Crime and Safety in Newhaven
Last updated: 07 Jun 2026
Newhaven is the most dangerous small town in East Sussex, and is among the top 10 most dangerous overall out of East Sussex's 108 towns, villages, and cities. The overall crime rate in Newhaven in 2026 is 93 crimes per 1,000 people. This compares poorly to East Sussex's overall crime rate, coming in 26% higher than the East Sussex rate of 74 per 1,000 daytime population. For England, Wales, and Northern Ireland as a whole, Newhaven is the 29th most dangerous small town, and the 334th most dangerous location out of all towns, cities, and villages.
In August 2025, Newhaven had the worst crime rate in East Sussex for drugs, with 11 crimes reported and a crime rate of 0.78 per 1,000 daytime population. February 2024 was also a bad month for Newhaven residents, when it was East Sussex's most dangerous area for shoplifting, recording 39 crimes at a rate of 2.8 per 1,000 daytime population.
The most common crimes in Newhaven are violence and sexual offences, with 571 offences during 2026, giving a crime rate of 40. This is 8% higher than 2025's figure of 528 offences and a difference of 3.07 from 2025's crime rate of 37. Newhaven's least common crime is theft from the person, with 7 offences recorded in 2026, the same as 2025's figure of 7 crimes.
Newhaven 2026 Crime Scorecard
Most Dangerous
Small Towns, East Sussex
51% higher, regional crime rate
South East
29% higher, national crime rate
England, Wales & NI
Local Crime in Context
As of April 2026, the crime rate in Newhaven is 51% higher than the South East and 29% higher than the England, Wales & Northern Ireland overall figure.
Newhaven Crime Rate Over Time
| Newhaven | |
| South East | |
| England, Wales & NI |
Newhaven Crime Map
Incidents mapped in Newhaven represent the time frame between January 2016 and April 2026. Each point on the map represents an area where crimes have been recorded locally.
Use Crime Map
Hover over a point to see a breakdown of crime types recorded at that location. You can also filter by individual crime types, or use a combinations of offences to visualise the data you need.
See How Newhaven Compares
You can compare Newhaven's crime statistics against any other town, village, or city from across the country. Search for a location's name below to see how they stack up.
Introduction to Newhaven's crime statistics
This crime profile provides a detailed view of crime and safety around Newhaven up to April 2026, the most recent data release available. The crime figures and statistics have been calculated across each of Newhaven's 362 postcodes using three area sizes for comparison:
- Within a Five-Minute Walk
- Within a Ten-Minute Walk
- Within a Fifteen-Minute Walk
Individual crime risk scores and index figures are for the 12-month period ending April 2026 unless otherwise stated.
CrimeRate Insights
Looking into a specific address in Newhaven? CrimeRate Insights reports convert raw numbers into practical insight for any location, from single addresses and postcodes, up to major towns and cities.
Crime rates don’t happen by themselves; they follow people and patterns. Where crowds gather - near pubs and late-night venues, around the station, by supermarkets and forecourts - incidents naturally concentrate.
That doesn’t mean an area is "bad"; it usually means footfall is higher.
Your report explores these factors in a calm, non-judgemental way, putting the numbers in context and helping you spot what’s typical for places like this.
Crime Risk Scores
Newhaven • 12 Months Ending April 2026
The typical five-minute walk within Newhaven has a crime risk score of 667. This is based on analysis of 362 nearby areas within Newhaven, with "most" referring to roughly two thirds of the nearby locations.
Crime risk scores are on a scale of 1 to 1,000 and consider the severity of the crimes involved, as determined by sentencing guidelines. A score of 1 represents the lowest risk, and 1,000 the highest risk. This approach ensures that - unlike overall crime rate figures - bicycle theft is not given the same importance in Newhaven's risk scores as, for example, robbery, or violence & sexual offences.
Within a five-minute walk of the typical location in Newhaven, crime risk scores are typically around 667, while in East Sussex they are average 474.
Areas within a ten-minute walk typically see crime risk scores of 686 (474 for East Sussex), and scores within a fifteen-minute walk are most often around 741 (East Sussex 468).
Trends in Crime Risk
Newhaven
Calculated via Seasonal and Trend decomposition using Loess, the Seasonality Adjusted line represents the original data with seasonality subtracted, and the Trend line has been plotted unadjusted. Overall trend direction has been identified using the Mann-Kendall trend test, and rate calculated from the slope of the best-fit line identified from linear regression.
The 10-year trend indicates a decrease of 2.9% in Newhaven's crime risk score. This is potentially a strong signal of how the crime risk is evolving. Cross-referencing with major cultural events and Covid's impact during this time is advised.
The five-year trend may be static; no significant trend was identified in Newhaven's crime risk scores during this timeframe.
Over the last year, Newhaven's crime risk score has shown an upward trend of approximately 11%, indicating that the risk profile is going up. This is an extremely short time period for crime trend analysis, and caution should be exercised when interpreting this figure.
Crime Rates and Indexes
Newhaven
The CrimeRate Index shows how crime rates compare against the national average.
1.0 equals the average
2.0 is double
3.0 triple
0.5 is half and
0.25 a quarter.
Highest Crime Rates
Newhaven • 12 Months Ending April 2026
Excluding other crime and other theft because their geographic location is often not relevant, anti-social behaviour as its definition is too wide, and bicycle theft for its specificity.
Possession of Weapons offences have a crime rate of 1.54 reports per 1,000 people in Newhaven, which is 2.00 times the national average. This figure is calculated from 22 crime reports logged by Sussex Police during the 12-month period ending April 2026.
For the same period, Sussex Police recorded 141 reports of Public Order in Newhaven, resulting in a crime rate of 9.99 reports per 1,000, and a CrimeRate Index of 1.72.
The crime rate for Shoplifting is 1.68 times the national average at 12 reports per 1,000. This is from 169 crime reports reported to Sussex Police.
Most Significant 3-Year Increases in Crime Types
Newhaven
Excluding other crime and other theft, anti-social behaviour, and bicycle theft, and calculated with the same STL method described in Trends in Crime Risk, using CrimeRate Index figures to identify crime types that are trending above or below the national average, and the analysis timeframe limited to the last three years.
Theft From the Person offences are trending upwards, though the CrimeRate Index three years ago is too low to measure, and the trend should be reviewed with caution.
Burglary offences are trending upwards, and have a CrimeRate Index of 0.88 for the month of April 2026.
Three years ago, the monthly Burglary CrimeRate Index was 0.50 times the national average, and the current trend indicates an increase of 76% over this timeframe.
Drugs offences are trending upwards, and have a CrimeRate Index of 1.22 for the month of April 2026.
Three years ago, the monthly Drugs CrimeRate Index was 1.05 times the national average, and the current trend indicates an increase of 16% over this timeframe.
Most Significant 3-Year Decreases in Crime Types
Newhaven
Calculated with the same methodology as the largest increases section above.
Criminal Damage and Arson offences are trending downwards, and have a CrimeRate Index of 1.83 for the month of April 2026.
Three years ago, the monthly Criminal Damage and Arson CrimeRate Index was 2.32 times the national average, and the current trend indicates a decrease of 21% over this timeframe.
Vehicle Crime offences are trending downwards, and have a CrimeRate Index of 0.40 for the month of April 2026.
Three years ago, the monthly Vehicle Crime CrimeRate Index was 0.66 times the national average, and the current trend indicates a decrease of 39% over this timeframe.
Shoplifting offences are trending downwards, and have a CrimeRate Index of 0.86 for the month of April 2026.
Three years ago, the monthly Shoplifting CrimeRate Index was 1.16 times the national average, and the current trend indicates a decrease of 26% over this timeframe.
Crime Type Breakdown & Heat Map
Newhaven • 12 Months Ending April 2026
Size and colour reflect the CrimeRate Index figures for each type of crime.
Newhaven | East Sussex | South East | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crime Type | Count | Rate | Index | Count | Rate | Index | Count | Rate | Index |
| Anti-Social Behaviour | 376 | 26.64 | 1.89 | 16,018 | 17.42 | 1.23 | 115,500 | 10.87 | 0.77 |
| Bicycle Theft | 12 | 0.84 | 1.62 | 670 | 0.74 | 1.01 | 7,315 | 0.68 | 0.93 |
| Burglary | 31 | 2.17 | 0.76 | 2,223 | 2.42 | 0.77 | 23,535 | 2.23 | 0.71 |
| Criminal Damage and Arson | 120 | 8.50 | 1.35 | 5,927 | 6.45 | 1.03 | 58,501 | 5.50 | 0.88 |
| Drugs | 61 | 4.30 | 1.39 | 2,829 | 3.07 | 0.99 | 25,203 | 2.37 | 0.77 |
| Other Crime | 47 | 3.31 | 1.95 | 1,777 | 1.93 | 1.04 | 17,151 | 1.61 | 0.87 |
| Other Theft | 85 | 6.03 | 1.06 | 5,101 | 5.53 | 0.97 | 51,336 | 4.84 | 0.85 |
| Possession of Weapons | 22 | 1.54 | 2.00 | 1,053 | 1.15 | 1.35 | 8,736 | 0.81 | 0.95 |
| Public Order | 141 | 9.99 | 1.72 | 6,717 | 7.31 | 1.26 | 54,745 | 5.15 | 0.89 |
| Robbery | 12 | 0.84 | 1.06 | 965 | 1.06 | 0.90 | 7,588 | 0.72 | 0.61 |
| Shoplifting | 169 | 11.98 | 1.68 | 10,717 | 11.65 | 1.63 | 72,983 | 6.88 | 0.96 |
| Theft From the Person | 7 | 0.49 | 0.63 | 654 | 0.71 | 0.46 | 4,668 | 0.45 | 0.29 |
| Vehicle Crime | 35 | 2.45 | 0.62 | 2,380 | 2.58 | 0.60 | 34,099 | 3.22 | 0.75 |
| Violence and Sexual Offences | 571 | 40.46 | 1.33 | 26,607 | 28.96 | 0.95 | 286,815 | 26.98 | 0.89 |
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Total Crime by Year
Newhaven | East Sussex | South East | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Count | Rate | Index | Count | Rate | Index | Count | Rate | Index |
| 2026 | 1,313 | 92.90 | 1.33 | 67,620 | 73.56 | 1.02 | 652,675 | 61.44 | 0.85 |
| 2025 | 1,290 | 91.52 | 1.28 | 68,053 | 74.58 | 1.01 | 670,274 | 63.35 | 0.86 |
| 2024 | 1,456 | 105.26 | 1.45 | 68,083 | 75.18 | 1.00 | 690,903 | 65.86 | 0.87 |
| 2023 | 1,282 | 94.72 | 1.27 | 65,164 | 72.58 | 0.92 | 713,547 | 68.83 | 0.87 |
| 2022 | 1,162 | 87.22 | 1.19 | 62,324 | 70.05 | 0.91 | 704,444 | 68.58 | 0.89 |
| 2021 | 1,071 | 80.75 | 1.21 | 57,091 | 64.36 | 0.94 | 625,484 | 61.36 | 0.89 |
| 2020 | 1,216 | 91.82 | 1.28 | 65,780 | 74.02 | 1.00 | 669,219 | 65.97 | 0.89 |
| 2019 | 1,136 | 86.10 | 1.16 | 60,704 | 68.18 | 0.89 | 666,505 | 65.82 | 0.86 |
| 2018 | 999 | 75.92 | 1.12 | 58,790 | 66.08 | 0.93 | 644,142 | 63.85 | 0.90 |
| 2017 | 976 | 74.83 | 1.23 | 56,884 | 63.98 | 1.00 | 552,696 | 55.04 | 0.86 |
| 2016 | 285 | 21.96 | 1.24 | 16,489 | 18.56 | 0.97 | 160,273 | 15.99 | 0.84 |
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Newhaven Compared to Nearby Small Towns
12 Months Ending Apr 2026
| Small Town | Total Crimes | Crime Rate | Rate Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newhaven | 1,313 | 92.90 | - |
| Lewes | 1,410 | 72.33 | 22% safer |
| Peacehaven | 929 | 57.47 | 38% safer |
| Polegate | 515 | 50.29 | 46% safer |
| Hailsham | 1,345 | 53.12 | 43% safer |
| Telscombe | 297 | 38.45 | 59% safer |
| Uckfield | 731 | 41.55 | 55% safer |
| Willingdon and Jevington | 307 | 36.30 | 61% safer |
| Westham | 295 | 33.40 | 64% safer |
| Seaford | 888 | 36.57 | 61% safer |
Comparing Newhaven to the UK's Major Cities
12 Months Ending Apr 2026
| City Name | Crime Rate | Rate Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiff | 79.55 | 14% safer |
| Newcastle upon Tyne | 82.69 | 11% safer |
| Sheffield | 84.09 | 9% safer |
| Newhaven | 92.90 | - |
| Leicester | 97.87 | 5% more dangerous |
| Bristol | 104.64 | 13% more dangerous |
| Birmingham | 105.05 | 13% more dangerous |
| Liverpool | 106.48 | 15% more dangerous |
| Leeds | 107.10 | 15% more dangerous |
| Nottingham | 107.74 | 16% more dangerous |
| Westminster | 125.00 | 35% more dangerous |
CrimeRate Pro
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Offences In and Around Newhaven's Parks & Leisure Spaces
Limited to spaces in Newhaven that are named and have had crimes recorded within their boundaries in the 12 months to Apr 2026.
| Name | ASB | Drugs | Public Order | Robbery | VSO | All Others |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drove Park | 3 | 1 | - | - | 4 | 6 |
| Velley Ponds Open Space | - | - | - | - | 1 | 1 |
| Denton and Mount Pleasant Recreation Ground | 2 | - | - | - | 1 | 4 |
| Seahaven Swimming Pool | 12 | - | 2 | - | 7 | 10 |
Recent Crimes in Newhaven
The 20 most recent crime reports in Newhaven.
| Date | Crime Type | Location | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 2026 | Anti-social behaviour | On or near Hawthorn Rise | |
| April 2026 | Anti-social behaviour | On or near Newfield Road | |
| April 2026 | Anti-social behaviour | On or near Police Station | |
| April 2026 | Anti-social behaviour | On or near Norton Road | |
| April 2026 | Anti-social behaviour | On or near Police Station | |
| April 2026 | Anti-social behaviour | On or near Police Station | |
| April 2026 | Anti-social behaviour | On or near Mckinlay Way | |
| April 2026 | Criminal damage and arson | On or near South Road | |
| April 2026 | Other crime | On or near Supermarket | |
| April 2026 | Public order | On or near Hill Crest Road | |
| April 2026 | Shoplifting | On or near Supermarket | |
| April 2026 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Hawthorn Rise | |
| April 2026 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Police Station | |
| April 2026 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Gibbon Road | |
| April 2026 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Harpers Road | |
| April 2026 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Northdown Road | |
| April 2026 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Supermarket | |
| April 2026 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Tide Mills View | |
| April 2026 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Brazen Close | |
| April 2026 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Lawes Avenue |
Methodology & Data Sources
Newhaven Crime Report
Data Sources & Processing
Every month, CrimeRate processes crime reports from data.police.uk, the UK's official provider of open crime report data. Each crime report includes anonymised coordinates, most often "snapped" to the middle of the nearest street, or to the nearest major landmark. The reports also include the month and year the crime was reported, as well as the type of crime.
Data releases on data.police.uk happen once a month, with a two-month delay. This means that, for example, crimes reported in Newhaven during June 2026 will typically become available in August 2026. The latest release is for Apr 2026 and was released in Jun 2026. To provide current and historical crime statistics, CrimeRate processed 61,669,232 crime reports for the latest release.
Newhaven Data Points
For Newhaven, CrimeRate uses the geographic boundaries provided by The Office for National Statistics in the December 2023 release of their Parishes and Non Civil Parished Areas dataset, using the PARNCP23CD column value E04003778.
Due to the 2021 Census being conducted during a UK-wide Coronavirus lockdown, the daytime population figures released so far cannot be relied on for purposes such as comparing crime rates. Instead, CrimeRate uses Newhaven's daytime - or "workday" - population of 12,126 from the ONS 2011 Census for calculations throughout the site.
All geographic boundaries use the full resolution - extent of the realm versions where provided to avoid missing crime reports near coastlines and rivers - the banks of the Thames in particular - that would otherwise not be included when using the clipped to the coastline datasets.
Calculating Crime Rates
CrimeRate locates the UK region, county, and town/city/village locality for each crime report, and calculates the crime rate by taking the sum of all crime reports, dividing it by the locality's daytime / "workday" population, and multiplying the result by 1,000 to get the crime rate per 1,000.
Crime Risk Score Calculations
CrimeRate calculates crime counts for local, nearby, and wider areas for every postcode in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The postcodes locations are deduplicated by a process that ensures distinct points are approximately 50 metres apart. This process removes the bias that would otherwise come from counting the same crimes several times in heavily populated areas.
Using a custom algorithm developed in-house, CrimeRate applies a crime severity weighting to each area's crime counts, based on the type of crime reported. This increases or decreases the crime count, or zeroes it out entirely, depending on the crime type. A separate crime severity rate is then calculated, standardised, and scaled to fit the crime risk score range of 1 to 1,000, with 1 being the lowest score, and 1,000 the highest.
Crime risk scores undergo further analysis per town, city, and village plus other areas including police forces and neighbourhoods. CrimeRate uses percentiles to work out the most common range of crime risk scores in each locality. This includes identifying the high and low bounds where approximately 68% of scores fall, and finding the median (50th percentile) for easy reference.
The crime types with a weight of zero are: Anti-Social Behaviour; Bicycle Theft; Other Crime; Other Theft; and Shoplifting. The highest weights to are assigned to Violence & Sexual Offences, and the lowest to Vehicle Crime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Crime in Newhaven