Crime in Seaford: statistics, rates and trends
1,143 crimes were recorded in Seaford in the 12 months to July 2026, 47.8 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 8% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Seaford at a glance
- Crime trends in Seaford
- Types of crime in Seaford
- Seaford compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Seaford
- Streets with the most crime in Seaford
- What happened after crimes were reported in Seaford
- Population and deprivation in Seaford
- Questions about crime in Seaford
- About this data
1,143 crimes were recorded in Seaford in the 12 months to July 2026, 47.8 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 8% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 442 reports (39% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Seaford has the 1,196th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Seaford | Lewes | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,143 | 7,407 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 47.8 | 72.4 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -8% | +4% | -1% |
| Population | 23,907 | 102,363 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Seaford was highest in the year to July 2020 (1,512 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2023 (1,089). Over the whole period it fell 11%, 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 | 1,143 | 47.8 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,245 | 52.1 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,161 | 48.6 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,089 | 45.6 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,222 | 51.1 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,334 | 55.8 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,512 | 63.2 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,378 | 57.6 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,291 | 54.0 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 126 |
| June 2026 | 109 |
| May 2026 | 103 |
| April 2026 | 100 |
| March 2026 | 87 |
| February 2026 | 94 |
| January 2026 | 79 |
| December 2025 | 62 |
| November 2025 | 72 |
| October 2025 | 95 |
| September 2025 | 97 |
| August 2025 | 119 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Seaford 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. The largest increases were in anti-social behaviour (+26%) and other crime (+16%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-60%) and burglary (-39%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 442 | 18.5 | 0.54 | +11% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 260 | 10.9 | 0.71 | +26% |
| Public order | 88 | 3.7 | 0.55 | -36% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 87 | 3.6 | 0.54 | -4% |
| Shoplifting | 72 | 3.0 | 0.36 | -60% |
| Other theft | 61 | 2.6 | 0.40 | -27% |
| Vehicle crime | 30 | 1.3 | 0.25 | -12% |
| Other crime | 29 | 1.2 | 0.57 | +16% |
| Drugs | 24 | 1.0 | 0.31 | -14% |
| Burglary | 20 | 0.8 | 0.24 | -39% |
| Possession of weapons | 10 | 0.4 | 0.43 | -44% |
| Theft from the person | 10 | 0.4 | 0.25 | +100% |
| Bicycle theft | 5 | 0.2 | 0.25 | +150% |
| Robbery | 5 | 0.2 | 0.15 | +67% |
Violence and sexual offences in Seaford
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Seaford recorded 442 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (18.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 38.7% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Seaford
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Seaford recorded 260 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 26% on the year before. It made up 22.7% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Seaford
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Seaford recorded 88 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 36% on the year before. It made up 7.7% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Seaford
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Seaford recorded 87 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 7.6% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Seaford
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Seaford recorded 72 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 60% on the year before. It made up 6.3% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Seaford
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Seaford recorded 61 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 27% on the year before. It made up 5.3% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Seaford
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Seaford recorded 30 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Seaford
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Seaford recorded 29 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Seaford
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Seaford recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Seaford
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Seaford recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 39% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Seaford
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Seaford recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 44% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Seaford
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Seaford recorded 10 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 up 100% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Seaford
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Seaford recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 150% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Seaford
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Seaford recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 67% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Seaford, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Seaford.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Seaford |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newhaven | 2,021 | 134.6 | +182% |
| Peacehaven | 1,166 | 72.1 | +51% |
| Lower Willingdon | 386 | 47.8 | -0% |
| Polegate | 589 | 62.4 | +30% |
| Eastbourne | 14,193 | 142.0 | +197% |
| Lewes | 1,813 | 110.3 | +131% |
| Hailsham | 1,814 | 83.9 | +75% |
| Brighton and Hove | 34,620 | 123.3 | +158% |
5 areas within Seaford, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Seaford Central had the highest rate (75.1 per 1,000) and Seaford West the lowest (29.7). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seaford Central | Neighbourhood | 5,031 | 378 | 75.1 |
| Seaford South | Neighbourhood | 4,345 | 276 | 63.5 |
| Seaford East | Neighbourhood | 5,026 | 195 | 38.8 |
| Seaford North | Neighbourhood | 5,061 | 162 | 32.0 |
| Seaford West | Neighbourhood | 4,444 | 132 | 29.7 |
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 Seaford over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 84 |
| On or near Broad Street | 48 |
| On or near Parking Area | 33 |
| On or near Etherton Way | 29 |
| On or near Warwick Road | 22 |
| On or near Lexden Court | 18 |
| On or near Little Place Lane | 18 |
| On or near Park/Open Space | 18 |
| On or near Pelham Road | 18 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 18 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Seaford 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 | 342 | 29.9% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 306 | 26.8% |
| Not recorded | 260 | 22.7% |
| Under investigation | 95 | 8.3% |
| Status update unavailable | 34 | 3.0% |
| Local resolution | 28 | 2.4% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 27 | 2.4% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 14 | 1.2% |
| Court result unavailable | 10 | 0.9% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 9 | 0.8% |
| Offender given a caution | 8 | 0.7% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 6 | 0.5% |
Seaford has an estimated population of 23,907. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Seaford sits in decile 7.1, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Seaford |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 13.5% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 50.8% |
| Aged 65 and over | 35.7% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 76.6% |
| Social rented homes | 8.0% |
| Private rented homes | 15.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 7.1 |
Is Seaford a safe place to live?
Seaford recorded 47.8 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, lower 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 Seaford?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 442 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (260).
Is crime in Seaford going up or down?
Recorded crime in Seaford was down 8% on the year before: 1,143 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,245 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Seaford?
Seaford 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 Seaford. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.