Bognor Regis Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Bognor Regis, a coastal town in the Arun district, saw its crime rate rise to 7.7 per 1,000 residents in December 2025, placing it 10% above the UK average of 7.0. This increase aligns with the seasonal dynamics of the area, where the Christmas shopping rush, extended evening darkness, and the presence of empty homes during holiday periods may contribute to heightened vulnerability. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 31.6% of all reported incidents, followed by criminal damage and arson (16.6%) and shoplifting (11.5%). Violence and sexual offences in Bognor Regis were 7% below the UK average, suggesting local factors may mitigate certain types of violent crime. However, the sharp rise in criminal damage and arson—now 150% above the UK average—highlights a significant regional disparity. This category's surge may reflect the impact of seasonal property neglect, with holiday absences creating opportunities for arson. Meanwhile, shoplifting rates remained 58% above the UK average, consistent with the retail activity concentrated in the town's high streets during the festive season. These patterns underscore the combination of local geography and seasonal rhythms in shaping crime profiles, even within a relatively low-crime coastal setting.

December 2025 marked a sharp upward trend in specific crime categories, with criminal damage and arson surging by 111.6% compared to the previous month, rising from 43 to 91 incidents. This spike, which places the category 150% above the UK average, may be linked to the seasonal emptiness of properties during the holiday period, a common vulnerability in coastal towns. Concurrently, vehicle crime doubled to 24 incidents, a 100% increase, potentially tied to the higher volume of festive travel and the presence of unattended vehicles in residential areas. Drug-related offences also rose sharply by 91.7%, from 12 to 23 cases, a figure that, while still below the UK average, indicates a growing concern. In contrast, bicycle theft plummeted by 85.7%, with only one reported incident compared to seven in November, reflecting reduced cycling activity during the colder months. Robbery and theft from the person both declined by two-thirds, though these categories remain well below the UK average, suggesting that local policing efforts or community initiatives may be effectively deterring these crimes. The breakdown shows a shift in the crime mix, with property-related offences now accounting for 58.8% of all incidents (242 cases) compared to 31.6% for violent crimes, a notable deviation from the national trend where violent crime typically dominates.

Bognor Regis' crime rate in December 2025 rose by 8.5% compared to the previous month, moving from 7.1 to 7.7 per 1,000 residents. This increase, while modest, places the area at a higher risk profile than in November, with daily crime rates averaging 18 incidents per day—a figure that, while lower than the UK average for similar-sized towns, remains a concern for local residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 130 residents, a monthly exposure rate that, while not extreme, highlights the persistent presence of criminal activity in the area. When viewed through a population-scaled lens, the 7.7 rate translates to approximately 548 crimes for Bognor Regis' 71,159 residents, a number that, while manageable, underscores the need for continued vigilance. The comparison to the UK average reveals a mixed picture: while violence and sexual offences are slightly below the national benchmark, the surge in criminal damage and arson far outpaces the UK rate, indicating a unique challenge for local authorities. This disparity may reflect the specific vulnerabilities of a coastal town with a high proportion of second homes, where seasonal neglect can exacerbate property-related crimes. The monthly exposure figure, though not alarmingly high, serves as a reminder that even modest increases in crime rates can have a tangible impact on community safety.