Littlehampton Crime Rate

Littlehampton has an overall crime rate of 130.0 per 1,000 residents, which is considerably higher than the UK national average of 93.1. This high rate results in a safety score of 70/100, which is below the UK benchmark of 78. Despite these challenging figures, the crime trend in the area is currently stable, showing a slight decrease of 2.7% over the last 12 months. This indicates that while crime levels are high, they are not currently escalating. This report provides a detailed breakdown of the types of crime occurring in Littlehampton and their timing, helping residents and visitors to better understand and navigate the local safety environment.

Crime Breakdown in Littlehampton

Littlehampton faces significant challenges with violence and sexual offences, which are the most common crimes, totalling 851 incidents and accounting for 35.3% of all reported activity. Anti-social behaviour is the second most frequent at 15.9%, followed by shoplifting at 12.1%. These figures reflect the urban nature of the town and the social pressures often found in larger coastal settlements.

Property crime is a major concern for the Littlehampton community, with a combined rate of 46.9 per 1,000 residents. This is substantially higher than the UK average of 32.9. The breakdown includes shoplifting (12.1%), criminal damage and arson (7.8%), vehicle crime (5.4%), and other theft (5.1%). Burglary accounts for 2.8% of reports. The high rate of property crime, particularly shoplifting and vehicle offences, suggests that both businesses and homeowners are at a heightened risk of opportunistic theft. For residents, the vehicle crime rate of 7.0 per 1,000 is a specific area of concern, indicating that secure parking and vehicle alarms are essential. The overall volume of property-related offences highlights the need for robust, proactive security measures to protect assets across the town.

Crime Trends in Littlehampton

The crime trend in Littlehampton is currently stable, with a slight 2.7% decrease in total reported incidents over the last 12 months. Monthly data shows that the crime rate per 1,000 residents fluctuated, starting at 10.4 in November 2024 and reaching a peak of 13.7 in July 2025. This mid-summer peak is common in coastal towns as visitor numbers increase.

Other high-activity months included May (12.1) and June (12.3). The lowest rate of 8.9 was recorded in February 2025, which is typical for the late winter period. Although the rate dipped to 9.7 by October 2025, it remained relatively high compared to the UK average. This stability suggests that while crime levels are not currently rising, they remain at a high baseline. For residents, this means that the need for consistent and robust security measures remains unchanged. The slight downward trend is a positive sign, but the high overall volume of crime indicates that vigilance is still required to protect personal safety and property.

How To Keep Safe in Littlehampton

Violence and sexual offences are the most frequently reported crimes in Littlehampton. To stay safe, it is advisable to avoid walking alone at night, particularly in less busy or poorly lit areas. Stick to main roads and well-populated routes when moving around the town after dark. If you are out in the evening, try to travel with friends and use reputable taxi services or public transport.

Anti-social behaviour is also a significant concern locally. Residents should report any persistent issues to the local police to help them target their patrols more effectively. In the town centre and shopping areas, be extra vigilant with your personal belongings, as shoplifting and 'other theft' rates are high. For vehicle owners, ensure your car is always locked, parked in a well-lit area, and that no valuables are left on display. Homeowners should consider installing a smart security system that provides alerts for activity at their property boundary. By staying aware of your surroundings and taking these practical steps, you can significantly reduce your risk of becoming a victim of crime in Littlehampton.

Crime Timing in Littlehampton

Crime in Littlehampton follows distinct patterns throughout the day. In the morning and afternoon, theft-related offences are the most common, accounting for 39% and 43% of incidents respectively. This peak coincides with the busiest shopping hours in the town centre, where shoplifting is most prevalent.

As the day transitions into the evening and night, the nature of crime changes. Between 6pm and 12am, 'other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order offences, make up 56% of all reports. During the late-night hours (12am - 6am), vehicle crime becomes the dominant threat, accounting for 41% of incidents, while burglary makes up 15%. These trends suggest that while daytime risks are primarily related to commercial theft, the risk to residential property and vehicles increases significantly overnight. Residents are encouraged to ensure that vehicles are securely parked and home security systems are active before dark to mitigate these night-time risks. Understanding these temporal trends is key to effective personal and property protection.

Littlehampton is a major urban centre on the West Sussex coast, and its crime rate of 130.0 is the highest among its immediate neighbours. In comparison, Wick (Arun) has a rate of 99.9, while the nearby settlement of Yapton stands at 107.9. Rustington is significantly safer, with a much lower rate of 51.3. The historic town of Arundel, however, reports an even higher rate of 189.9, though this is often influenced by its very small permanent population and high visitor numbers. Littlehampton’s position as a commercial and transport hub for the surrounding villages often draws in higher volumes of reported crime. Understanding these local variations is crucial for anyone living in or visiting the area, as safety levels can change significantly between adjacent settlements.

With a property crime rate of 46.9 per 1,000 in Littlehampton—well above the national average—traditional security measures are often pushed to their limits. Standard CCTV and doorbell cameras are reactive; they record a crime as it happens but rarely stop it. In a high-crime environment, homeowners need a system that can intervene before a break-in occurs.

scOS offers a proactive solution by using AI to detect threats at your property boundary. Rather than just providing footage of a burglary, scOS is designed to prevent it. Its multi-camera intelligence watches all angles of your property simultaneously, identifying potential intruders in real-time. The system learns your family’s routines and can autonomously activate deterrents like lights and speakers to stop criminals before they act. In an area like Littlehampton, where vehicle crime and shoplifting are prevalent, the visible and proactive presence of scOS makes your property a much harder target. Moving from reactive recording to proactive AI protection is the most effective way to secure your home and protect your assets in this challenging environment.