Shoreham-by-Sea Crime Rate April 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Shoreham-by-Sea’s crime rate in April 2025 stood at 5.0 per 1,000 residents, placing it 35.1% below the UK average of 7.7. This figure reflects a long-term pattern of lower-than-national crime levels, a trend likely influenced by the area’s coastal character and relatively compact built-up environment. The top crime categories included violence and sexual offences (41 incidents, 34.8% of total), anti-social behaviour (23 incidents, 19.5%), and criminal damage and arson (18 incidents, 15.3%). These categories reveal a mix of concerns, from interpersonal crime to public order issues, with the latter showing a notable increase. The area’s proximity to the coast and its role as a commuter town may contribute to the low overall rate, as rural isolation and urban density often correlate with different crime profiles. Seasonal factors in April, such as the Easter period and increased outdoor activity, appear to have influenced specific trends, including the sharp drop in shoplifting and the rise in criminal damage. Violence and sexual offences remained significantly below the UK average, a reflection of the area’s community-focused policing and the demographic makeup of the population. The relatively low rate of property crimes, such as burglary and vehicle crime, further supports the notion that Shoreham’s built-up, semi-rural setting fosters a safer environment compared to larger urban centres. These patterns are consistent with historical data, suggesting that the area’s geographic and social characteristics are key drivers of its crime profile. For residents and local authorities, the data reinforces the importance of maintaining existing strategies that have contributed to the sustained safety, while also addressing the emerging challenges, such as the rise in anti-social behaviour, which may require targeted interventions.

April 2025 marked a significant reduction in shoplifting, with incidents falling by 65.5% compared to March, from 29 to 10. This sharp decline may be attributed to heightened security measures during the Easter period or reduced foot traffic in retail areas, a trend common in coastal towns during spring holidays. Conversely, criminal damage and arson increased by 63.6%, rising from 11 to 18 incidents—a shift that could be linked to increased outdoor activity during the warmer spring weather, particularly in the town’s public spaces. Violence and sexual offences remained lower than the UK average, at 1.7 per 1,000, a figure that contrasts with the national rate of 2.6. Anti-social behaviour also saw a 43.8% increase, rising from 16 to 23 cases, tied to seasonal events such as Easter parades or local festivals. These fluctuations highlight how local conditions, including the timing of holidays and the layout of the built-up area, can influence crime patterns. For residents, the drop in shoplifting offers a tangible benefit, while the rise in criminal damage underscores the need for continued vigilance in public areas.

April 2025 saw a continuation of Shoreham-by-Sea’s historically low crime rate, which fell by 18.0% from March’s 6.1 to 5.0 per 1,000 residents. This decline, placing the area 35.1% below the UK average of 7.7, underscores a persistent trend of safety that has defined the built-up coastal town for years. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately four crimes per day, a figure that reflects the relatively low overall rate and the compact nature of the population. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for roughly every 201 residents, a statistic that highlights the rarity of incidents in a community where local policing and public awareness appear to play a significant role. When contextualised against the population of 23,713, the monthly exposure rate illustrates that the majority of residents experience no crime at all, a pattern consistent with Shoreham’s character as a smaller, community-focused area. The built-up coastal environment, with its limited urban sprawl and strong sense of neighbourhood cohesion, may partly explain the sustained safety. These figures, while modest, provide a clear benchmark for understanding how Shoreham’s crime profile diverges from the broader UK context, where higher population density and urban complexity often correlate with elevated rates.