Barnham (Arun) Crime Rate May 2023 | Monthly Statistics

May 2023 in Barnham (Arun) presented a mixed picture of crime trends, with certain categories showing marked increases while others declined. The overall crime rate of 5.9 per 1,000 residents placed the area 26.2% below the UK average, a position reinforced by lower-than-average rates in violent crime (2.2 per 1,000, 21% below UK) and anti-social behaviour (0.7 per 1,000, 47% below UK). However, the sharp rise in criminal damage and arson (+200% month-on-month) and the doubling of 'other crime' incidents to 2 cases raised concerns. These increases may be linked to seasonal factors such as longer evenings and the start of the bank holiday season, which can lead to more outdoor socialising and alcohol consumption. The breakdown of crimes also highlighted the dominance of violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 36.7% of all incidents, a figure that, while lower than the UK average for this category, still represents a significant portion of the local crime profile. Public order offences, at 1.1 per 1,000, stood out as 67% above the UK average, suggesting that areas with higher foot traffic or community events may be experiencing heightened tensions. The relatively low levels of burglary (0.1 per 1,000) and other theft (0.2 per 1,000) indicate that property crime remains a minor concern compared to violent and disorder-related incidents. This pattern is consistent with Barnham’s likely character as a semi-rural built-up area, where community-focused policing and lower population density may contribute to the lower property crime rates, though not enough to prevent spikes in other categories during periods of increased social activity.

May 2023 saw a 200% increase in criminal damage and arson incidents, rising from 2 to 6 cases. This surge, while not uncommon during spring months, contrasts with a 50% decline in burglary, which dropped from 2 to 1 incident. The category of 'other crime' also doubled from 0 to 2, highlighting a shift in the crime mix. Violent crimes fell by 21.7% from 23 to 18.7% of all reported crimes. Public order offences stood out as 67% above the UK average, a statistic that may reflect increased socialising during longer evenings. The area’s violent crime rate (2.2 per 1,000) was 21% below the UK average for this category, illustrating a complex balance between localised spikes and broader safety trends. Residents should be particularly vigilant in areas where outdoor drinking and socialising have increased, as these are consistent with the seasonal context of May.

Barnham (Arun) saw an 11.3% increase in its crime rate from 5.3 to 5.9 per 1,000 residents in May 2023 compared to April. While this rise is notable, the area remains 26.2% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 2 crimes per day in May, a figure that, while low, reflects a consistent pattern of sporadic incidents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 169 residents, a monthly exposure rate that places Barnham among the safer areas in the UK. The population-scaled perspective shows that even with the month-on-month increase, the overall crime burden on residents remains relatively light compared to national trends. This is particularly evident in categories like burglary, which fell by 50% from 2 to 1 incident, and anti-social behaviour, which remained 47% below the UK average. These figures suggest that while localized factors may have contributed to the rise in certain crime types, the area’s overall safety profile remains strong relative to the UK context.