Rustington Crime Rate September 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Rustington's overall crime rate in September 2023 stood at 4.9 per 1,000 residents, placing it 38.7% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This stark divergence reflects a combination of local characteristics and seasonal dynamics. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 33.5% of all reported incidents (61 cases), followed by anti-social behaviour (12.1%) and shoplifting (11.5%). These patterns align with Rustington's status as a built-up area within Arun, where community-focused policing and relatively low population density may contribute to the area's lower crime profile. The seasonal context of September—marking the start of the academic year and the return of university students—likely influenced the crime mix, with violence and sexual offences peaking during this transitional period. While shoplifting rates remained slightly above the UK average (0.6 per 1,000), other property-related crimes such as burglary (0.1 per 1,000) and vehicle crime (0.3 per 1,000) were significantly below national benchmarks. This suggests that local initiatives or environmental factors, such as well-lit public spaces or community engagement programs, may be effective in deterring certain types of crime. The relatively low levels of violent crime compared to the UK average could also indicate successful youth engagement strategies or robust social cohesion within the area.

September 2023 saw sharp month-on-month increases in bicycle theft (+450%) and other theft (+250%), both of which are likely linked to the influx of students returning to the area. Robbery rates also rose by 200%, though this remains a small absolute figure (3 cases). These spikes contrast with declines in burglary (-66.7%) and drug-related crimes (-50%), which may reflect heightened police presence or targeted interventions during the academic term. Shoplifting rates, at 0.6 per 1,000, were 7% above the UK average, potentially indicating challenges in retail crime prevention despite the area's generally low crime profile. Conversely, anti-social behaviour rates were 55% below the UK average, suggesting that community-focused policing or local initiatives may be effectively addressing public order issues. The most striking anomaly was bicycle theft, which surged to 11 cases—200% above the UK average of 0.1 per 1,000. This could signal a need for improved bike storage infrastructure or increased security measures in high-traffic areas such as university campuses or commuter hubs. Residents may find the 200% above UK average for bicycle theft particularly relevant, as it highlights a specific vulnerability in the area's crime prevention strategy.

Rustington's crime rate in September 2023 rose 9.6% compared to August, moving from 4.5 to 4.9 per 1,000 residents. While this increase is modest, it underscores the volatility of crime trends during transitional periods like the start of the academic year. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 6 crimes per day in September—a figure that, while low, reflects the concentrated nature of certain crime types such as violence and sexual offences. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 204 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is significantly lower than the UK average. This suggests that Rustington's residents face a markedly lower risk of experiencing crime compared to the national population. The population-scaled perspective is particularly telling: with 37,057 residents, the 182 total crimes reported equate to a crime rate that is 38.7% below the UK average. This gap may be attributed to factors such as Rustington's relatively small size, strong community ties, or the effectiveness of local policing strategies. However, the 450% increase in bicycle theft highlights the need for targeted measures to address this specific vulnerability, which could have broader implications for the area's safety profile if left unaddressed.