Arun’s crime rate in September 2023 stood at 7.2 per 1,000 residents, placing it 10% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This lower-than-average rate, despite the month’s transition into the academic year and the associated influx of students and commuters, suggests a combination of effective local policing and community initiatives. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 35.4% of all reported incidents, though Arun’s rate for this category (2.6 per 1,000) was 5% below the UK average. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, making up 15.2% of crimes, with a rate 18% below the national figure. The seasonal context of September—marked by the start of the academic term and shorter evenings—may have influenced patterns, though the overall decline in crime from the previous month suggests that these factors were not sufficient to drive a significant increase. The data also highlights notable discrepancies between local and national trends, such as shoplifting rates in Arun being 25% above the UK average, a figure that could be attributed to the area’s retail density and tourist activity. Conversely, vehicle crime and burglary rates remained well below the UK average, reflecting a lower prevalence of car-centric areas or higher levels of community vigilance. These findings illustrate the combination of local characteristics and national trends, offering insights into the unique dynamics shaping Arun’s crime profile.