Rustington Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated Rustington’s crime profile in December 2023, accounting for 36.4% of all reported crimes. With a crime rate of 3.3 per 1,000 residents, the area remains 54.2% below the UK average of 7.2 per 1,000, a testament to its relative safety. The most prevalent crime category, violence and sexual offences, is itself 54% below the UK average, suggesting a combination of local factors such as community engagement, policing strategies, or demographic characteristics that may contribute to lower rates of violent crime. This is consistent with the area’s character as a built-up part of Arun, where population density and community cohesion may play a role in mitigating such offences. Seasonal context further shapes the picture: December’s Christmas shopping peak, party season, and extended dark evenings may have influenced certain crime patterns. The second-highest category, criminal damage and arson, rose sharply by 122.2% compared to November, linked to holiday-related activities or increased property neglect during the festive period. Anti-social behaviour, the third most common category, decreased by 27.8% from November, reflecting seasonal variations in public gatherings or enforcement efforts. These shifts highlight the combination of local conditions and crime trends, even in an area with generally low rates.

December 2023 saw sharp increases in burglary, drugs, and criminal damage and arson, with burglary rising by 200% (from 2 to 6 incidents). This surge may partly explain the overall 12.4% month-on-month rise in the crime rate. Conversely, other theft and other crime both fell by 33.3%, indicating a mixed picture in property-related offences. Violence and sexual offences, which account for 36.4% of all crimes, remain 54% below the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000, a stark contrast to the national trend. The category of bicycle theft. of total crimes, is 67% above the UK average of 0.1 per 1,000, a finding that may warrant closer attention for local authorities. Residents might find the 12.4% increase in the crime rate, despite the area’s overall low rate, a useful data point for understanding local dynamics.

Rustington’s December 2023 crime rate of 3.3 per 1,000 residents marks a 12.4% increase from the previous month’s 2.9 per 1,000, reflecting a slight upward trend. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly four crimes per day over the 31-day period, a figure that provides a tangible sense of local crime frequency. Monthly exposure further contextualises this: over the course of December, one reported crime occurred for every 306 residents, a statistic that, while low, underscores the need for continued vigilance. The population-scaled perspective reveals that Rustington’s crime rate remains significantly lower than the UK average, which stood at 7.2 per 1,000. This contrast highlights the area’s relative safety, though the month-on-month rise suggests potential shifts in local patterns. The increase may be linked to seasonal factors such as the Christmas shopping peak and extended dark evenings, which can influence both criminal activity and police visibility. However, the absence of a substantial spike in overall crime indicates that the area’s broader safety profile remains stable.