Bognor Regis Crime Rate November 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Bognor Regis, a coastal town in the UK, recorded a crime rate of 6.7 per 1,000 residents in November 2023, placing it 10.7% below the UK average of 7.5. This relatively low rate contrasts with the UK-wide context, where the town’s crime profile is shaped by its unique characteristics as a seaside resort and commuter hub. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 41.7% of all reported incidents. This category was 8% above the UK average, reflecting the impact of nightlife and social interactions in the area. Criminal damage and arson followed closely, contributing 16.7% of total crimes and 86% above the UK average, a figure that may be influenced by the timing of Bonfire Night and the associated increase in fire-related incidents. Anti-social behaviour, while down 33% compared to the UK average, remained a notable concern, with 10.2% of all crimes falling into this category. The seasonal context of November—marked by darker evenings, Black Friday shopping, and Bonfire Night—likely plays a role in shaping these trends. For instance, the spike in criminal damage and arson may be linked to the increased use of fireworks and the associated risks of accidental or deliberate fires. Meanwhile, the relatively low rate of vehicle crime and shoplifting compared to the UK average suggests that local efforts to secure retail areas and parking spaces may be effective. However, the sharp increase in theft from the person, though small in scale, raises questions about the effectiveness of current policing strategies in deterring opportunistic crimes. The overall picture indicates a town that, while generally safer than the UK average, requires targeted interventions to address specific vulnerabilities, particularly in the areas of public order and property crime.

The most striking movement in November 2023 was the 100% increase in theft from the person, which rose from one incident to two. This sharp rise, though small in absolute terms, underscores a potential shift in criminal activity patterns, possibly linked to seasonal factors such as the shorter daylight hours increasing opportunities for opportunistic theft. Concurrently, drug-related offences surged by 88.9%, jumping from nine to 17 cases—a significant increase that may reflect broader trends in substance use or distribution. In contrast, public order offences dropped by 45.1%, from 51 to 28, suggesting a possible reduction in disorderly conduct. Anti-social behaviour fell by 25%, from 64 to 48, which may indicate the effectiveness of local interventions or seasonal changes in community activity. Meanwhile, criminal damage and arson saw a 54.9% increase, rising from 51 to 79, placing this category 86% above the UK average. This spike, linked to Bonfire Night events, highlights the need for targeted crime prevention strategies in the area.

Bognor Regis recorded 6.7 crimes per 1,000 residents in November 2023, a 1.8% increase from the previous month’s rate of 6.5. This slight upward trend contrasts with the area’s position 10.7% below the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000. Locally, 16 crimes were reported per day on average, a figure that, while modest, highlights the ongoing presence of crime in daily life. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 150 residents, illustrating the monthly exposure rate. With a population of 71,159, this translates to a relatively low frequency of crime relative to the area’s size. The stability in the crime rate—despite seasonal factors such as Bonfire Night and darker evenings—suggests that local initiatives or community vigilance may be mitigating risks. However, the data also reveals stark disparities in crime type distribution, with some categories far exceeding or falling short of the UK average, which will be explored further in the highlights section.