Rustington Crime Rate

Rustington is a safe and pleasant urban settlement in West Sussex, currently holding a high safety score of 89/100. The area's overall crime rate is 50.6 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the UK national average of 91.7. Recent data indicates a slight upward trend in activity, with a 7.5% increase year-over-year. As a popular residential and retirement area with a busy village centre, Rustington maintains a secure environment compared to its larger neighbours. While personal offences and anti-social behaviour are the most frequently reported, property-related crime remains low. The following analysis provides a detailed breakdown of statistics to help residents and visitors understand the safety landscape of Rustington.

In Rustington, violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type, accounting for 30.3% of all reports. Anti-social behaviour is the second most frequent at 20.9%, followed by shoplifting at 10.9%. Overall property crime—including burglary, theft, and vehicle-related offences—occurs at a rate of 18.2 per 1,000 residents. This is significantly lower than the UK national average of 32.3. Within this category, vehicle crime (5.8%) and 'other theft' (5.1%) are more frequent than residential burglary (3.0%). This suggests that while the area is generally safe, residents should be mindful of car security and opportunistic theft. Burglary rates are low, but maintaining good home security remains important for long-term safety.

Rustington has seen a 7.5% increase in crime over the past year. Monthly data for 2025 shows that crime rates fluctuated between 3.3 and 5.9 per 1,000 residents. The highest activity was recorded in June (5.9) and August (5.2), which may correlate with increased outdoor activity during the summer months. Other high months included May (5.1) and April (4.7). The year ended with a decrease to 3.4 in November. This pattern suggests that while the overall trend is slightly upward, crime in Rustington remains stable and low. The modest increase does not significantly impact Rustington's standing as a high-safety urban settlement.

How To Keep Safe in Rustington

The most frequent crimes in Rustington are violence and sexual offences and anti-social behaviour. While the overall rate is low, it is always recommended to stay aware of your surroundings, especially when walking in the village centre or in less-populated areas after dark. Stick to well-lit paths and consider using personal safety apps that allow you to share your location with trusted contacts.

Property crime is relatively low, but shoplifting and vehicle crime are the most common offences in this category. Always ensure your vehicle is locked and that no valuables are left on display, particularly when parked in public car parks. For homeowners, ensuring that windows, doors, and side gates are securely locked can help protect against opportunistic theft. Given that a significant percentage of vehicle crimes occur at night, parking in a garage or a well-lit driveway is advised. Installing a proactive security system that detects and deters intruders at your property boundary can provide the best protection for your home and vehicles. Participation in local Neighbourhood Watch schemes is also encouraged to stay informed about any suspicious activity in your neighbourhood.

Crime timing in Rustington shows that theft-related offences are primarily a daytime issue, while anti-social behaviour and vehicle crime peak in the evening and night. Theft accounts for 33% of morning reports and 37% of afternoon incidents, correlating with village centre activity. In contrast, vehicle crime is most prevalent during the night (12am-6am), representing 43% of all reports in that window. Anti-social behaviour and 'other' crimes are highest in the evening (57%). Burglary is more prominent in the afternoon (16%) and night (15%). These patterns suggest that while the area is very safe, different risks emerge throughout the 24-hour cycle, requiring varied security focus.

Rustington (50.6) is one of the safest urban settlements in the Arun coastal region. It is significantly more secure than nearby Littlehampton (128.2), Wick (96.4), and Worthing (92.5). While it is more active than the small village of Clapham (0.0), it offers a much lower-risk environment than the surrounding larger towns. For those seeking a balance of amenities and high safety, Rustington is a premier choice in the West Sussex area.

Rustington has a property crime rate of 18.2 per 1,000 residents, which is well below the national average. However, in an area with a high proportion of residential properties and a busy shopping centre, opportunistic theft and vehicle crime can still occur. Traditional security systems, such as standard CCTV or video doorbells, are reactive; they record a crime as it happens but often fail to prevent it. For residents in Rustington, scOS offers a more advanced, proactive solution. The AI-powered system monitors all camera feeds simultaneously to identify potential threats at the property boundary. It can verify vehicles and recognize daily routines, ensuring that alerts are only sent for real threats. If an intruder is detected, scOS can autonomously activate deterrents like lights and speakers to stop a burglary or vehicle theft before it begins. This preventative approach is the most effective way to protect your home and maintain Rustington's reputation as a high-safety area.