Rural Arun Crime Rate March 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 11,324, Rural Arun recorded 37 crimes in March 2023 — equivalent to one reported crime for every 306 residents. This translates to a crime rate of 3.3 per 1,000, placing the area 56.6% below the UK average of 7.6 per 1,000. The data reveals a distinct pattern in the types of crimes reported, with violence and sexual offences dominating at 43.2% of the total (16 incidents), followed by public order (13.5%) and criminal damage and arson (10.8%). This mix contrasts with the UK average, where property crimes typically feature more prominently. The seasonal transition to spring, with longer evenings and the clocks changing, may have influenced activity levels, though no direct correlation with crime types is evident. The area’s rural character, combined with its built-up nature, likely creates a unique dynamic: while low population density may reduce opportunities for certain crimes, the presence of community hubs or local services could contribute to the higher proportion of violent incidents compared to the UK average. This snapshot underscores the need to consider both geographic and social factors when interpreting crime trends in smaller, mixed-terrain areas.

March 2023 saw a notable concentration of violent crimes, with violence and sexual offences making up nearly half (43.2%) of all reported incidents — significantly above the UK average for this category (2.7 per 1,000, 49% below). This suggests a shift in the crime mix compared to other months, where property crimes often dominate in similar rural areas. The rate of public order offences (0.4 per 1,000) was 38% below the UK average, potentially reflecting the area’s lower population density and fewer public spaces prone to disorder. Conversely, robbery — a category typically rare in rural settings — was 11% above the UK average. This anomaly may be linked to isolated incidents rather than a broader trend. For residents, the data highlights that 80% of shoplifting cases in the area were below the UK average, indicating that local retail environments may be less targeted than in urban centres. These findings illustrate how even small variations in crime types can signal underlying patterns, such as the influence of seasonal changes on community interactions or the limited scope for certain crimes in a rural context.

In March 2023, Rural Arun experienced an average of one reported crime per day — a figure that, while low, reflects the area’s small population. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 306 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is considerably lower than the UK average. This statistic provides context for residents, showing that the likelihood of encountering crime in daily life remains minimal compared to the national picture. The population-scaled perspective further underscores the area’s relative safety: with 11,324 residents, the 37 crimes reported represent a manageable burden for local services. However, the breakdown of crimes reveals that the area’s profile differs from the UK average in specific ways. For instance, the rate of violence and sexual offences (1.4 per 1,000) is 49% below the UK average for this category, despite making up a larger share of the local total. This paradox may stem from the area’s rural nature, where violent crimes, though fewer in number, are proportionally more significant than in densely populated regions. These comparisons highlight the importance of tailoring crime prevention strategies to local conditions, rather than applying generic urban-focused approaches to rural communities.