East Wittering Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

East Wittering's crime profile in December 2023 reveals a combination of seasonal dynamics and local characteristics, with property crimes and violent offences maintaining a balanced but low overall rate. The total crime rate of 2.6 per 1,000 residents places the area 63.9% below the UK average of 7.2, a disparity that may reflect both the built-up area's limited commercial density and the community's effective crime prevention measures. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 27.8% of all crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (16.7%) and criminal damage and arson (11.1%). This distribution contrasts with the UK average, where violence and sexual offences constitute 2.6 per 1,000, compared to East Wittering's 0.7 per 1,000. The low rate of violent crime may be partly explained by the area's character as a residential and semi-rural built-up zone with limited nightlife or high-density commercial activity, factors that typically correlate with higher violence rates. Seasonal context further shapes the data: December's Christmas shopping peak, dark evenings, and empty homes over the holidays may have contributed to anti-social behaviour and criminal damage, while the decline in violence could reflect reduced social interactions or heightened community vigilance during the festive season. The presence of bicycle theft at a rate 67% above the UK average (0.1 vs 0.1 per 1,000) highlights an unusual trend, linked to temporary increases in cycling during the holiday season or the use of public spaces for bike storage. This anomaly underscores the importance of considering both local and national patterns when interpreting crime statistics, as East Wittering's data illustrates a microcosm of broader UK trends with distinct regional nuances.

December 2023 saw a sharp 200% increase in anti-social behaviour, rising from one incident to three. This surge, coupled with a 100% rise in criminal damage and arson, contrasts with a 16.7% decline in violence and sexual offences, which fell from six to five. The property crime to violent crime balance shifted slightly, with property crimes (8) maintaining a marginal lead over violent crimes (5), though both categories remained significantly below UK averages. Bicycle theft increased by 100% to one incident, a rate 67% above the UK average of 0.1 per 1,000. This anomaly may reflect seasonal factors, such as increased bicycle usage during festive events or temporary storage of bikes in public spaces. Residents may find the 73% reduction in violence and sexual offences compared to the UK average (2.6 vs 2.6 per 1,000) particularly noteworthy, suggesting a community resilience or effective local policing strategies in this built-up area.

East Wittering's crime rate in December 2023 rose by 49.7% compared to the previous month, moving from 1.7 to 2.6 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though significant, remains 63.9% below the UK average of 7.2 per 1,000. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one crime per day in December, a figure that may reflect the seasonal rhythm of the built-up area within Chichester. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 386 residents, highlighting the low frequency of incidents relative to the population of 6,948. This monthly exposure statistic provides a tangible measure of risk for residents, placing East Wittering among the safer areas in the UK. The population context further underscores that even with the rise in crime, the absolute numbers remain modest, aligning with the area's character as a relatively tranquil built-up zone with limited industrial or commercial density.