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

March 2024 presented an unexpected twist in Shoreham-by-Sea's crime profile, with shoplifting emerging as the most striking anomaly. At 1.7 per 1,000 residents, this category was 179% above the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000, far outpacing the 2.3 per 1,000 rate for violence and sexual offences (14% below the UK average). The town's overall crime rate of 7.1 per 1,000 remained 7.8% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000, a position consistent with its coastal character and relatively low population density. March's transition to spring brought longer evenings and the end of the winter period, factors that may have influenced patterns in both violent and property crimes. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 32% of all crimes, but the dominance of shoplifting (24.3%) suggests a shift in criminal activity that may be linked to the town's retail presence. Anti-social behaviour, at 0.9 per 1,000, was 22% below the UK average, a trend that aligns with the area's generally quiet residential character. The seasonal context of March—marked by the clocks changing and the gradual return of tourism—may have contributed to the unusual spikes in specific categories, though further analysis would be needed to confirm such connections. The balance between property and violent crimes also shifted in March, with property crimes (72) surpassing violent crimes (54) for the first time in several months, a development that may reflect broader local dynamics.

March 2024 saw three significant month-on-month increases: drugs-related crimes surged by 150% (from 2 to 5), public order offences rose by 120% (from 5 to 11), and burglary doubled from 0 to 5. These jumps highlight a shift in the crime mix, with property crimes (72) now outpacing violent crimes (54) for the first time in recent months. Shoplifting, which accounted for 24.3% of all crimes, remains 179% above the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000, a stark contrast to the 14% below average for violence and sexual offences (2.3 per 1,000). Residents may find the 120% increase in public order offences particularly concerning, as this category includes disturbances that directly impact daily life in the town's high-traffic areas. The surge in burglary, while small in absolute terms, is notable given the absence of such incidents in February.

Shoreham-by-Sea's crime rate in March 2024 rose sharply to 7.1 per 1,000 residents, marking a 51.1% increase from February's 4.7 per 1,000. This upward trend contrasts with the area's usual stability. below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. On a daily basis, the town recorded approximately five crimes per day in March, a figure that, while modest, reflects a noticeable acceleration in reporting. Monthly exposure calculations show that one crime occurred for every 140 residents over the course of the month, a ratio that underscores the frequency of incidents in a relatively small population. This statistic, when contextualised against the town's 23,713 residents, highlights the disproportionate impact of recent spikes in specific crime categories. While the overall rate is still below the national average, the month-on-month increase suggests a shift in local dynamics that may require closer monitoring.