Southwick (Adur) Crime Rate November 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences remain the dominant category in Southwick's November 2024 crime profile, accounting for 25.6% of all reported crimes. This category, at 1.7 per 1,000 residents, is 34% below the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000, suggesting a relatively safer environment for residents compared to the national picture. The area's overall crime rate of 6.8 per 1,000 residents places it 10.5% below the UK average of 7.6 per 1,000, reflecting a generally lower incidence of crime. However, this picture is nuanced by the sharp contrast in specific categories: shoplifting, at 1.3 per 1,000, is 88% above the UK average of 0.7 per 1,000. This anomaly may be explained by Southwick's built-up character and the presence of retail hubs that attract both residents and visitors. The month's seasonal context—marked by Bonfire Night, Black Friday shopping, and the onset of darker evenings—likely contributes to the spike in shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. While the overall rate remains below the UK average, the dominance of property-related crimes (62% of total) highlights the need for targeted measures in retail and public spaces. The relatively low rate of violent crime, despite the area's urban characteristics, may be influenced by local initiatives or community dynamics. As November transitions into December, the continued monitoring of these trends will be essential to understanding the interplay between seasonal factors and local crime patterns.

November 2024 saw a 120% increase in other theft, a 100% rise in theft from the person, and a 100% surge in drug-related offences compared to October. These spikes, though small in absolute numbers, may indicate seasonal or situational factors. Conversely, bicycle theft fell by 50% and criminal damage decreased by 33.3%, possibly linked to the onset of colder weather and reduced outdoor activity. The crime mix reveals a stark contrast to the UK average: shoplifting rates were 88% higher, while violence and sexual offences were 34% lower. This divergence underscores Southwick's unique profile, where retail crime dominates but violent crime remains comparatively low. For residents, the 88% above-average shoplifting rate is a concrete data point that may inform local retail security measures.

Southwick's crime rate in November 2024 (6.8 per 1,000 residents) marks a 22.9% increase compared to the previous month's rate of 5.6 per 1,000. This rise, though modest, suggests a shift in local patterns during a month typically marked by seasonal transitions. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 3 crimes per day, a figure that translates to one reported crime for every 147 residents over the course of the month. While this monthly exposure remains below the UK average (7.6 per 1,000), the increase from October raises questions about emerging trends. The population-scaled perspective reveals that Southwick's crime profile, though generally lower than the UK average, shows volatility in specific categories. For instance, the sharp rise in other theft and the sharp drop in bicycle theft may reflect shifting patterns tied to local events or weather. Residents may find the monthly exposure figure useful for contextualising risks, though this is an aggregate measure and not a predictor of individual risk.