Rustington Crime Rate August 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Rustington's crime rate in August 2025 stood at 5.2 per 1,000 residents, a figure 35.8% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. This performance highlights the area's continued status as a relatively low-crime environment, though the month-on-month increase of 15.6% from 4.5 to 5.2 per 1,000 suggests a seasonal shift. Anti-social behaviour dominated the crime picture, accounting for 28.1% of all incidents, followed by violence and sexual offences (26.0%) and shoplifting (12.0%). These patterns align with Rustington's built-up character, where high foot traffic and social spaces may drive anti-social incidents, while its smaller size and community presence likely deter more severe crimes. The seasonal context of August as a peak holiday month appears to have influenced crime dynamics: increased tourism may have contributed to higher public order offences, while the absence of occupants in holiday homes during the summer likely reduced burglary opportunities. However, the sharp rise in 'other crime' and robbery suggests emerging challenges, linked to transient populations or changes in local activity patterns. Rustington's performance in violent crime (51% below UK average) and property-related offences (shoplifting and criminal damage both below UK rates) underscores the area's distinct profile compared to larger urban centres, where such categories often dominate. This contrast may reflect Rustington's suburban nature, with a balance between community cohesion and the typical risks of a built-up area.

August 2025 saw a sharp rise in 'other crime', which surged by 200% from one to three incidents, and robbery, which doubled from zero to three. These increases, while modest in absolute terms, reflect a shift in the crime mix, with property-related offences (shoplifting, criminal damage) accounting for 23.5% of total crimes compared to 26% in the previous month. Violence and sexual offences, though remaining the second most common category, were 51% below the UK average, a striking contrast to national trends. Public order offences also rose by 45.5%, likely linked to August's peak holiday season, which often brings transient populations and increased social interactions. Burglary dropped by 71.4% from seven to two incidents, a decline consistent with the seasonal context of empty homes during the summer. This reduction in property crime may be partly explained by the area's built-up nature, which typically sees more surveillance and community presence.

Rustington's crime rate in August 2025 rose by 15.6% compared to the previous month, climbing from 4.5 to 5.2 crimes per 1,000 residents. This increase, though notable, still places the area 35.8% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. Daily crime statistics reveal an average of six reported incidents each day, a figure that may seem high but remains contextually lower than national trends. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for roughly every 193 residents, a monthly exposure rate that highlights the area's relatively low incidence of crime compared to the UK. The population-scaled perspective further underscores that Rustington's residents face a significantly lower risk of victimisation than the national average, despite the recent upward trend. This contrast between local and national figures suggests that the area's unique characteristics, such as its built-up yet low-density nature, may contribute to its crime profile.