Southwick (Adur) Crime Rate August 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Southwick (Adur) continues to outperform the UK average in overall crime rates, with a recorded rate of 6.7 crimes per 1,000 residents in August 2024—18.3% below the national figure of 8.2. This performance aligns with the area’s character as a relatively low-density built-up area within Adur, where community engagement and local policing initiatives likely contribute to sustained lower rates. The most prevalent crime types were violence and sexual offences (31% of total), anti-social behaviour (22.6%), and shoplifting (9.5%). These patterns are consistent with seasonal factors: August, a peak holiday month, sees increased tourism and empty homes, which may elevate burglary risks. However, Southwick’s crime profile suggests robust local deterrents, with violent crime rates 22% below the UK average. Anti-social behaviour, while still significant, remains slightly below national levels, indicating effective community management. Shoplifting rates are also 15% below the UK average, potentially reflecting the area’s retail environment and targeted policing efforts. The balance between property and violent crime—39% property, 61% violent—contrasts with many urban centres, where property crime dominates. This mix may reflect Southwick’s mixed land use, combining residential areas with commercial hubs. Seasonal context further suggests that while August’s tourism may drive some crime types, the area’s infrastructure and community networks appear to mitigate broader spikes. The absence of extreme outliers in the crime breakdown, such as drug-related offences or vehicle crime, reinforces the stability of Southwick’s crime picture relative to other regions.

August 2024 saw stark shifts in crime trends, with burglary rates surging by 400% compared to July, rising from 1 to 5 incidents. This spike aligns with seasonal patterns, as August’s peak holiday period leaves more properties unoccupied, potentially increasing burglary opportunities. Conversely, public order offences dropped by 55.6%, from 9 to 4, suggesting a reduction in alcohol-related incidents or improved policing during summer evenings. Violence and sexual offences also fell by 29.7%, declining from 37 to 26, though this remains the most common crime category in the area. Southwick’s anti-social behaviour rate—1.5 per 1,000—was 4% above the UK average of 1.4, a small but significant deviation that may reflect local social dynamics or reporting practices. Meanwhile, shoplifting rates were 15% below the UK average, due to the area’s retail layout or effective anti-theft measures. The dramatic 100% increase in possession of weapons offences—from 1 to 2—demands closer scrutiny, though the small numbers mean this could be an anomaly. For residents, the 400% rise in burglary is a critical data point, underscoring the need for vigilance during August’s holiday season.

August 2024’s crime rate of 6.7 per 1,000 residents marked an 8.6% decrease from July’s 7.3, reflecting a downward trend in local crime. This monthly decline contrasts with the UK’s broader patterns, where seasonal fluctuations often show less pronounced variation. On a daily basis, Southwick recorded roughly 3 crimes per day in August, a figure that, while low, highlights the area’s consistent need for vigilance. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 150 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is lower than many comparable urban centres. This statistic, when contextualised with Southwick’s population of 12,617, illustrates a crime profile where individual risk remains relatively low. The comparison to the UK average also reveals structural differences: while violent crime dominates Southwick’s crime mix (61% of total), the UK’s violent crime share is lower, reflecting broader regional variations. Southwick’s property crime rate—30 incidents—was 39% of total crimes, a proportion that contrasts with the UK’s higher emphasis on property crime in densely populated areas. This balance may reflect the area’s suburban character, where community policing and lower population density contribute to lower property crime rates. The 8.6% monthly decrease, combined with the 18.3% year-on-year gap from the UK average, underscores Southwick’s unique position as a relatively safe built-up area within Adur.