Rustington Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated Rustington's crime picture in December 2024, accounting for 31.4% of all reported crimes. With 43 incidents recorded, this category far outpaced other types, including property crimes (60) and violent crimes (43). The area's overall crime rate of 3.7 per 1,000 residents placed it 47.9% below the UK average of 7.1, a stark contrast to national trends. This divergence may be attributed to Rustington's status as a built-up area within Arun, where community cohesion and local policing efforts likely contribute to lower rates of violent crime. Seasonal factors also played a role: the peak of Christmas shopping, combined with darker evenings and the temporary absence of residents during holidays, may have created conditions conducive to certain offences, such as shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. However, the significant drop in anti-social behaviour (53.8%) and public order offences (28.6%) suggests that local initiatives—such as increased patrols during festive periods—may have mitigated some risks. The UK average for violence and sexual offences stands at 2.6 per 1,000, meaning Rustington's rate is 53% below the national benchmark, a figure that highlights the effectiveness of targeted crime prevention strategies in the area. While property crimes remained relatively high, their rate (1.6 per 1,000) was still 28% below the UK average, indicating that even in this category, Rustington performs better than the national norm. These patterns underscore the combination of local demographics, seasonal rhythms, and policing efforts in shaping the area's crime profile.

December 2024 saw a 62.5% increase in shoplifting, rising from eight to 13 incidents, a sharp rise that may reflect the surge in Christmas shopping activity. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour fell by 53.8%, from 26 to 12 cases, possibly linked to the quieter festive season and reduced nightlife activity. Drug-related crimes also rose sharply, doubling from two to five incidents—a 150% increase—though this remains well below the UK average. The drop in public order offences by 28.6% (from 14 to 10) aligns with the seasonal slowdown in social events. Bicycle theft doubled from one to two incidents, a small but significant uptick that may be tied to increased holiday travel or seasonal theft patterns. These shifts illustrate how local rhythms—shopping, social gatherings, and seasonal travel—interact with crime trends in Rustington.

Rustington's crime rate in December 2024 dropped 9.8% from 4.1 to 3.7 per 1,000 residents, continuing a downward trend seen in recent months. This reduction aligns with broader patterns of lower crime in built-up areas of Arun, where community-focused policing and local initiatives may contribute to stability. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately four crimes per day, a figure that remains lower than the UK average when scaled to Rustington's population. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 270 residents, a statistic that underscores the relatively low level of risk compared to national benchmarks. With a population of 37,057, the area's crime profile suggests that local factors—such as community engagement and targeted prevention efforts—play a significant role in maintaining safety, even during the busy and often chaotic December period.