Crime Rates at Merlin Close, Hove, BN3 6NU

Merlin Close area has the 27th lowest crime rate of 53 local areas in Preston Park , and the 352nd lowest crime rate of 805 local areas in Brighton and Hove .

This postcode forms a relatively safe pocket compared with the surrounding streets. Neighbouring areas record much higher crime levels, even though this postcode itself remains comparatively low-crime.

The overall crime rate in the area around Merlin Close (BN3 6NU) in the last 12 months was 51.9 per 1,000 residents and was 18.3% higher than the Preston Park average (43.9 per 1,000 residents). In the last 12 months, this area’s most reported crimes were Violence and sexual offences with 7 offences recorded. The least common crime was Criminal damage and arson with 1 case , unchanged from 2025. All major crime categories fell. The sharpest drop was Other theft ( -50.0% YoY).

Violent crimes totalled 8 (≈ 27.7 per 1,000 residents). Year-over-year these were flat ( 0.0% ). Over the last decade, overall crime has falling ( -40.2% comparing early vs recent averages) .

In the area around Merlin Close (BN3 6NU), the main crime hotspot is near Greyfriars. Police recorded 19 crimes here, including 12 violent or public-order offences. All these locations are within roughly 0.3 miles.