Barnham (Arun) Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominate Barnham (Arun)'s crime profile in January 2026, accounting for 22.5% of all reported crimes. This category, at 1.1 per 1,000 residents, is 56% below the UK average of 2.5 per 1,000, reflecting a marked contrast to national trends. Anti-social behaviour follows closely, contributing 20.0% of total crimes, while shoplifting—now the third most common offence—has surged to 15.0% of all crimes, up from negligible levels in previous months. The overall crime rate of 4.8 per 1,000 residents places Barnham 29.4% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000, a consistent trend for this built-up area within Arun. Seasonal factors likely play a role, as January's post-holiday period typically sees reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours, which may limit opportunities for certain crimes but not others. The area's relatively low crime rate suggests a combination of community cohesion, effective local policing, and the absence of high-risk demographics such as large student populations. However, the sharp rise in shoplifting raises questions about targeted retail theft patterns, potentially linked to the closure of holiday markets or shifts in local shopping habits. This data underscores the importance of contextualising crime statistics within both geographic and temporal frameworks, as Barnham's profile diverges from broader UK trends in notable ways.

January 2026 saw a 500% increase in shoplifting compared to December, rising from one reported incident to six. This surge, coupled with a 200% rise in criminal damage and arson and a 100% increase in other theft, highlights a significant shift in crime dynamics. While violent crime remains the dominant category, its rate of 1.1 per 1,000 is 56% below the UK average, consistent with Barnham's historically lower violent crime rates. Conversely, anti-social behaviour—though still below the UK average—rose to 1.0 per 1,000, 8% above the national figure of 0.9 per 1,000. The sharp increase in shoplifting may be linked to the post-holiday period, as reduced retail activity could have created opportunities for opportunistic theft. Residents may find the 1-in-207 monthly exposure figure useful for understanding local crime risk, though this remains far below the UK average. The marked disparity between Barnham's crime mix and national trends suggests that local factors—such as the area's compact built-up nature and limited nightlife—play a critical role in shaping crime patterns.

Barnham (Arun)'s crime rate in January 2026 (4.8 per 1,000) represents a 73.7% increase from the previous month's rate of 2.8 per 1,000, a notable shift in the area's crime profile. On a daily basis, the 40 reported crimes over 31 days equate to roughly one crime per day—a figure that, while locally relevant, does not directly compare to national averages as no UK-wide daily crime rate is provided. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 207 residents, a monthly exposure rate that, while reflecting the recent uptick in crime, remains significantly lower than the UK average. With a population of 8,276, Barnham's crime statistics suggest that while the area is not immune to crime fluctuations, its overall profile remains distinct from larger urban centres. The increase in shoplifting and other thefts, despite the area's low population density, may indicate targeted patterns rather than widespread criminal activity. This contrast with the UK average—where shoplifting rates are typically higher—highlights the importance of local context in interpreting crime data, as Barnham's built-up nature and limited retail density may influence both opportunities and perceptions of risk.