Barnham (Arun) Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In February 2024, Barnham (Arun) experienced a crime rate of 9.1 per 1,000 residents, placing it 28.2% above the UK average of 7.1. This discrepancy highlights a pronounced imbalance between property and violent crime, with property-related offences accounting for 52% of total crimes (39 out of 75) compared to 21% for violent crimes (16 out of 75). The most prevalent category was shoplifting, which occurred at a rate of 3.0 per 1,000 — 456% above the UK average. This stark contrast to the UK’s 0.5 per 1,000 suggests a unique local dynamic, potentially linked to the area’s retail presence or specific vulnerabilities in commercial spaces. Anti-social behaviour followed closely at 1.6 per 1,000, 52% above the UK average, indicating persistent challenges in community cohesion or enforcement in certain neighbourhoods. Seasonal context may also play a role: February, as a winter month with low outdoor activity, could contribute to reduced opportunities for outdoor crimes but may also see increased indoor offences or targeted retail theft during quieter periods. The overall rate, while elevated, remains within a range consistent with similar built-up areas in the South of England, where property crime often outpaces violent crime due to factors like foot traffic in commercial zones or transient populations.

February 2024 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with bicycle theft and drugs-related offences each surging by 200% month-on-month (from 1 to 3 incidents). This spike in bicycle theft may reflect seasonal changes, such as the return of cyclists after winter inactivity or increased thefts targeting parked bikes in public spaces. Conversely, criminal damage and arson fell by 50% (from 10 to 5), potentially linked to the pre-spring lull in outdoor activity or targeted interventions. The property-to-violent crime balance also shifted: while property crimes remained dominant, violent crime decreased by 23.8% (from 21 to 16), though this still lags behind the UK average for violence and sexual offences (which stood at 2.5 per 1,000). Shoplifting’s 456% gap above the UK average underscores a critical area for local focus, with 25 incidents (33.3% of total crimes) concentrated in retail spaces. Residents may find the 1.9 per 1,000 rate for violent crime — 24% below the UK average — a relative reassurance, though the 52% above UK average for anti-social behaviour (1.6 per 1,000) highlights persistent challenges in managing community tensions or enforcing public order.

Barnham’s crime rate in February 2024 (9.1 per 1,000) marked a 9.7% decrease from the previous month’s 10.0 per 1,000, reflecting a slight but measurable trend toward stability. On a daily basis, the area saw approximately 3 crimes reported each day, a figure that, while low in absolute terms, translates to a monthly exposure of 1 crime for every 110 residents. This monthly aggregate — 75 crimes across 8,276 residents — provides a tangible sense of the scale of incidents, though it does not account for variations in reporting or population density. The population-scaled perspective reveals that Barnham’s crime rate, while above the UK average, remains relatively moderate compared to major urban centres where rates often exceed 15 per 1,000. The 28.2% gap above the UK average is most evident in property crime categories, particularly shoplifting and anti-social behaviour, which may be influenced by the area’s built-up character and proximity to retail hubs. These figures suggest that while Barnham’s crime profile is not exceptionally high, targeted efforts to address property-related offences could yield significant improvements in aligning with national benchmarks.