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

March 2023 saw Shoreham-by-Sea’s crime rate reach 7.8 per 1,000 residents, placing it 2.6% above the UK average. The most unexpected finding was the surge in shoplifting, which accounted for 40% of all crimes and was 533% higher than the UK average. This anomaly likely stems from the town’s coastal retail infrastructure and the seasonal shift in visitor numbers during the transition to spring. The area’s retail centres, which are a significant economic driver, may have experienced increased foot traffic as the clocks changed and evenings lengthened, creating opportunities for opportunistic theft. Meanwhile, violent crimes, at 1.9 per 1,000, were 31% below the UK average, a trend that may be attributed to the town’s relatively low population density and the absence of major nightlife venues. Public order offences, however, were 25% above the UK average, linked to the impact of seasonal events or the increased presence of tourists in the area. The data also reveals a marked disparity in crime types, with property crimes (106) far outpacing violent crimes (44), underscoring the importance of retail and commercial areas in shaping the local crime profile. The seasonal context of March, with its transition from winter to spring, may have influenced both the frequency and nature of incidents, as residents and visitors alike adjusted to longer evenings and changing weather patterns. This combination of factors—seasonal shifts, retail activity, and local demographics—provides a nuanced picture of crime in Shoreham-by-Sea, one that aligns with the broader UK trend of property crimes dominating over violent offences.

The most striking anomaly in March 2023 was the shoplifting rate of 3.1 per 1,000, which was 533% higher than the UK average of 0.5 per 1,000. This figure, representing 40% of all crimes in the area, suggests that retail outlets may be particularly vulnerable during the transition to spring, when foot traffic increases and evenings lengthen. Conversely, violent crimes were 31% below the UK average, with 1.9 per 1,000 compared to the national rate of 2.7 per 1,000. This discrepancy may be influenced by the town’s relatively low population density and the absence of major nightlife hubs. Public order offences, at 0.8 per 1,000, were 25% above the UK average, reflecting the impact of seasonal events or changes in public behaviour as daylight hours increase. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour and other thefts were significantly below the UK average, indicating that the area’s community-focused policing strategies may be effective in curbing such incidents. These variations highlight the combination of local demographics, geography, and seasonal factors in shaping crime patterns.

Shoreham-by-Sea’s March 2023 crime rate of 7.8 per 1,000 residents places it 2.6% above the UK average, a marginal difference that may reflect local factors rather than systemic trends. Locally, the daily crime count averaged 6 crimes per day over the month, a figure that offers insight into the pace of incidents in a coastal town with a mix of residential and commercial areas. On a monthly scale, one reported crime occurred for every 128 residents, a ratio that contextualises the frequency of incidents within the community. This figure, while slightly higher than some surrounding areas, remains within the expected range for a built-up area with a population of 23,713. The breakdown of crime types reveals a stark contrast between property crimes (106) and violent crimes (44), with shoplifting dominating the property crime category. This disparity may be linked to the town’s retail presence and tourist activity, which are amplified in March as the clocks change and evenings lengthen. While the overall rate is marginally above the UK average, the distribution of crime types suggests that local characteristics, such as the proximity to major transport routes and the seasonal shift in visitor numbers, play a role in shaping the crime profile.