Littlehampton Crime Rate July 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Littlehampton's July 2024 crime rate of 15.0 per 1,000 residents marked a stark divergence from the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000, placing the area 78.6% above the national benchmark. This elevated rate reflects a pronounced shift in crime patterns, with violence and sexual offences accounting for 38.1% of all reported incidents—nearly double the UK average of 2.9 per 1,000. Shoplifting, at 13.0% of total crimes, also exceeded the UK rate by 179%, while anti-social behaviour followed closely at 13.0%, 31% above the national figure. These figures suggest a combination of the area's seasonal dynamics and its urban character. July, a peak summer month with schools out and tourism at its height, likely contributed to increased foot traffic in retail and leisure areas, which may partly explain the sharp rise in shoplifting and public order offences. The dominance of violent crime, however, indicates deeper challenges that extend beyond seasonal factors, potentially linked to the area's proximity to major transport hubs and the transient nature of its population during festival season. While direct causal links, the alignment of crime trends with local rhythms—such as the timing of outdoor events and the influx of visitors—suggests that addressing these patterns will require targeted strategies that account for both year-round and seasonal influences.

July 2024 saw dramatic month-on-month changes in Littlehampton's crime profile. Other theft surged by 400%, rising from three to 15 incidents, while theft from the person and bicycle theft both doubled, reflecting a sharp increase in property-related crimes. These spikes may be partly attributed to the summer season, when festivals and outdoor events draw larger crowds to the area, potentially creating opportunities for opportunistic theft. Conversely, possession of weapons fell by 40%, and public order offences decreased by 34.5%, suggesting some success in addressing immediate disruptions. The breakdown of crime types further reveals significant disparities: violence and sexual offences, at 5.7 per 1,000, remain 100% above the UK average, while burglary—a category typically higher in rural areas—was 3% below the national rate. This contrast underscores the unique challenges of Littlehampton, where urban density and tourism intersect with the relative safety of residential areas. For residents, the most striking insight is the 400% rise in other theft, which may indicate a need for increased awareness around securing personal belongings in public spaces during peak tourist periods.

Littlehampton's crime rate in July 2024 rose to 15.0 per 1,000 residents, an 18.3% increase from the previous month's rate of 12.7 per 1,000. This upward trend, though modest in absolute terms, reflects a growing challenge for local authorities. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately nine crimes per day, a figure that, while lower than the UK average in some categories, remains higher in violent and property-related offences. Over the course of July, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 67 residents—a monthly exposure rate that highlights the persistent nature of crime in the area. When contextualised within Littlehampton's population of 18,529, this means that over 278 crimes were reported across a relatively small geographic footprint, intensifying the impact on local communities. The comparison to the previous month also reveals a shift in the balance of crime types, with property crimes (104) now accounting for a smaller proportion of total incidents than violent crimes (106), a reversal of earlier trends. This shift may signal evolving patterns in criminal activity, potentially influenced by the seasonal influx of visitors and the associated pressures on local infrastructure and policing resources.