Crime in Newhaven: statistics, rates and trends
2,021 crimes were recorded in Newhaven in the 12 months to July 2026, 134.6 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 23% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Newhaven at a glance
- Crime trends in Newhaven
- Types of crime in Newhaven
- Newhaven compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Newhaven
- Streets with the most crime in Newhaven
- What happened after crimes were reported in Newhaven
- Population and deprivation in Newhaven
- Questions about crime in Newhaven
- About this data
2,021 crimes were recorded in Newhaven in the 12 months to July 2026, 134.6 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 23% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 673 reports (33% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Newhaven has the 105th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Newhaven | Lewes | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 2,021 | 7,407 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 134.6 | 72.4 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +23% | +4% | -1% |
| Population | 15,016 | 102,363 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Newhaven was highest in the year to July 2026 (2,021 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2022 (1,551). Over the whole period it rose 24%, 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 | 2,021 | 134.6 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,643 | 109.4 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,832 | 122.0 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,694 | 112.8 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,551 | 103.3 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,783 | 118.7 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,602 | 106.7 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,801 | 119.9 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,635 | 108.9 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 234 |
| June 2026 | 196 |
| May 2026 | 234 |
| April 2026 | 182 |
| March 2026 | 170 |
| February 2026 | 137 |
| January 2026 | 159 |
| December 2025 | 144 |
| November 2025 | 129 |
| October 2025 | 143 |
| September 2025 | 123 |
| August 2025 | 170 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Newhaven 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 anti-social behaviour (+73%) and drugs (+70%). The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-31%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 673 | 44.8 | 1.31 | +11% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 484 | 32.2 | 2.10 | +73% |
| Shoplifting | 182 | 12.1 | 1.46 | +3% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 171 | 11.4 | 1.68 | +38% |
| Public order | 171 | 11.4 | 1.71 | +28% |
| Other theft | 85 | 5.7 | 0.89 | -4% |
| Drugs | 63 | 4.2 | 1.28 | +70% |
| Other crime | 56 | 3.7 | 1.77 | +27% |
| Vehicle crime | 46 | 3.1 | 0.62 | -31% |
| Burglary | 33 | 2.2 | 0.62 | +3% |
| Possession of weapons | 22 | 1.5 | 1.51 | -4% |
| Robbery | 15 | 1.0 | 0.74 | +15% |
| Bicycle theft | 13 | 0.9 | 1.05 | +44% |
| Theft from the person | 7 | 0.5 | 0.28 | -30% |
Violence and sexual offences in Newhaven
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Newhaven recorded 673 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (44.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 33.3% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Newhaven
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Newhaven recorded 484 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (32.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 73% on the year before. It made up 23.9% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Newhaven
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Newhaven recorded 182 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 9.0% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Newhaven
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Newhaven recorded 171 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 38% on the year before. It made up 8.5% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Newhaven
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Newhaven recorded 171 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 28% on the year before. It made up 8.5% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Newhaven
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Newhaven recorded 85 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Newhaven
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Newhaven recorded 63 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 70% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Newhaven
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Newhaven recorded 56 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 27% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Newhaven
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Newhaven recorded 46 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 31% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Newhaven
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Newhaven recorded 33 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Newhaven
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Newhaven recorded 22 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Newhaven
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Newhaven recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 15% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Newhaven
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Newhaven recorded 13 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 44% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Newhaven
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Newhaven recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 30% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Newhaven, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Newhaven.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Newhaven |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peacehaven | 1,166 | 72.1 | -46% |
| Seaford | 1,143 | 47.8 | -64% |
| Lewes | 1,813 | 110.3 | -18% |
| Lower Willingdon | 386 | 47.8 | -65% |
| Polegate | 589 | 62.4 | -54% |
| Brighton and Hove | 34,620 | 123.3 | -8% |
| Hailsham | 1,814 | 83.9 | -38% |
| Eastbourne | 14,193 | 142.0 | +6% |
2 areas within Newhaven, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Newhaven South had the highest rate (166.7 per 1,000) and Newhaven North the lowest (113.0). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newhaven South | Neighbourhood | 7,301 | 1,217 | 166.7 |
| Newhaven North | Neighbourhood | 6,099 | 689 | 113.0 |
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 Newhaven over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Railway Road | 162 |
| On or near Supermarket | 135 |
| On or near Parking Area | 93 |
| On or near Police Station | 56 |
| On or near Tide Mills View | 56 |
| On or near Western Road | 50 |
| On or near Hanson Road | 48 |
| On or near Further/Higher Educational Building | 39 |
| On or near North Lane | 37 |
| On or near Rectory Close | 36 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Newhaven 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 | 633 | 31.3% |
| Not recorded | 484 | 23.9% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 478 | 23.7% |
| Under investigation | 177 | 8.8% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 69 | 3.4% |
| Local resolution | 65 | 3.2% |
| Status update unavailable | 50 | 2.5% |
| Court result unavailable | 17 | 0.8% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 15 | 0.7% |
| Offender given a caution | 11 | 0.5% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 8 | 0.4% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 7 | 0.3% |
Newhaven has an estimated population of 15,016. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Newhaven sits in decile 3.6, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Newhaven |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 19.8% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 61.1% |
| Aged 65 and over | 19.1% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 60.3% |
| Social rented homes | 14.6% |
| Private rented homes | 24.8% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 3.6 |
Is Newhaven a safe place to live?
Newhaven recorded 134.6 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, higher than 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 Newhaven?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 673 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (484).
Is crime in Newhaven going up or down?
Recorded crime in Newhaven was up 23% on the year before: 2,021 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,643 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Newhaven?
Newhaven 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 Newhaven. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.