East Wittering Crime Rate April 2023 | Monthly Statistics

In April 2023, East Wittering recorded a crime rate of 3.3 per 1,000 residents, placing it 56% below the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000. This figure underscores the area’s relatively low risk profile compared to national trends, a pattern consistent with its character as a built-up coastal town within Chichester. The most common crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 26.1% of all incidents, followed closely by public order (17.4%) and other theft (17.4%). These figures may reflect the area’s mix of residential and tourist activity, as well as its proximity to Chichester’s urban core, which could contribute to incidents of public disorder and interpersonal conflict. Seasonal factors also appear to influence crime patterns: the Easter period, coupled with spring weather, likely increased outdoor activity, shifting crime toward public spaces. However, the overall rate remains significantly below the UK average, a trend that may be attributed to the area’s smaller, more closely knit community and lower population density compared to larger urban centres. While violence and sexual offences are 65% below the UK average, the relatively high rate of bicycle theft (43% above the UK average) could indicate a need for targeted measures in cycling infrastructure or security awareness. The combination of low overall rates with specific local challenges illustrates the nuanced nature of crime in East Wittering, where geographic and demographic factors interact with seasonal rhythms to shape the local crime picture.

April 2023 saw a 300% increase in other thefts, rising from one to four incidents, while bicycle theft and possession of weapons both doubled from zero to one. These spikes contrast with a 75% decline in shoplifting, which fell from eight to two, and a 45.5% reduction in violence and sexual offences, down from 11 to six. The shift in crime types highlights a notable shift in the balance between property and violent crime, with property-related offences now making up 52% of the total (11 out of 21) compared to 26.1% for violence. Violence and sexual offences in East Wittering remain 65% below the UK average (2.6 per 1,000), suggesting a consistently lower risk in this category. Conversely, bicycle theft is 43% above the UK average (0.1 per 1,000), a figure that may reflect the area’s proximity to cycling routes or seasonal travel patterns. For residents, the drop in shoplifting could indicate a successful local initiative or seasonal changes in retail activity, though no specific programmes are referenced in the data.

East Wittering's crime rate in April 2023 (3.3 per 1,000 residents) represents a 23.4% decline from the previous month’s rate of 4.3 per 1,000. This reduction translates to a daily average of one reported crime across the 30-day period, a figure that may offer reassurance to residents. When scaled to the area’s population of 6,948, the monthly exposure rate means that one crime occurred for roughly every 302 residents during the month. This context helps frame the likelihood of encountering crime in everyday life: over the course of a year, a resident would statistically experience a crime approximately once every 30 months. The drop in the overall rate aligns with seasonal patterns, as spring weather and Easter holidays may have encouraged more outdoor activity, shifting crime patterns toward public spaces rather than isolated incidents. However, the monthly exposure figure remains a statistical aggregate and does not reflect individual risk, which can vary based on specific neighbourhoods and behaviours.