Rustington Crime Rate April 2025 | Monthly Statistics

April 2025 saw Rustington's crime rate remain significantly lower than the UK average, with 4.7 crimes per 1,000 residents—39% below the national figure of 7.7. Violence and sexual offences accounted for nearly 30% of all reported crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (19.5%) and shoplifting (12.1%). These patterns align with the area's character as a coastal commuter town with a mix of residential and retail spaces. The seasonal context of Easter and spring weather brought increased foot traffic to local amenities, which may have contributed to higher rates of anti-social behaviour and public order incidents. Despite this, Rustington's overall crime profile remains safer than the UK average, with property crimes (62) and violent crimes (52) both falling well below expected levels for a similar-sized built-up area. The lower-than-average prevalence of vehicle crime (0.2 per 1,000) and burglary (0.1 per 1,000) suggests effective local policing strategies or community engagement initiatives, though no specific programmes are cited in the data. The absence of significant seasonal spikes in property crime contrasts with the usual Easter-related retail theft patterns observed in other UK towns, indicating a unique local dynamic that warrants further analysis.

April 2025 marked a sharp rise in certain crime categories, with other theft surging by 800% (from 1 to 9 incidents) and bicycle theft doubling (from 2 to 6). These increases, though still below UK averages for most categories, highlight specific vulnerabilities. Bicycle theft in Rustington (0.2 per 1,000) was 186% above the UK average of 0.1 per 1,000, suggesting a need for targeted measures such as secure bike storage in popular areas. Meanwhile, violent crimes (52) remained 46% below the UK average (2.6 per 1,000), and anti-social behaviour (34) was 32% below the national rate (1.3 per 1,000). This contrast with the UK trend may reflect Rustington's lower population density and more community-oriented policing approach. The 100% increase in robbery cases (from 0 to 2) is particularly concerning, as it represents a complete absence of such incidents in the previous month. Residents should be especially vigilant in areas with transient populations or late-night retail activity, where the risk of personal crime has risen. Drug-related offences fell by 50% (from 4 to 2), and other crime categories also showed declines, though these reductions may be temporary and require continued monitoring.

Rustington's crime rate in April 2025 rose by 29.8% compared to March's 3.6 per 1,000, reflecting a 174-crime total over 30 days—approximately 6 crimes per day. This daily figure places the area in the lower quartile of UK built-up areas for routine criminal activity, though the month-on-month increase underscores the need for vigilance. On a population-scaled basis, the monthly exposure rate of 1 crime per 213 residents highlights that most residents remain unaffected, but the rising trend suggests a shift in local dynamics. Comparing this to the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000, Rustington's residents still benefit from a 39% safety advantage, particularly in violent crime (29.9% of total crimes) and property crime (35.6% of total). However, the 200% jump in bicycle theft raises questions about whether increased cycling during spring weather or changes in bike security practices have contributed to this spike. The 1-in-213 monthly exposure rate is comparable to other low-crime commuter towns in the South East, but the recent upward trend in specific categories indicates a need for tailored local responses. While the overall crime profile remains reassuring, the month-on-month increases in theft-related crimes suggest that community awareness campaigns focused on personal property security could be beneficial.