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

Shoreham-by-Sea’s crime rate in May 2023 stood at 8.8 per 1,000 residents, placing the area 10% above the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This divergence from the national picture highlights the area’s distinct challenges. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 38.8% of all crimes, with 81 incidents reported—a rate of 3.4 per 1,000, 22% above the UK average. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, contributing 19.1% of the total with 40 incidents, a 28% gap above the national rate. These figures may reflect the town’s coastal character, where late-night socialising and seasonal tourism contribute to higher incidents of disorder. Shoplifting, at 1.0 per 1,000, was 104% above the UK average, likely driven by the area’s retail hubs and tourist footfall. The seasonal context of May—marked by longer evenings, bank holidays, and increased outdoor activity—may have amplified these trends. While violent crime remained a significant concern, property crimes such as burglary and vehicle crime were below UK averages, due to the area’s smaller scale and focused community policing. This mix of above-average violent crime and below-average property crime suggests a combination of local dynamics and national trends, requiring tailored approaches to address the specific needs of this coastal town.

May 2023 saw a dramatic 166.7% increase in anti-social behaviour, with incidents rising from 15 to 40. This surge, which outpaced all other crime categories, may partly explain the area’s 10% elevation above the UK average. Shoplifting remained high at 1.0 per 1,000, 104% above the UK rate of 0.5 per 1,000, likely linked to the town’s retail presence. Meanwhile, vehicle crime fell by 60% (from 5 to 2), and robbery dropped by two-thirds (from 3 to 1), suggesting possible success in targeted policing efforts. The sharp rise in anti-social behaviour could signal increased public drinking in the evenings, a pattern consistent with May’s longer daylight hours and bank holidays. Residents may find the 104% disparity in shoplifting rates particularly concerning, given the area’s reliance on tourism and retail.

Shoreham-by-Sea’s crime rate in May 2023 rose to 8.8 per 1,000 residents, a 37.4% increase from April’s 6.4 per 1,000. This places the area 10% above the UK average, a gap that widened significantly over the past month. Daily crime figures reveal an average of 7 crimes reported each day in May, underscoring a persistent presence of criminal activity. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 113 residents, a monthly exposure rate that highlights the frequency of incidents in a community of 23,713. While this figure is local-specific, it offers a tangible sense of how crime permeates daily life. The population context further illustrates that even relatively low crime rates can translate to measurable impacts when scaled across the area’s size. This contrast with the previous month’s figures suggests a shift in crime dynamics that warrants closer examination of local factors, such as seasonal activity or community events.