Rustington Crime Rate March 2023 | Monthly Statistics

March 2023 marked a notable reduction in crime across Rustington, with the overall crime rate standing at 3.0 per 1,000 residents — 60.5% below the UK average of 7.6. This figures underscores the area’s consistently lower crime profile compared to national trends. Violence and sexual offences remained the most prevalent category, accounting for 33.9% of all reported crimes, though this rate (1.0 per 1,000) was 64% below the UK average. The seasonal transition to spring may have influenced patterns, with longer evenings and clock changes potentially altering activity levels in public spaces. Property crimes, while still significant (47 total), represented a smaller share (41.9%) than violent crimes, reflecting a shift in the crime mix compared to previous months. Criminal damage and arson (18 cases) and public order offences (16 cases) also contributed to the overall picture, both below UK averages by 17% and 38% respectively. The data suggests that Rustington’s built-up character, with its mix of residential and commercial areas, may contribute to certain crime types — for instance, shoplifting (13 cases) aligns with retail presence, while public order issues may stem from local community dynamics. However, the absence of major spikes in property crime or violent incidents indicates effective local management of risks. As March progressed, the mild weather and extended daylight hours could have deterred some crimes. The month’s figures highlight a continued trend of lower-than-average crime rates, particularly in violent categories, which may be attributable to community initiatives or policing strategies. While direct causes, the consistency of these patterns over time suggests that Rustington’s unique socio-economic profile plays a role in shaping its crime profile.

March 2023 saw a marked decline in violent crime compared to February, with violence and sexual offences decreasing by 12% (from 43 to 38 cases). This reduction, despite the seasonal shift to spring, may reflect targeted interventions or heightened community vigilance. The crime mix also shifted significantly, with property crimes accounting for 41.9% of total incidents — a drop from the previous month’s 48.5% — suggesting a temporary decrease in theft and burglary. Bicycle theft (2 cases) was the only category above the UK average, rising 43% compared to the national rate of 0.1 per 1,000. This anomaly could be linked to local cycling infrastructure or seasonal changes in outdoor activity. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour (5 cases) fell sharply, 90% below the UK average, indicating effective policing in high-traffic areas. For residents, the most concrete takeaway is the 64% reduction in violent crime rates compared to the UK, which may offer reassurance about the safety of public spaces during the transition to spring. The data also shows a consistent underperformance in vehicle crime (58% below UK average), which could be attributed to Rustington’s lower density of car parks or higher levels of community engagement in preventing such incidents.

When compared to February 2023, Rustington’s crime rate fell by 8.5%, from 3.25 to 3.0 per 1,000 residents, marking the third consecutive month of decline. This reduction translates to approximately 4 crimes reported per day in March — a figure that, while seemingly high, must be contextualised within the area’s population of 37,057. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 331 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is significantly lower than the UK average. This statistic, though abstract, provides a tangible sense of the scale of incidents relative to the local population. Rustington’s crime rate is also lower than the UK average when considering daily patterns: the 4 crimes per day in March equate to a 1-in-8,264 chance of being a victim, compared to the UK’s estimated 1-in-2,632. This stark difference underscores the area’s effectiveness in crime prevention, though such figures do not account for unreported incidents. The population-scaled perspective further highlights Rustington’s unique position: with 37,057 residents, the area’s crime rate is equivalent to 112 crimes per 100,000 people — a figure that is 60.5% below the UK’s 176 per 100,000. This discrepancy may be influenced by Rustington’s built-up character, which likely fosters stronger community networks and policing presence compared to more densely populated or rural areas. The comparison also reveals that Rustington’s lower property crime rate (particularly burglary and vehicle crime) may be due to its smaller scale and lower target density.