Shoreham-by-Sea Crime Rate July 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Shoreham-by-Sea's crime rate in July 2023 stood at 10.1 per 1,000 residents, placing it 21.7% above the UK average of 8.3 per 1,000. This coastal town, known for its summer tourism and bustling high street, saw shoplifting emerge as the most prevalent crime, accounting for 27.1% of all reported incidents. Violence and sexual offences followed closely at 22.5%, while anti-social behaviour made up 13.3% of the total. The seasonal context of July—peak summer, school holidays, and a surge in visitors—likely contributes to the elevated rates of retail-related crimes. Shoreham-by-Sea's retail presence, particularly along its main thoroughfares, may amplify opportunities for shoplifting, a trend consistent with other coastal resorts during peak tourist periods. However, the area's violent crime rate remains 17% below the UK average, suggesting that local policing efforts or community dynamics may temper more serious incidents. The spike in public order offences, 61% above the UK average, could reflect the challenges of managing crowds during festivals or events, which are common in the region during this time of year. While the overall crime rate is higher than the national average, the breakdown of offences highlights a focus on property crimes rather than violent crime, a pattern often seen in areas with strong tourism sectors. The data underscores the complex relationship between seasonal activity and local crime trends, with Shoreham-by-Sea's unique character as a coastal town shaping the nature of its crime profile.

July 2023 saw a dramatic 550% increase in shoplifting compared to June, with the category rising from 10 to 65 reported incidents. This surge, which outpaced all other crime types, may be attributed to the town's high street becoming a magnet for tourists and summer visitors, creating opportunities for retail theft. Concurrently, vehicle crime skyrocketed by 1300%, jumping from one incident to 14. This sharp rise could be linked to increased foot traffic in car parks or the presence of unattended vehicles during festivals and events. In contrast, other theft and other crime both declined, with the former falling by 20% and the latter by 50%, suggesting that targeted interventions or natural fluctuations may have curbed these categories. The breakdown of offences also reveals stark contrasts with UK averages: shoplifting in Shoreham-by-Sea is 350% above the national rate, while violent crime is 17% below. These disparities highlight the area's unique crime dynamics, where tourism-driven retail crime dominates over other categories. For residents, the most immediate concern is the sharp rise in shoplifting, which may prompt increased vigilance in local stores or the implementation of additional security measures. The data also shows that anti-social behaviour, though a significant portion of the total, remains 1% below the UK average, indicating that local initiatives may be effectively addressing this issue. The combination of these trends illustrates a town grappling with the dual pressures of summer tourism and the associated challenges of managing public spaces and retail environments.

Shoreham-by-Sea's crime rate in July 2023 rose from 5.0 per 1,000 in June to 10.1 per 1,000, marking a 101.6% increase over the previous month. This surge, while alarming, must be contextualised within the town's population of 23,713, where 240 total crimes were reported over 31 days—roughly 8 crimes per day. On a monthly basis, this translates to one reported crime for every 99 residents, a figure that, while higher than the previous month, remains a snapshot of the area's overall exposure. When compared to the UK average of 8.3 per 1,000, Shoreham-by-Sea's rate is elevated, but the disparity is not uniform across crime types. For example, the town's shoplifting rate of 2.7 per 1,000 is 350% above the UK average, whereas violent crime is 17% below the national rate. This divergence underscores the influence of local factors, such as the town's reliance on tourism and retail, which may drive certain types of crime more than others. The daily crime count of 8 per day, while seemingly high, is a reflection of the area's seasonal rhythm, with July being a peak period for both tourism and associated criminal activity. For residents, this means that the likelihood of encountering a crime in July is higher than in other months, but the specific nature of these crimes—primarily retail-related—may differ from the broader UK context. The data also reveals that while the overall crime rate has more than doubled compared to June, certain categories, such as other theft and other crime, have decreased, suggesting that some areas of crime management may be effective. This comparison highlights the need for targeted strategies that address the unique challenges of a coastal town during peak tourist season, balancing the demands of economic activity with public safety.