Lancing and Sompting Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Lancing and Sompting’s crime rate for January 2024 stood at 6.1 per 1,000 residents, 17.6% below the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000. This figure, while slightly higher than the previous month’s rate of 5.1 per 1,000, reflects a generally safe built-up area within Adur. The most common crime types were violence and sexual offences (32.6% of total incidents) and shoplifting (25.0%), with the latter significantly outpacing the UK average by 163%. Violence and sexual offences, though the largest category, remained 23% below the UK average, suggesting a lower prevalence of violent crime in this area compared to national trends. Seasonal factors, including the post-holiday period and shorter daylight hours, may have influenced the crime profile, with reduced outdoor activity potentially dampening incidents of public order and vehicle crime. However, the sharp rise in shoplifting could be linked to increased retail theft during January, exacerbated by lower staff presence in stores following the Christmas period. The area’s crime mix also showed a slight tilt toward property crimes, with 49% of incidents classified as such, compared to 51% in the UK overall. This balance, along with the area’s consistently lower-than-average burglary and anti-social behaviour rates, illustrates a community where property crimes dominate but are tempered by strong local policing or community engagement. The relatively low crime rate, combined with the specific spikes in shoplifting and drugs-related offences, highlights the need for targeted interventions in retail and drug-related crime without compromising the area’s overall safety profile.

January 2024 saw a stark increase in shoplifting, with incidents surging from nine to 43—a 377.8% rise—likely tied to post-holiday retail activity and reduced footfall in local stores. This spike contrasts sharply with the UK average, where shoplifting rates are 163% below the national figure, indicating a unique local dynamic. Meanwhile, drugs-related offences more than doubled, rising from three to eight, a 166.7% increase that may reflect seasonal patterns or shifts in local demographics. On the other hand, public order offences dropped by 50%, from eight to four, possibly linked to shorter days and reduced social gatherings typical of January. Burglary also fell by 25%, from four to three, a decline consistent with the area’s overall lower-than-average burglary rates (72% below the UK average). These fluctuations suggest a combination of seasonal factors and local crime drivers, with retail environments and community activities emerging as key influences.

The crime rate in Lancing and Sompting rose by 20.4% from 5.1 per 1,000 in December 2023 to 6.1 per 1,000 in January 2024, marking a notable shift in the monthly trend. This increase, though modest in absolute terms, translates to roughly six crimes reported per day in January—a figure that, while low, reflects the area’s generally safe profile. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 165 residents, underscoring the relatively low frequency of incidents in this built-up area. When compared to the UK average, the area’s crime rate remains 17.6% below the national figure, a consistent pattern that highlights its lower-than-average exposure to crime. The population-scaled perspective reveals that the area’s small size and possibly lower population density may contribute to this trend, though local factors such as community engagement or policing strategies could also play a role. These figures, while not alarmingly high, warrant attention to the specific categories that saw significant changes, such as the sharp rise in shoplifting and drugs-related offences.