Southwick (Adur) Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 12,617 residents, Southwick (Adur) recorded 104 crimes in May 2024, translating to a crime rate of 8.2 per 1,000 people. This figure places the area 2.4% below the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000, a margin that suggests a relatively stable security environment compared to national trends. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 33.7% of all reported incidents (35 cases), followed by other theft (15 cases, 14.4%) and criminal damage and arson (15 cases, 14.4%). These figures align with the seasonal context of May, a month marked by extended evenings and increased outdoor socialising, which may contribute to higher rates of violence and public disorder. The area's crime profile reflects a mix of urban and suburban characteristics, where retail and residential zones intersect, potentially influencing the distribution of property and violent crimes. While the overall rate remains close to the UK average, specific categories such as other theft and criminal damage show marked deviations, warranting closer examination of local factors like community engagement or environmental design. The relatively low rate of anti-social behaviour (9.6% of total crimes) contrasts with the UK average, suggesting either effective local policing or community initiatives that mitigate such incidents. This data provides a snapshot of crime dynamics in a built-up area of Adur, where the interplay between population density, local amenities, and seasonal activity shapes the crime profile.

May 2024 saw significant fluctuations in specific crime categories, with criminal damage and arson surging by 200% (from 5 to 15 cases) and other theft increasing by 150% (from 6 to 15 cases). These jumps, alongside an 118.8% rise in violence and sexual offences (from 16 to 35 cases), suggest a shift in criminal activity patterns during the month. Other theft and criminal damage both exceeded UK averages by over 100%, with other theft being 107% above the national rate (0.6 per 1,000) and criminal damage 94% above (0.6 per 1,000). Conversely, anti-social behaviour dropped by 41.2% (from 17 to 10 cases), and burglary fell by 28.6% (from 7 to 5 cases), though burglary still remained 29% above the UK average. The violence and sexual offences category, while 1% below the UK average, showed a stark increase from the previous month, potentially linked to the longer evenings and increased social activity typical of May. Residents may find the 35 cases of violence and sexual offences particularly noteworthy, as this category now constitutes nearly a third of all reported crimes. These trends highlight the need for targeted interventions in high-risk areas, particularly those associated with property damage and theft, while the decline in anti-social behaviour may reflect the impact of local enforcement or community engagement efforts.

The crime rate in Southwick (Adur) for May 2024 rose to 8.2 per 1,000 residents, a 48.5% increase from the previous month's rate of 5.6 per 1,000. This upward shift, though modest compared to national trends, underscores the variability of crime rates within a single area over time. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 3 crimes per day in May, a figure that provides a tangible sense of frequency for local residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 121 residents, a monthly exposure rate that contextualises the scale of crime relative to the population. Given the area's built-up nature, this rate is influenced by the density of housing and public spaces, which can both facilitate and deter criminal activity depending on local conditions. The population context is critical here: with 12,617 residents, even a small absolute number of crimes can represent a significant proportion of the community. For example, the 35 cases of violence and sexual offences in May would equate to roughly 0.28% of the population being directly involved in such incidents, a figure that may prompt questions about the effectiveness of local safety measures. While the overall rate remains close to the UK average, the specific patterns of increase and decrease in certain categories highlight the importance of granular analysis for informed policymaking and community engagement.