Southwick (Adur) Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Southwick (Adur) maintains a crime rate of 4.8 per 1,000 residents in December 2023, placing it 33.3% below the UK average of 7.2 per 1,000. This disparity highlights a notable shift in the local crime profile, with property crimes (24 incidents) and violent crimes (17 incidents) forming the two most significant categories. Violence and sexual offences account for 27.9% of all crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour at 24.6%, and vehicle crime at 9.8%. The balance between property and violent crime suggests a combination of local dynamics, with property-related incidents slightly outnumbering violent crimes for the first time in recent months. This trend may reflect seasonal factors, such as the heightened retail activity during the Christmas shopping period, which could contribute to an uptick in property-related offences. However, the lower-than-average violent crime rate, particularly for violence and sexual offences (1.4 per 1,000, 47% below the UK average), indicates a relatively stable environment for personal safety. The data also shows that criminal damage and arson, at 0.2 per 1,000, is 64% below the UK average, linked to the area’s built-up character and limited vacant properties during the holiday season. These patterns underscore the importance of understanding how local geography and seasonal rhythms influence crime trends, even as Southwick remains a generally low-crime area compared to national benchmarks.

December 2023 saw significant fluctuations in crime categories, with anti-social behaviour surging by 114.3% (7 to 15 incidents) and other theft increasing by 150% (2 to 5 incidents). These jumps contrast sharply with declines in burglary (down 42.9%, 7 to 4) and criminal damage and arson (down 50%, 6 to 3). The property-to-violent crime ratio shifted slightly, with property crimes (24) now outpacing violent crimes (17) for the first time this year, a change that may reflect the impact of seasonal retail activity and holiday-related disruptions. Violent crime rates in Southwick remain well below the UK average, with violence and sexual offences at 1.4 per 1,000 (47% below the UK’s 2.6 per 1,000). This is particularly evident in anti-social behaviour, which, despite its sharp increase, still lags behind the UK average by 29% (1.2 vs 0.9 per 1,000). Residents may find the 18% below-average rate for shoplifting (0.4 vs 0.5 per 1,000) noteworthy, linked to heightened police presence or retail security measures during the festive season. These variations illustrate how specific local factors—such as community engagement, seasonal events, and targeted interventions—can influence crime patterns even within a broader low-crime context.

Southwick’s crime rate in December 2023 (4.8 per 1,000) represents a 17.2% increase from the previous month’s rate of 4.1 per 1,000, marking a modest upward trend. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly 2 crimes per day over the 31-day period, a figure that, while low, underscores the need for continued vigilance. When scaled to the local population of 12,617, this translates to one reported crime for every 207 residents over the course of the month—a monthly exposure rate that is significantly lower than the UK average. This statistic provides a tangible measure of risk for residents, illustrating that Southwick’s crime environment remains markedly safer than the national average. The population-scaled perspective also highlights the area’s relatively small size and the concentrated nature of its crime incidents, which may be influenced by its built-up character and proximity to Adur’s broader infrastructure. While the increase from November is notable, the overall rate remains 33.3% below the UK average, reinforcing the area’s position as a low-crime locality. These comparisons are critical for contextualising local trends, ensuring that residents and policymakers alike understand both the progress made and the areas requiring attention.