Rustington Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Rustington's crime profile in January 2024 reveals a nuanced balance between property and violent crimes, with the latter slightly outnumbering the former. At 3.0 per 1,000 residents, the area's overall crime rate remains 59.5% below the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000, a figure that underscores its status as one of the safer built-up areas in the UK. Violence and sexual offences (36 incidents) dominate the crime profile, accounting for 32.1% of all reported crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (25 incidents, 22.3%) and public order offences (10 incidents, 8.9%). This distribution suggests a focus on interpersonal conflicts and community disruptions rather than property-related crimes, a pattern consistent with Rustington's character as a relatively compact, possibly commuter-oriented area within Arun. The seasonal context of January—marked by post-holiday lulls, reduced retail footfall, and shorter days—likely contributes to the lower incidence of outdoor crimes such as burglary and vehicle crime, which fell by 66.7% and 55.6% respectively compared to December. However, the sharp rise in anti-social behaviour (+92.3%) raises questions about community dynamics, potentially linked to the area's social fabric or local events. While the UK average for violence and sexual offences stands at 2.6 per 1,000, Rustington's rate of 1.0 per 1,000 illustrates a marked divergence from national trends, likely reflecting the area's demographic composition or policing strategies. This data illustrates an area where community-focused policing and local initiatives may be playing a role in maintaining lower violent crime rates, though the surge in anti-social behaviour indicates challenges that require targeted attention.

January 2024 saw a striking 92.3% increase in anti-social behaviour, rising from 13 to 25 incidents—a sharp contrast to the 66.7% drop in burglary and vehicle crime. This shift highlights a growing emphasis on community-focused issues over property-related crimes, a trend consistent with the area's 59.5% below the UK average for overall crime. Violent crimes (36) outnumbered property crimes (33) by a narrow margin, a balance that may indicate heightened tensions in social interactions or public spaces. Violence and sexual offences in Rustington (1.0 per 1,000) were 62% below the UK average (2.6 per 1,000), suggesting a safer environment for residents compared to national trends. The 100% drop in bicycle theft—from 3 to 1—could reflect seasonal factors, such as reduced cycling during colder months, though the small sample size limits definitive conclusions.

Rustington's crime rate in January 2024 (3.0 per 1,000 residents) marks a 7.6% decline from December's 3.3 per 1,000, reflecting a slight but consistent trend in crime reduction. On a daily basis, 4 crimes were reported each day in January, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents within the built-up area. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 331 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the relatively low frequency of incidents compared to the UK average. This statistic, when considered alongside the area's population of 37,057, suggests that residents are not frequently encountering crime in their daily lives. The decrease in burglary and vehicle crime—each falling by 66.7% and 55.6% respectively—may align with seasonal factors, such as reduced outdoor activity during shorter daylight hours. However, the sharp rise in anti-social behaviour (+92.3%) warrants attention, as this category now constitutes 22.3% of all reported crimes, a significant shift in the local crime profile.