Bognor Regis Crime Rate September 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For every 1,000 residents in Bognor Regis, 7.2 crimes were recorded in September 2023—a rate 10% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This translates to a local risk profile where residents face roughly one reported crime for every 139 people over the course of the month. The most prevalent crimes were violence and sexual offences (40.2% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (14.1%) and criminal damage and arson (9.6%). These figures align with patterns seen in coastal towns with mixed residential and tourist populations, where late-night activity and seasonal transitions may influence crime dynamics. September, marked by the return to school and university freshers, likely contributes to heightened incidents of violence and public order offences. The relatively low property crime rate (32.4% of total) suggests that residential areas may be more secure than typical for larger urban centres, though this could reflect underreporting or effective local policing. The seasonal context—nights drawing in and students arriving—may partly explain the higher proportion of violent crimes compared to other months, as nightlife activity shifts and social interactions intensify. However, the overall rate remains significantly lower than the UK average, indicating that Bognor Regis maintains a safer environment than many comparable areas.

September 2023 saw notable fluctuations in crime types, with theft from the person increasing by 100% (2 to 4 incidents) and shoplifting rising by 20.7% (29 to 35). These spikes may reflect the impact of university freshers' week, where increased foot traffic in retail areas could heighten opportunities for theft. Conversely, criminal damage and arson fell by 43.7% (87 to 49), a drop that could be attributed to improved community engagement or seasonal factors such as reduced outdoor activity as evenings shorten. Anti-social behaviour, which accounted for 14.1% of crimes, remained 25% below the UK average, suggesting that local initiatives or community cohesion may be effective in mitigating such incidents. The rate of violence and sexual offences (2.9 per 1,000) was 6% above the UK average, a discrepancy that may be linked to the area's social mix, including transient student populations. Meanwhile, vehicle crime—3.1 per 1,000—was 58% below the UK average, likely due to lower car density or effective parking enforcement in a coastal town with fewer high-traffic commercial zones. These shifts highlight the combination of local demographics, seasonal rhythms, and policing strategies in shaping crime patterns.

Bognor Regis' crime rate in September 2023 (7.2 per 1,000) was 5.6% lower than the previous month's rate of 7.6 per 1,000, reflecting a gradual decline in overall criminal activity. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 17 crimes per day, a figure that, while modest, underscores the importance of vigilance for residents. When scaled to the local population of 71,159, this translates to one reported crime for every 139 residents over the course of the month—a rate that is 10% below the UK average. This comparative advantage may be attributed to the area's smaller size, lower population density, and potentially more effective community policing. However, the monthly exposure metric—1 crime per 139 residents—remains a tangible reminder that no area is entirely immune to crime. The drop in overall crime rate aligns with national trends in late summer, where cooler weather and the start of the academic year may reduce opportunities for certain types of crime. Yet, the persistence of violent offences above the UK average highlights the need for targeted interventions in areas where social interactions are more frequent, such as pubs or student housing. This data invites further consideration of how local factors, from tourism to education, shape the crime profile in ways distinct from larger urban centres.