Southwick (Adur) Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

October 2023 saw Southwick (Adur) maintain a crime rate of 5.6 per 1,000 residents, 30% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This places the area in the lower end of national crime statistics. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 40% of all crimes, followed by criminal damage and arson (14.3%) and other theft (11.4%). The seasonal context of October—darker evenings, the transition to British Summer Time, and Halloween—may partly explain fluctuations in crime types, particularly public order and anti-social behaviour. While the overall rate remains stable, the balance of crime categories reflects the area’s character as a mixed-use built-up zone with a relatively low population density. The drop in anti-social behaviour (61.5% decrease) and public order offences (58.3% decrease) contrasts with the sharp rise in vehicle crime, suggesting shifting patterns linked to seasonal travel or local events. The area’s crime profile continues to diverge from national trends, with shoplifting and burglary rates far below UK averages, consistent with its smaller scale and possibly lower retail density compared to larger urban centres.

Vehicle crime saw the most dramatic month-on-month increase, rising by 150% from 2 to 5 incidents in October. This surge, though still below the UK average of 0.5 per 1,000, may reflect seasonal factors such as increased car usage during darker evenings or localized events. Concurrently, anti-social behaviour fell by 61.5% (13 to 5), and public order offences dropped by 58.3% (12 to 5), possibly linked to the Halloween period and reduced foot traffic in certain areas. Violence and sexual offences remained the largest single category at 28 incidents (40% of total), though this rate (2.2 per 1,000) was 19% below the UK average. Criminal damage and arson, however, exceeded the UK average by 27%, a stark contrast to the area’s overall lower crime profile. Residents may find the 66% drop in shoplifting (from 4 to 2) particularly relevant, as it suggests ongoing effectiveness in retail security measures or reduced foot traffic during October. These shifts highlight the interplay between seasonal rhythms and local crime patterns, with some categories responding more acutely to environmental changes than others.

The crime rate in October 2023 (5.6 per 1,000) marked a 9% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 6.1 per 1,000, reflecting a continued downward trend. On a daily basis, Southwick (Adur) experienced approximately 2 crimes per day in October, a figure that translates to one reported crime for every 180 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate underscores the relatively low frequency of crime in the area compared to larger urban centres, where daily crime rates are often significantly higher. With a population of 12,617, the area’s small scale likely contributes to the lower absolute numbers of incidents, even as certain categories like criminal damage and arson exceed UK averages. The contrast between Southwick’s overall low crime rate and specific categories that deviate from national trends illustrates the importance of context in interpreting local statistics. For example, while anti-social behaviour dropped sharply, the UK average for this category is 1.3 per 1,000, highlighting how local conditions—such as community engagement or policing focus—can shape outcomes. These figures, when viewed alongside the area’s population size, provide a more nuanced understanding of safety compared to raw crime counts alone.