Littlehampton Crime Rate August 2025 | Monthly Statistics

August 2025 marked a troubling period for Littlehampton, with its crime rate of 10.2 per 1,000 residents placing it 25.9% above the UK average. This stark deviation from national trends highlights the area's unique challenges, particularly in violent and property crimes. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 33% of all reported incidents and 18% above the UK average. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, contributing 19.7% of total crimes, a 37% increase over the national rate. Shoplifting, at 14.4% of all crimes, was 138% above the UK average—a figure that may be linked to Littlehampton's retail presence and the influx of tourists during the summer months. The seasonal context of August, a peak holiday period, likely exacerbates these trends by increasing foot traffic in commercial areas and leaving homes unoccupied, creating opportunities for burglary. While the proportion of property crimes (48.4%) remained slightly lower than violent crimes (65.6%), the sharp rise in specific categories such as burglary and theft from the person indicates a need for heightened awareness and targeted interventions. Local authorities may need to consider the interplay between seasonal tourism, retail activity, and the area's built-up character to address these persistent disparities.

August 2025 saw significant month-on-month increases in theft from the person (+100%), other crime (+66.7%), and burglary (+40%), raising concerns for residents. Violence and sexual offences remained the most prevalent category (33% of total crimes), 18% above the UK average, while shoplifting surged to 138% above the national rate. These spikes contrast with notable decreases in drugs (-90%) and possession of weapons (-75%), likely linked to temporary factors such as holiday-related enforcement or reduced activity. The sharp rise in theft from the person—jumping from zero to one reported incident—suggests heightened vulnerability for individuals in public spaces, particularly during August's busy tourism period. Residents should remain vigilant in high-traffic areas and consider reporting suspicious activity promptly.

Littlehampton's crime rate in August 2025 (10.2 per 1,000) marks a 26.0% decrease from July's 13.7 per 1,000, suggesting a short-term dip in overall crime. However, this remains 25.9% above the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000, indicating persistent challenges. On a daily basis, 6 crimes were reported per day in August, reflecting the area's consistently high crime profile. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 99 residents, highlighting the frequency of incidents in a relatively small population of 18,529. While the month-on-month decline is notable, the absolute rate remains elevated compared to national benchmarks, particularly in violent and property crimes. This contrast between local and national trends underscores the need for targeted local strategies, as seasonal factors like August's peak holiday period may temporarily influence crime patterns but do not address underlying issues.