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

In January 2026, Shoreham-by-Sea maintained a crime rate of 5.3 per 1,000 residents, placing it 22.1% below the UK average of 6.8. This lower-than-average rate translates to a daily risk of approximately four crimes per day, or one reported incident for every 188 residents over the course of the month. The area’s crime profile is shaped by its coastal character, with violence and sexual offences (32 cases) and shoplifting (31 cases) emerging as the most common categories. These patterns align with the area’s mix of residential and tourist activity, where retail hubs may drive shoplifting and the post-holiday period may influence violence. Anti-social behaviour (26 cases) also featured prominently, a category that often reflects local community dynamics. Seasonal factors played a role, as January’s shorter days and reduced retail footfall typically lower outdoor crime rates. However, the spike in burglary and bicycle theft—both rising by 300% and 100% respectively compared to December—suggests a possible shift in criminal activity linked to post-holiday home vacancies or increased bike usage during colder months. While the overall rate remains below the UK average, the localised nature of certain crime types highlights the importance of contextual analysis. For instance, shoplifting’s 128% above the UK average may be attributed to the area’s coastal retail presence, while violence and sexual offences’ 44% below the national rate could reflect the town’s relatively smaller population and community cohesion. These figures, when viewed through the lens of Shoreham-by-Sea’s geography and demographics, illustrate how broader trends intersect with local conditions to shape crime outcomes.

January 2026 saw significant spikes in specific crime categories, with burglary, possession of weapons, and bicycle theft each increasing by 300%, 100%, and 100% respectively compared to December 2025. These jumps, though small in absolute numbers, may partly explain the month-on-month rise in the overall rate. Shoplifting, the second most common crime, occurred at a rate 128% above the UK average—far exceeding the national figure of 0.6 per 1,000. This anomaly may be linked to the area’s coastal retail presence, which could attract opportunistic theft during the post-holiday lull. Conversely, drugs-related crimes dropped by 25%, a decline that might reflect seasonal patterns or reduced foot traffic in local venues. Violence and sexual offences, though still the most frequent category (25.4% of total crimes), fell by 11.1% from December, due to shorter daylight hours curbing outdoor activity. These shifts illustrate how local dynamics—such as tourism cycles and retail rhythms—can influence crime trends in ways distinct from the UK average.

Shoreham-by-Sea’s crime rate in January 2026 rose 22.4% compared to the previous month, moving from 4.3 to 5.3 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though modest, reflects a shift in crime patterns typical of post-holiday periods. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately four reported crimes per day—a figure that, while locally relevant, offers a tangible sense of the pace at which incidents occur. Over the course of the month, one crime was reported for roughly every 188 residents, a monthly exposure rate that, when contextualised against the area’s population of 23,713, highlights the relatively low frequency of incidents per individual. This statistic is particularly meaningful for residents, as it underscores that the likelihood of encountering crime in daily life remains comparatively low. The population context further reinforces that even with the month-on-month increase, the area remains below the UK average, suggesting that broader socio-economic or geographic factors may contribute to its overall crime profile.