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

Violence and sexual offences dominate Shoreham-by-Sea's crime picture in August 2025, accounting for nearly 30% of all reported crimes. The area's overall crime rate of 5.8 per 1,000 residents places it 28.4% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000, a disparity that reflects the town's unique character as a coastal resort with a mix of residential and commercial zones. Anti-social behaviour and shoplifting follow as the second and third most common categories, respectively, illustrating the tension between community life and transient visitor activity. The seasonal context of August—peak holiday month—likely contributes to shifts in crime patterns, with increased foot traffic in retail areas potentially driving shoplifting incidents while also creating opportunities for anti-social behaviour in public spaces. This coastal town's proximity to the sea and its role as a tourist destination may explain the relatively lower rates of burglary compared to UK averages, as empty homes during the summer months could paradoxically reduce opportunities for residential crime. However, the rise in criminal damage and arson—up 100% from July—suggests a need to examine how seasonal changes in land use or community events might influence property-related offences.

August 2025 saw a significant 100% increase in criminal damage and arson, with incidents rising from six to twelve—a sharp contrast to the 83.3% drop in burglary, which fell from six to one. This divergence may reflect the dual impact of seasonal dynamics: while vacant homes during the summer months could reduce burglary risks, the same period may see increased vandalism linked to transient populations or events. Shoplifting, another key category, declined by 51.2% compared to July, a reduction that aligns with the lower retail footfall typical of a coastal town during the height of the tourist season. However, shoplifting rates in Shoreham-by-Sea remain 43% above the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000, suggesting that local retail environments—concentrated in specific high-street areas—still present vulnerabilities. Violence and sexual offences, at 1.7 per 1,000, are 41% below the UK average for this category, a figure that may be influenced by the town's smaller population and community-focused policing strategies. The absence of reported robberies in July, followed by one incident in August, highlights the sporadic nature of such crimes in this area, where low population density and strong local networks may deter more severe offences.

Shoreham-by-Sea's crime rate in August 2025 fell to 5.8 per 1,000 residents, a 28.5% decline from the previous month's rate of 8.1 per 1,000. This reduction places the area well below the UK average, with a daily crime count of approximately four incidents—roughly one crime for every 172 residents over the course of the month. While this monthly exposure figure may seem high for a small town, it is important to contextualise it within Shoreham's population of 23,713, where the density of commercial and residential areas creates a concentrated environment for certain types of crime. The contrast between Shoreham's rates and the UK average is particularly stark in categories like burglary, where the town's rate is 100% below the national figure. This disparity may stem from the town's coastal geography, which limits the number of homes available for residential crime during the summer months when many properties are unoccupied. However, the localised rise in criminal damage and arson suggests that specific areas—those with temporary structures or event spaces—may be more vulnerable to targeted offences. These patterns underscore the importance of tailoring crime prevention strategies to the unique spatial and demographic characteristics of Shoreham-by-Sea.