Shoreham-by-Sea Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In January 2024, Shoreham-by-Sea recorded a crime rate of 6.1 per 1,000 residents, placing it 17.6% below the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000. This figure, while lower than the national benchmark, reflects a nuanced crime profile shaped by the area’s character as a coastal town with a mix of residential and commercial zones. The top three crime types were shoplifting (25.5% of total incidents), violence and sexual offences (23.5%), and anti-social behaviour (20.7%). These patterns align with the area’s seasonal context: January, a post-holiday month, typically sees reduced retail footfall and shorter days, which may influence crime dynamics. However, the sharp rise in shoplifting—despite these conditions—suggests other factors, such as targeted retail activity or specific vulnerabilities in high-traffic areas. Violence and sexual offences, while lower than the UK average, remained a significant concern, possibly linked to the town’s nightlife and social hubs. Anti-social behaviour, which exceeds the UK average by 31%, may be tied to the built-up nature of the area and the proximity of community spaces. These trends illustrate the interplay between geography, demographics, and seasonal rhythms in shaping local crime patterns.

January 2024 saw dramatic increases in shoplifting, robbery, and burglary, with shoplifting surging by 184.6% to 37 incidents—181% above the UK average. This spike, despite post-holiday retail footfall typically declining, may partly reflect targeted activity in high-traffic areas. Robbery incidents tripled, reaching three cases, while burglary rose by 50% to three incidents. Conversely, vehicle crime fell by 55.6% to four cases, and public order offences dropped by 23.1% to 10. These shifts underscore a combination of seasonal dynamics and localized factors. For instance, the significant drop in drug-related crimes—75% fewer than December—could align with post-holiday reductions in illicit activity. Residents may find the 181% above UK average for shoplifting particularly noteworthy, suggesting a need for heightened awareness in retail zones.

Shoreham-by-Sea's crime rate in January 2024 rose by 15.1% compared to December 2023, moving from 5.3 to 6.1 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though modest, reflects a shift in crime patterns during the post-holiday period. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately five reported crimes per day in January, a figure that contextualises the rate within the rhythm of everyday life. Over the course of the month, one crime was reported for roughly every 164 residents, a monthly aggregate that highlights the relatively low frequency of incidents compared to the UK average. This statistic, when considered alongside the area’s population of 23,713, provides a tangible measure of risk for residents. The rise in crime rate contrasts with the previous month’s stability, suggesting seasonal or situational factors may have influenced activity levels from the data alone.