Rustington Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Rustington's crime rate in February 2024 stood at 3.6 per 1,000 residents, placing it 49.3% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. This marked a significant departure from the typical winter lull, with violence and sexual offences accounting for 34.9% of all reported crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour at 18.2% and criminal damage and arson at 10.6%. The area's crime profile reflects a unique balance between property and violent crime, with property crimes making up 38.6% of the total (51 incidents) and violent crimes comprising 34.9% (46 incidents). This divergence from the UK average, where property crimes typically dominate, suggests local factors may be influencing patterns. The seasonal context of February—a winter month with limited outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull—may partly explain the lower-than-expected crime rates, though the prominence of violence and sexual offences contrasts with the usual trend of property crimes rising during colder months. The area's built-up character within Arun, likely shaped by its coastal proximity and commuter demographics, may contribute to this dynamic, with limited opportunities for outdoor crime offsetting higher indoor incidents. The data shows no clear correlation with major events or seasonal transitions, but the persistent focus on violence and sexual offences suggests ongoing community-specific challenges.

February 2024 saw dramatic shifts in crime patterns, with vehicle crime surging by 200% (4 to 12 incidents), burglary doubling (2 to 4) and robbery emerging for the first time (0 to 1). These increases contrast sharply with declines in other categories, including a 75% reduction in 'other crime' (4 to 1) and a 66.7% drop in drug-related incidents (3 to 1). The most striking outlier was bicycle theft, which was 67% above the UK average (0.1 vs 0.1 per 1,000), suggesting a possible link to local infrastructure or commuting patterns. Violence and sexual offences remained the most prevalent category, 52% below the UK average (1.2 vs 2.5 per 1,000), while anti-social behaviour (0.7 per 1,000) and criminal damage (0.4 per 1,000) were also significantly below national benchmarks. The sharp rise in vehicle crime may reflect increased car ownership or changes in parking habits, though no direct causal link is confirmed. Residents might find the 12 vehicle crime incidents particularly concerning, as this category now accounts for 9.1% of all reported crimes in the area.

Rustington's crime rate in February 2024 rose 17.9% compared to January's 3.0 per 1,000, though it remains well below the UK average. Over the course of the month, 132 crimes were reported—roughly 5 per day—translating to a monthly exposure of 1 crime for every 281 residents. This figure, while low by national standards, highlights the area's generally safe environment. The previous month's rate of 3.0 per 1,000 suggests a gradual upward trend, though the overall rate is still 49.3% below the UK's 7.1 per 1,000. The population-scaled perspective reveals that Rustington's crime burden is significantly lighter than the national average, with its built-up character potentially contributing to more controlled environments. The daily crime count of 5 incidents provides a tangible benchmark for residents, indicating that while crime is present, it remains relatively infrequent. This comparison underscores the area's effectiveness in maintaining low crime rates, despite the recent upticks in vehicle crime and burglary. The contrast with the UK average reinforces Rustington's position as an outlier in terms of safety, particularly when considering the prominence of violence and sexual offences in the local crime mix.