Barnham (Arun) Crime Rate August 2023 | Monthly Statistics

August 2023 marked an unexpected shift in Barnham (Arun)’s crime profile, with shoplifting plummeting by 83.3% to just one incident, the lowest recorded in this built-up area for the month. This stark contrast to the usual summer retail season—typically a high-risk period for theft—raises questions about local factors, such as enhanced store security or altered consumer behaviour. The overall crime rate of 5.2 per 1,000 residents placed Barnham 35.8% below the UK average of 8.1, a gap consistent with the area’s lower population density and potentially stronger community engagement initiatives. Violence and sexual offences remained the most prevalent category (32.6% of total crimes), though they were 36% below the UK average. Anti-social behaviour, however, surged to 25.6% of all incidents, a notable increase that may be linked to the influx of holiday visitors and the area’s proximity to popular coastal attractions. The seasonal context of August—peak holiday month, increased tourism, and empty homes—typically elevates burglary risks, yet Barnham’s burglary rate (0.5 per 1,000) was 47% above the UK average, suggesting vulnerabilities in property security that warrant further attention. This juxtaposition of declining retail theft and rising anti-social behaviour illustrates the combination of local demographics and seasonal activity, with implications for targeted policing and community outreach strategies.

August 2023 saw a dramatic 83.3% decrease in shoplifting, with incidents falling from six to one. This sharp decline contrasts with the usual summer retail activity, suggesting potential shifts in local shopping patterns or increased security measures. Conversely, anti-social behaviour rose by 83.3%, with incidents increasing from six to 11. This spike may reflect changes in community dynamics, such as increased social gatherings during the holiday season. Other notable drops included vehicle crime (75% decrease) and other theft (66.7% decrease), both of which fell below UK averages by 59% and 68%, respectively. While violent crime remained the most common category (32.6% of total crimes), it was 36% below the UK average. Burglary, however, was 47% above the UK average, highlighting a persistent challenge in this category. For residents, the significant reduction in shoplifting may indicate a positive trend in local retail security, even as other crime types show mixed movements.

Barnham (Arun) recorded a crime rate of 5.2 per 1,000 residents in August 2023, a 39.4% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 8.6 per 1,000. This represents a significant shift in the local crime profile, with daily crime counts averaging one incident per day over the 31-day period. When scaled to the area’s population of 8,276 residents, this means one reported crime occurred for roughly every 192 residents during the month. The reduction in overall crime is consistent with broader seasonal patterns, as August typically sees increased police presence and community activities in built-up areas like Barnham. However, the drop in crime is even more pronounced when compared to the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000, placing Barnham 35.8% below the national benchmark. This suggests that local factors—such as a strong community policing strategy or a lower density of commercial properties—may be contributing to the sustained safety record. The monthly exposure figure of 1 in 192 residents further reinforces the notion that crime remains relatively rare in this area, even during peak summer months.