Shoreham-by-Sea Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 23,713, the 120 crimes recorded in February 2026 equate to 5.1 crimes per 1,000 residents — 20.3% below the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000. This rate reflects a relatively low-crime environment compared to the national average, though specific patterns emerge when examining the breakdown. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 27.5% of all crimes (33 incidents), followed by shoplifting (23.3%, 28 incidents) and anti-social behaviour (21.7%, 26 incidents). These figures contrast with the UK averages for these categories, where violence is 40% below the national rate but shoplifting is 107% above. The seasonal context of February — a winter month with reduced outdoor activity — may partly explain the relatively low overall rate, though shoplifting in retail areas remains a persistent concern. The area's coastal location and compact built-up nature likely contribute to the mix of crime types, with local amenities and community dynamics shaping the profile. While property crimes (52 incidents) slightly outpace violent crimes (33), the significant disparity in shoplifting rates highlights a need for targeted interventions in commercial zones.

February 2026 saw sharp increases in vehicle crime (+100%, from 0 to 3 incidents) and theft from the person (+100%, from 0 to 1 incident), marking a notable shift in crime dynamics. These rises, though small in absolute terms, suggest emerging vulnerabilities in vehicle security or public spaces. Conversely, other crime fell by 80% (from 5 to 1 incident), and burglary dropped by 50% (from 4 to 2), possibly reflecting seasonal lulls in property crime during winter. The shoplifting rate (1.2 per 1,000) was 107% above the UK average (0.6 per 1,000), a stark outlier that may be linked to the area's retail presence along the seafront. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour (1.1 per 1,000) was 21% above the UK average (0.9 per 1,000), indicating challenges in managing community spaces during colder months. For residents, the 28% share of violent crimes in the total count (33 of 120) may raise concerns, though the rate (1.4 per 1,000) remains 40% below the UK average (2.3 per 1,000), suggesting effective local policing in this category.

The crime rate for February 2026 (5.1 per 1,000) represents a 4.7% decline from the previous month's rate of 5.3 per 1,000, reflecting a slight downward trend. On a daily basis, the area experienced an average of 4 crimes per day over the 28-day period — a figure that, while modest, underscores the ongoing need for vigilance. When scaled to the local population, the monthly exposure rate of 1 reported crime for every 198 residents provides context for residents: over the course of the month, the likelihood of being directly affected by crime was roughly 0.5%. This monthly aggregate is particularly meaningful in a built-up coastal area where community density and proximity to tourist attractions may influence crime perception. The rate remains lower than the UK average, which may be attributed to Shoreham-by-Sea's relatively small size and focused policing efforts. However, the stark divergence in specific categories — such as shoplifting and anti-social behaviour — highlights the importance of localized analysis rather than relying on national averages alone.