Bognor Regis Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

The crime profile in Bognor Regis during February 2024 reveals a distinct balance of crime types that aligns with the area’s characteristics as a coastal resort town with a mix of residential and commercial zones. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 37.3% of all crimes, significantly higher than the UK average for this category (2.5 per 1,000 vs 2.2 per 1,000), suggesting a concentration of incidents in areas with higher foot traffic or social interaction, such as the town centre. Property-related crimes, including shoplifting (10.6%) and criminal damage (10.6%), were also notable, both exceeding the UK average for their respective categories. This may reflect the impact of seasonal factors, as February’s low outdoor activity and pre-spring lull could drive indoor and retail-related offences. Anti-social behaviour, however, was 43% below the UK average, indicating community efforts or lower population density in certain areas. The overall crime rate of 6.0 per 1,000 residents, 15.5% below the UK average, suggests a relatively stable environment despite fluctuations in specific categories. The interplay between violent crime and property crime highlights the dual pressures on local policing: addressing immediate safety concerns in public spaces while managing the risk of theft in retail areas. This balance may also reflect the area’s role as a tourist destination, where transient populations could contribute to certain crime patterns. The data underscores the need for targeted strategies that address both high-impact violent incidents and the more frequent but lower-severity property crimes.

February 2024 saw significant month-on-month changes in specific crime categories, with shoplifting increasing by 73.1% (26 to 45 incidents) and other crime rising sharply by 366.7% (3 to 14). These jumps may be linked to seasonal factors, such as the timing of local events or increased retail activity during the pre-spring period. Conversely, robbery fell by 50% (from 2 to 1), and criminal damage and arson decreased by 30.8% (65 to 45), potentially reflecting the impact of winter conditions or improved community vigilance. The crime mix shifted slightly, with property crimes (shoplifting, criminal damage) making up 21.2% of total incidents, compared to 37.3% for violent crimes. This suggests a persistent focus on addressing public safety in high-traffic areas, though the relative stability in violent crime rates compared to the UK average (2.2 per 1,000 vs 2.5 per 1,000) indicates some success in maintaining local safety. Anti-social behaviour remained 43% below the UK average, a figure that could be useful for residents seeking reassurance about community safety in their neighbourhoods.

The crime rate in Bognor Regis for February 2024 increased by 7.9% compared to the previous month, rising from 5.6 to 6.0 per 1,000 residents. This upward trend, though modest, highlights the variability in crime patterns over short periods. On a daily basis, the area experienced an average of 15 crimes per day, a figure that provides context for residents and local authorities assessing the frequency of incidents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 167 residents, a monthly exposure rate that, when compared to the population of 71,159, suggests a relatively low level of personal risk for most residents. However, the increase in shoplifting and other crimes underscores the need for vigilance in areas with high retail turnover. The population-scaled perspective reveals that while the overall rate remains below the UK average, the specific categories showing divergence from national trends—such as the 11% above average for shoplifting—require targeted attention. These figures illustrate the importance of localised strategies that address the unique challenges of Bognor Regis, balancing the demands of a coastal resort with the need for consistent public safety measures.