Bognor Regis Crime Rate August 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Bognor Regis recorded a crime rate of 7.2 per 1,000 in August 2024, placing it 12.2% below the UK average of 8.2 per 1,000. As a coastal resort town, the area’s crime profile is shaped by seasonal dynamics, with August typically seeing fluctuations due to tourism and the summer holidays. Violence and sexual offences (37.9% of total crimes) remained the most prevalent category, followed by anti-social behaviour (16.7%) and public order offences (9.5%). This distribution reflects the dual nature of Bognor Regis as both a residential community and a destination for holidaymakers, where interactions between locals and visitors can contribute to incidents of disorder. While the overall rate is lower than the UK average, the town’s violent crime rate aligns precisely with the national figure for this category (2.7 per 1,000), suggesting no significant deviation from broader trends. The seasonal context of August—characterised by high visitor numbers, increased foot traffic, and the temporary absence of some residents—likely plays a role in shaping the crime mix. For example, the rise in public order offences may correlate with the challenges of managing crowds in popular areas like the promenade or during events. Conversely, the relatively low burglary rate (0.2 per 1,000) compared to the UK average (0.3 per 1,000) could be attributed to the seasonal emptiness of second homes, which may deter opportunistic burglars. However, the sharp increase in theft from the person—now at 0.0 per 1,000—raises concerns about targeted crimes in tourist-heavy zones, where victims may be more vulnerable due to unfamiliarity with local environments. This pattern is consistent with other seaside towns during peak season, where short-term visitors often report feeling less secure in crowded or poorly lit areas. The town’s crime profile thus illustrates a combination of local demographics, tourism, and the seasonal rhythms that define Bognor Regis as a coastal destination.

August 2024 marked a sharp 200% increase in theft from the person, rising from one reported incident in July to three. This surge, though still low in absolute terms, underscores heightened vulnerability in public spaces during peak tourist hours. Concurrently, vehicle crime surged by 44.4% (9 to 13), a shift that may reflect increased car ownership among seasonal residents or unsecured vehicles in holiday parking areas. Conversely, burglary and robbery both fell by 35% and 33.3% respectively, likely influenced by the seasonal absence of long-term residents during August. The crime mix also showed a notable shift: while violent crimes (37.9% of total) remained the dominant category, anti-social behaviour (16.7%) and public order (9.5%) accounted for a larger share than usual, possibly linked to the influx of holidaymakers. Anti-social behaviour in Bognor Regis was 17% below the UK average, a contrast to the 11% rise in public order offences, which exceeded the national benchmark.

Bognor Regis saw a 5.2% decrease in its overall crime rate from July 2024 (7.6 per 1,000) to August 2024 (7.2 per 1,000), marking the third consecutive monthly decline. This reduction aligns with a broader trend of stabilising crime rates in coastal towns during summer months, though local factors may still influence patterns. On a daily basis, August 2024 averaged 17 crimes per day, a figure that reflects both the town’s population size and seasonal activity. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 138 residents, a ratio that contextualises the scale of incidents relative to the area’s 71,159 inhabitants. This monthly exposure rate is consistent with historical data for Bognor Regis, where tourism and seasonal fluctuations often moderate crime levels compared to inland areas. The population-scaled perspective highlights that while the absolute number of crimes remains low, targeted awareness of specific rising categories—such as theft from the person—remains crucial for residents.