Southwick (Adur) Crime Rate September 2024 | Monthly Statistics

The crime profile of Southwick (Adur) in September 2024 reveals a distinct balance between violent and non-violent offences, shaped by seasonal and local factors. With a crime rate of 7.5 per 1,000 residents — 2.6% below the UK average — the area’s mix of crimes highlights a marked emphasis on interpersonal issues over property-related incidents. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 36.8% of all reported crimes, significantly above the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000. This suggests a concentration of incidents linked to social dynamics, potentially influenced by the return of students to local institutions during the university freshers’ period. Anti-social behaviour followed closely at 24.2% of total crimes, 54% above the UK average, indicating persistent challenges with public conduct that may be exacerbated by late-night activity in areas with high youth density. Property crimes such as shoplifting and vehicle crime were relatively low compared to national benchmarks, with shoplifting at 8.4% of total crimes — 12% below the UK average. This contrast may reflect the area’s compact, built-up nature, where commercial spaces are fewer and more closely monitored, reducing opportunities for such offences. Seasonal context further supports these patterns: as September marks the start of the academic year, increased foot traffic and social gatherings in residential and retail zones may contribute to the rise in violent and anti-social incidents. Conversely, the lower prevalence of property crime aligns with the area’s likely mix of low-density housing and limited commercial zones, which may limit the scale of theft opportunities. These dynamics illustrate a community where social interactions and local events play a more prominent role in shaping crime trends than economic or environmental factors.

September 2024 saw significant fluctuations in specific crime categories, with violence and sexual offences rising by 34.6% compared to August, driven by a jump from 26 to 35 incidents. This increase, coupled with anti-social behaviour rising 54% above the UK average, suggests heightened social tensions during the university freshers’ period. Other theft also saw a 60% month-on-month increase, from 5 to 8 cases, potentially linked to increased foot traffic in local areas. Conversely, burglary and criminal damage and arson both decreased by 40% and 28.6% respectively, which may reflect targeted policing efforts or seasonal shifts in criminal activity. The UK comparison reveals stark contrasts: while violence and sexual offences exceed the national average by 7%, shoplifting and vehicle crime are 12% and 56% below UK rates respectively, indicating that local factors — such as the area’s built-up nature and limited commercial zones — may deter certain types of property crime. For residents, the 36.8% share of violent crimes in total reports underscores the need for community-focused initiatives to address interpersonal conflicts. The 54% above UK average for anti-social behaviour also highlights the importance of monitoring public spaces during periods of heightened social activity.

The crime rate in Southwick (Adur) rose by 13.1% from 6.7 per 1,000 in August to 7.5 per 1,000 in September, reflecting a notable upward trend. This increase, though modest in absolute terms, translates to a monthly exposure of one reported crime for every 133 residents — a figure that may concern local authorities and residents alike. On a daily basis, the area experienced an average of three crimes per day, a rate that, while low compared to major urban centres, remains a tangible presence for a community of 12,617 people. This daily figure, when contextualised against the built-up nature of the area, suggests that while crime is not pervasive, it is concentrated in specific locations or times. The population-scaled perspective further illustrates the significance of these numbers: in a relatively small and tightly-knit community, even a single incident can have a disproportionate impact on perceived safety. The contrast between Southwick’s crime mix and the UK average — particularly the elevated rates of violence and anti-social behaviour — underscores the unique challenges faced by this area. While the UK average for shoplifting is 0.7 per 1,000, Southwick’s rate of 0.6 per 1,000 indicates that local factors such as retail presence or policing strategies may be influencing this category. These comparisons highlight the importance of tailoring local crime prevention efforts to the specific needs of Southwick, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach based on national statistics.