Rustington Crime Rate July 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Rustington's crime rate in July 2024 stood at 5.2 per 1,000 residents, placing it 38.1% below the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000. This performance contrasts sharply with national trends, particularly in violent crime, where the area recorded 1.6 per 1,000 residents—44% below the UK average. Violence and sexual offences formed the largest single category, accounting for 30.9% of all reported crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour at 25.1%. These figures suggest a focus on interpersonal conflicts and public order issues, which may be amplified during the summer season when tourism and local events increase foot traffic in public spaces. The seasonal context of July—peak tourism month, with festivals and outdoor events—likely contributes to higher incidents of anti-social behaviour and public order violations, though the area's overall crime rate remains low compared to national benchmarks. Property crime rates were also significantly below UK averages, with shoplifting and burglary each recording 41% and 29% deficits respectively. This pattern may reflect effective policing in retail areas or the influence of a built-up area's infrastructure, which could limit opportunities for certain types of property crime. The low rate of vehicle crime, 57% below the UK average, suggests that local parking and traffic management strategies may be working well, though this remains an area for continued monitoring. Overall, Rustington's crime profile in July illustrates a combination of seasonal factors and localized characteristics that keep the area's crime rates well below national averages.

July 2024 marked a striking surge in 'other theft' offences, which rose by 175% compared to June, jumping from 4 to 11 incidents. This category, which includes theft of vehicles and unclassified property crimes, now accounts for 5.8% of all reported crimes in the area. Concurrently, bicycle theft doubled to 2 incidents, a move that may reflect increased cycling during summer months or specific vulnerabilities in local storage practices. Violent crime remained below the UK average, with 59 reported incidents—1.6 per 1,000 residents, 44% lower than the national benchmark. The drop in drug-related offences by two-thirds (from 3 to 1) suggests a possible reduction in illicit activity, though this change may not be fully representative without further context. These shifts highlight a combination of seasonal factors and localized crime patterns.

Rustington's crime rate in July 2024 rose 15% compared to June, reaching 5.2 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though modest, aligns with the area's seasonal rhythm: July is peak tourism month, with festivals and events drawing visitors. Locally, 6 crimes were reported daily on average, a figure that translates to one crime for every 194 residents over the month. This monthly exposure rate suggests a relatively low frequency of incidents for most residents, though spikes in specific categories may alter that perception. The rise from 4.5 to 5.2 per 1,000 residents reflects broader patterns seen in similar built-up areas during summer, where transient populations can influence crime dynamics. The population-scaled perspective shows that even with the 15% increase, Rustington remains well below the UK average, which stood at 8.4 per 1,000 in July.