Crime Rate in Old Town: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Old Town

The total recorded crimes in Old Town, Eastbourne, UK in May 2025 are around 182 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Old Town crime rate of 1.82 per 1,000 population.

It's important to note that this crime data is based on the Geographic Boundry data provided by the ONS around Old Town, encompassing approximately 99,792 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during May were:

  • Shoplifting: (121) incidents (11.01% increase)
  • Violence and sexual offences: (25) incidents (31.58% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (11) incidents (-26.67% decrease)
Old Town Crime Hotspots

The surrounding areas of below locations have emerged as crime hotspots,

  • Supermarket with total crimes: 125
  • South Avenue with total crimes: 5
  • Salehurst Road with total crimes: 4

How safe is Old Town?

To understand the safety of Old Town, we need to analyze Old Town crime statistics in relation to regional averages. Lets examine the available data and provide a balanced assessment.

  • Relative to Eastbourne:

    • In 2024, Old Town demonstrated a lower crime volume than the Eastbourne average, with 1026 crimes compared to 1558.0. This suggests a relatively safer position within the region for the year. Additionally, Old Town recorded fewer crimes than 6 out of 8 other areas in the Eastbourne.

    • In 2023, Old Town had fewer crimes than the Eastbourne average, with 865 crimes compared to 1,215. This reflects a relatively lower crime rate for the area within the region that year. Additionally, Old Town recorded fewer crimes than 6 out of 8 other areas in the Eastbourne.

  • Overall Assessment:

    • Compared to other areas in Eastbourne, Old Town has a lower crime rate and is considered safer in 2024.

    • The trend in crime rates suggests Negative changes in overall safety.

Old Town Crime Statstics

In May 2025 the Old Town has recorded 182 crimes with crime rate of 1.82 ranking 3th out of 8 in the Eastbourne, UK

In 2024, the total Old Town crimes were 1,026. The crime rate of Old Town in 2024 was 19.86 (year) or 1.66 (month) ranking it 7 dangerous area in the Eastbourne.

In 2023, the total crimes in Old Town were around 865 crimes with yearly crime rate of 15.74 (year) or 1.31 (month) ranking 7 most dangerous area in the Eastbourne.

AreaMay 202520242023
CrimesRank (Old Town)CrimesRank (Old Town)CrimesRank (Old Town)
Devonshire296 13,378 12,800 1
Meads205 22,702 22,290 2
Hampden Park127 41,497 41,037 3
Langney111 51,577 3903 6
St Anthony's108 61,114 6928 4
Upperton100 71,167 5925 5
Sovereign72 9843 8629 8
Ratton93 8715 9558 9

Old Town Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

In May 2025, Shoplifting dominated crime reports (121 incidents), followed by Violence and sexual offences also remained a significant concern (25 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Shoplifting were the most frequent (109 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Violence and sexual offences (19 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Shoplifting (41 incidents) and then Violence and sexual offences showed a substantial number of incidents (24 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Shoplifting saw the largest number of reported crimes with 58 incidents, and Violence and sexual offences was another prevalent crime category with 14 incidents.

December 2024 crime data shows Shoplifting saw the largest number of reported crimes with 37 incidents, and Violence and sexual offences was another prevalent crime category with 13 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Shoplifting (44 reports) and Violence and sexual offences incidents were also notably high (11 cases).

In October 2024, Shoplifting dominated crime reports (69 incidents), followed by Violence and sexual offences also remained a significant concern (17 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Shoplifting were the most frequent (18 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Violence and sexual offences (17 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Shoplifting (48 incidents) and then Violence and sexual offences showed a substantial number of incidents (19 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 21 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 20 incidents.

During June 2024, The highest incident rate was for Shoplifting (78 reports) and Violence and sexual offences incidents were also notably high (28 cases).

In May 2024, Shoplifting dominated crime reports (38 incidents), followed by Violence and sexual offences also remained a significant concern (24 incidents).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 66 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 5.50 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 10 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20258
April 20254
March 20254
February 20255
December 20244
November 20243
October 20246
September 20245
August 20248
July 20242
June 202410
May 20247

A total of 232 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 19.33 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 28 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202525
April 202519
March 202524
February 202514
December 202413
November 202411
October 202417
September 202417
August 202419
July 202421
June 202428
May 202424

A total of 34 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 3.40 incidents per month. February 2025 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 6 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20253
March 20253
February 20256
December 20241
November 20243
October 20243
August 20241
July 20245
June 20246
May 20243

A total of 32 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 2.91 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 6 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20251
April 20252
March 20252
February 20253
December 20243
November 20243
October 20243
September 20245
July 20243
June 20246
May 20241

A total of 65 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 5.42 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 8 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20256
April 20258
March 20254
February 20256
December 20242
November 20246
October 20247
September 20245
August 20244
July 20243
June 20248
May 20246

A total of 18 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 2.25 incidents per month. February 2025 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 4 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20252
March 20251
February 20254
December 20243
September 20241
August 20241
June 20244
May 20242

A total of 98 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 8.17 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 16 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202511
April 202515
March 202510
February 20259
December 20241
November 20242
October 20245
September 20244
August 20249
July 20247
June 202416
May 20249

A total of 5 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.67 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20252
February 20251
June 20242

A total of 681 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 56.75 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 121 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025121
April 2025109
March 202541
February 202558
December 202437
November 202444
October 202469
September 202418
August 202448
July 202420
June 202478
May 202438

A total of 47 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 3.92 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 12 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20252
April 20254
March 20252
February 20251
December 20246
November 20247
October 20242
September 20244
August 20243
July 20241
June 202412
May 20243

A total of 6 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.00 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 1 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20251
March 20251
February 20251
November 20241
October 20241
July 20241

A total of 9 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 2.25 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 3 reported cases.

MonthCount
October 20242
September 20242
August 20243
May 20242

A total of 2 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.00 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 1 reported cases.

MonthCount
August 20241
May 20241

A total of 2 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 2.00 incidents per month. May 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20242

High Crime Locations Old Town in May 2025

A detailed breakdown of crime incidents by location within the Old Town postcode area is presented below.

1. Supermarket (Map)
Total125
Shoplifting121
Anti-social behaviour2
Robbery1
Violence and sexual offences1
2. South Avenue (Map)
Total5
Violence and sexual offences5
3. Salehurst Road (Map)
Total4
Anti-social behaviour3
Possession of weapons1
4. Wessex Place (Map)
Total3
Violence and sexual offences3
5. Royal Sussex Crescent (Map)
Total3
Violence and sexual offences2
Public order1
6. Downs Avenue (Map)
Total3
Violence and sexual offences2
Public order1
7. Birling Street (Map)
Total3
Violence and sexual offences3
8. Priory Heights (Map)
Total2
Criminal damage and arson1
Violence and sexual offences1
9. Long Acre Close (Map)
Total2
Public order1
Violence and sexual offences1
10. Bradford Street (Map)
Total2
Anti-social behaviour1
Criminal damage and arson1

  • Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2021. This data is licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
  • Contains Office for National Statistics data licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0
  • Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.