Rustington Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Rustington's crime profile in January 2026 reveals a striking imbalance between violent and property crime, with violent offences accounting for 39% of all reported incidents compared to 13.8% for shoplifting. This pattern, while consistent with the area's character as a built-up residential and commercial hub within Arun, contrasts with the UK average where property crimes typically dominate. The overall crime rate of 3.3 per 1,000 residents places Rustington 51.5% below the UK average of 6.8, a gap that reflects both local policing effectiveness and the area's lower population density compared to major urban centres. Violence and sexual offences (48 incidents) remain the most significant category, though this figure is 48% below the UK average for the same category. The seasonal context of January—a post-holiday period with shorter days and reduced retail footfall—likely contributes to the lower volume of property crimes, which typically peak during festive shopping months. Anti-social behaviour, while not the most frequent crime type, remains a persistent concern, with its 0.6 per 1,000 rate 35% below the UK average. This suggests that while Rustington's community may be relatively cohesive, targeted interventions in high-risk areas could further reduce disturbances. The lower prevalence of vehicle crime (73% below UK average) may also reflect the area's limited commuter traffic and the absence of large car parks that typically drive such offences. Overall, the crime picture illustrates a balance between the inherent risks of a populated area and the mitigating factors of local infrastructure and policing.

January 2026 saw a significant 91.7% increase in anti-social behaviour, rising from 12 to 23 incidents—a sharp contrast to the 60% decrease in vehicle crime (from 5 to 2). This shift in crime mix highlights a growing emphasis on public order issues, with anti-social behaviour now representing 18.7% of total crimes, compared to 13.8% for shoplifting. The dominance of violent crime, particularly in the form of violence and sexual offences (48 incidents), is notable: this category is 48% below the UK average but remains the largest single contributor to Rustington's crime rate. The 100% increase in theft from the person (from 0 to 1 incident) is a rare outlier, though the single report may reflect isolated opportunistic activity rather than a broader trend. Residents may find the 58% reduction in criminal damage and arson (from 1.6 to 0.2 per 1,000) particularly reassuring, as this category often correlates with vandalism in public spaces. The 50% increase in burglary (from 2 to 3 incidents) is tempered by the fact that this remains 64% below the UK average, suggesting that while no major security breaches occurred, vigilance in residential areas remains necessary. The crime mix's tilt towards violent over property crime may indicate a need for enhanced community engagement strategies to address underlying social tensions.

Rustington's crime rate in January 2026 (3.3 per 1,000) represents a 2.5% increase from December 2025's rate of 3.2, though this remains well below the UK average. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 4 crimes per day in January, a figure that translates to one reported crime for roughly every 301 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate—while low compared to national standards—suggests that residents face a relatively low risk of becoming victims, particularly when contrasted with areas where rates exceed 10 per 1,000. The population-scaled perspective is critical: with 37,057 residents, even a small increase in crime volume can be statistically significant. For example, the 91.7% rise in anti-social behaviour (from 12 to 23 incidents) represents an additional 11 incidents in a community of 37,057, or roughly one extra disturbance for every 3,370 residents. This underscores the importance of targeted interventions in high-risk locations, such as public spaces where anti-social behaviour is more likely to occur. The comparison with the previous month also reveals that while overall crime has increased slightly, the area's overall safety profile remains robust, with all major crime categories (except anti-social behaviour) remaining below the UK average. This suggests that the 2.5% month-on-month increase is a minor fluctuation rather than a significant trend, particularly when viewed in the context of seasonal factors like reduced foot traffic and colder weather.