Southwick (Adur) Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

December 2025 in Southwick (Adur) presented a crime profile heavily skewed towards violent incidents, with 43 cases of violence and sexual offences—accounting for over half of all reported crimes—compared to just 16 property crimes. This imbalance, while not unprecedented, underscores a seasonal dynamic influenced by the holiday period, where extended dark evenings and increased social gatherings may contribute to higher rates of interpersonal conflict. The overall crime rate of 6.3 per 1,000 residents placed the area 10% below the UK average, a margin that suggests local factors such as community engagement, policing strategies, or demographic characteristics may play a role. The dominance of violent crimes over property crimes diverges from patterns observed in more rural or suburban areas, where theft and burglary often take precedence. This trend may be linked to Southwick’s built-up nature, with its proximity to urban centres and potential for nightlife activity, which can drive incidents of assault and disorder. Additionally, the area’s anti-social behaviour rate (0.7 per 1,000) was 25% below the UK average, indicating a lower prevalence of disruptive conduct despite the higher violent crime rate. Seasonal context further complicates the picture: while Christmas shopping and festive events may boost foot traffic, they may also coincide with higher alcohol consumption and social friction, factors that could exacerbate violent incidents. The data also reveals a mixed picture for specific categories, with drug-related crimes far exceeding the UK average by 48%, while shoplifting and vehicle crime were both significantly below national levels. This disparity highlights the complexity of crime patterns in built-up areas, where multiple socioeconomic and environmental factors intersect to shape local trends.

December 2025 saw a stark contrast in crime trends, with violent crimes accounting for 54.4% of all reported incidents—significantly higher than property crimes, which made up just 20.3%. This imbalance, particularly in violence and sexual offences (43 cases), suggests a seasonal surge linked to holiday-related tensions or increased social interactions during the festive period. Among the most notable changes, drug-related crimes surged by 400%, rising from 1 to 5 incidents—a sharp increase that may reflect heightened enforcement or shifts in local drug activity. Conversely, shoplifting fell by 75%, from 8 to 2 cases, potentially due to stricter retail security measures or reduced foot traffic during the Christmas holidays. The area’s violent crime rate also exceeded the UK average by 32%, a figure that, while not uncommon in built-up areas, warrants attention given the broader context of national crime trends.

Southwick (Adur) recorded 79 crimes in December 2025, marking a 25.5% increase from the previous month’s rate of 5.0 per 1,000 residents. This rise, though modest in absolute terms, translates to approximately 3 crimes reported daily—a figure that, while low, reflects heightened activity during the holiday season. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 160 residents, a metric that contextualises the frequency of incidents within the local population. With a total population of 12,617, the area’s crime rate remains 10% below the UK average, suggesting a combination of effective local policing and community factors that may mitigate broader national trends. The shift from November to December also aligns with seasonal patterns, where increased foot traffic during Christmas shopping and extended dark evenings may contribute to a temporary uptick in crime reporting. These dynamics highlight the interplay between local conditions and national averages, offering a nuanced view of Southwick’s crime profile.