | 0.95 | -11% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 447 | 27.2 | 1.77 | +23% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 185 | 11.3 | 1.66 | +29% |
| Shoplifting | 177 | 10.8 | 1.30 | -2% |
| Public order | 119 | 7.2 | 1.09 | -7% |
| Other theft | 91 | 5.5 | 0.87 | +0% |
| Other crime | 84 | 5.1 | 2.42 | -6% |
| Drugs | 52 | 3.2 | 0.97 | -5% |
| Burglary | 46 | 2.8 | 0.79 | -4% |
| Vehicle crime | 30 | 1.8 | 0.37 | -6% |
| Bicycle theft | 19 | 1.2 | 1.40 | +36% |
| Possession of weapons | 15 | 0.9 | 0.94 | -32% |
| Theft from the person | 7 | 0.4 | 0.25 | -22% |
| Robbery | 6 | 0.4 | 0.27 | -50% |
Violence and sexual offences in Lewes
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Lewes recorded 535 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (32.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 29.5% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Lewes
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Lewes recorded 447 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (27.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 23% on the year before. It made up 24.7% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Lewes
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Lewes recorded 185 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 29% on the year before. It made up 10.2% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Lewes
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Lewes recorded 177 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 9.8% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Lewes
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Lewes recorded 119 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 6.6% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Lewes
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Lewes recorded 91 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Lewes
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Lewes recorded 84 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 4.6% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Lewes
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Lewes recorded 52 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Lewes
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Lewes recorded 46 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 4% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Lewes
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Lewes recorded 30 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Lewes
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Lewes recorded 19 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 36% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Lewes
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Lewes recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 32% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Lewes
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Lewes recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Lewes
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Lewes recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Lewes, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Lewes.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Lewes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peacehaven | 1,166 | 72.1 | -35% |
| Newhaven | 2,021 | 134.6 | +22% |
| Brighton and Hove | 34,620 | 123.3 | +12% |
| Uckfield | 951 | 60.7 | -45% |
| Hassocks and Hurstpierpoint | 922 | 61.8 | -44% |
| Burgess Hill | 2,476 | 72.1 | -35% |
| Seaford | 1,143 | 47.8 | -57% |
| Haywards Heath | 2,229 | 54.0 | -51% |
3 areas within Lewes, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Lewes Bridge had the highest rate (152.5 per 1,000) and Lewes Castle the lowest (83.0). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lewes Bridge | Neighbourhood | 4,970 | 758 | 152.5 |
| Lewes Priory | Neighbourhood | 6,975 | 682 | 97.8 |
| Lewes Castle | Neighbourhood | 4,494 | 373 | 83.0 |
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 Lewes over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Prison | 195 |
| On or near St Michael'S Terrace | 147 |
| On or near Eastgate Wharf | 108 |
| On or near Parking Area | 88 |
| On or near Supermarket | 54 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 36 |
| On or near Mountfield Road | 34 |
| On or near Wellington Street | 32 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 30 |
| On or near Station Street | 28 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Lewes 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 | 639 | 35.2% |
| Not recorded | 447 | 24.7% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 385 | 21.2% |
| Under investigation | 130 | 7.2% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 67 | 3.7% |
| Local resolution | 45 | 2.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 44 | 2.4% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 17 | 0.9% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 11 | 0.6% |
| Court result unavailable | 10 | 0.6% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 9 | 0.5% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 6 | 0.3% |
Lewes has an estimated population of 16,439. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Lewes sits in decile 6.5, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Lewes |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 15.6% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 61.4% |
| Aged 65 and over | 23.0% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 65.8% |
| Social rented homes | 16.3% |
| Private rented homes | 17.8% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.5 |
Is Lewes a safe place to live?
Lewes recorded 110.3 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, close to 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 Lewes?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 535 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (447).
Is crime in Lewes going up or down?
Recorded crime in Lewes was up 2% on the year before: 1,813 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,785 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Lewes?
Lewes 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 Lewes. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.