Rural Arun Crime Rate September 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated Rural Arun’s crime profile in September 2023, accounting for 36.4% of all reported crimes—nearly double the share of the next most common category, criminal damage and arson (18.2%). This focus on violent crime, which stood at 2.5 per 1,000 residents (9% below the UK average of 2.7 per 1,000), contrasts with the area’s relatively low levels of property-related offences, which collectively made up 52.2% of the total. The 6.8 per 1,000 crime rate for the month was 15% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000, a gap consistent with the characteristics of rural built-up areas where crime tends to be concentrated in smaller, more tightly knit communities. Seasonal factors likely played a role in shaping the crime picture, as September’s return to school and university freshers may have contributed to the rise in violence and sexual offences, consistent with patterns observed in similar regions during the autumn term. However, the absence of major urban centres or high-traffic retail zones appears to have limited the prevalence of shoplifting and theft from the person, which remained below UK averages. The data also reveals a marked divergence in crime types compared to the national picture, with rural-specific challenges such as criminal damage and arson—100% above the UK average—highlighting the unique dynamics of this area’s landscape and community structures.

September 2023 saw sharp increases in vehicle crime, criminal damage and arson, and possession of weapons, with vehicle crime surging by 200% (from 3 to 9 incidents) and criminal damage and arson rising by 133.3% (from 6 to 14). These spikes may partly explain the overall shift in crime mix, as property-related offences now account for 52.2% of total crimes—up from 42.8% in August—while violent crimes fell to 36.4% of the total. Possession of weapons rose 329% above the UK average, a stark contrast to the 78% reduction in anti-social behaviour (from 19 to 3 incidents). This divergence in trends highlights the area’s unique profile, where rural isolation may contribute to certain categories, such as criminal damage, while the absence of large public spaces may limit others, like theft from the person. Residents may find the 200% increase in vehicle crime particularly concerning, as it suggests a potential vulnerability in local parking infrastructure or increased traffic during the school term.

Rural Arun’s crime rate in September 2023 stood at 6.8 per 1,000 residents, marking a 7.2% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 7.3 per 1,000. This decline aligns with broader trends observed in similar rural areas during the transition from summer to autumn, when outdoor activity shifts and community routines stabilize. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 3 crimes per day, a figure that, while modest, reflects the density of built-up areas within Arun’s rural landscape. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 147 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the relatively low frequency of crime in this region compared to larger urban centres. This statistic, when contextualised against the local population of 11,324, highlights the area’s overall safety profile, particularly given the absence of major commercial hubs or high-density housing. The reduction in anti-social behaviour and burglary—down 66.7% and 66.7% respectively—suggests that targeted local efforts or seasonal factors may have contributed to the trend, though can be established from the data alone.