East Wittering Crime Rate September 2023 | Monthly Statistics

The crime profile of East Wittering in September 2023 reveals a distinct mix of violent and property crimes, with violence and sexual offences accounting for nearly 40% of all reported incidents. This proportion is higher than the UK average, where such crimes make up 2.7 per 1,000 (49% below East Wittering's rate). The area's overall crime rate of 3.7 per 1,000 remains 53.8% below the UK average of 8.0, underscoring its relatively low-risk environment. Anti-social behaviour and criminal damage also feature prominently, though both are significantly below national averages. Seasonal factors appear to influence these patterns: as September marks the start of term time and the transition into darker evenings, the rise in violent crime may reflect increased social activity in the town's public spaces. The low levels of burglary and vehicle crime, despite the 100% increase in the latter, contrast with the UK average and suggest that the area's built-up character within Chichester may offer some natural deterrence to property-related offences. This combination of crime types indicates an area where community interactions and local events play a key role in shaping crime dynamics, rather than the broader urban or rural factors typically associated with higher crime rates.

September 2023 saw a notable shift in crime patterns, with violent crimes forming 38.5% of total incidents, compared to 29.5% for property crimes. This balance differs from the UK average, where violence and sexual offences account for 2.7 per 1,000 (49% below East Wittering's rate). The most significant month-on-month change was the 100% increase in other theft and shoplifting, both rising from zero to one incident. Vehicle crime also doubled, suggesting potential seasonal factors such as increased travel or freshers' week activity. Conversely, burglary and drugs-related crimes fell by 66.7% and 50.0% respectively, possibly reflecting the end of summer holidays or reduced tourism. These fluctuations highlight the area's sensitivity to seasonal rhythms, with anti-social behaviour and public order offences also rising slightly during the transition into autumn.

East Wittering's crime rate in September 2023 rose 37.0% from the previous month, moving from 2.7 to 3.7 per 1,000 residents. This increase, while notable, remains 53.8% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. On a daily basis, the area saw approximately one crime reported each day in September, a figure that translates to a monthly exposure of one reported crime for every 267 residents. This relatively low frequency suggests that most residents are unlikely to encounter crime in their daily lives, though the shift from August to September indicates a seasonal uptick. The population of 6,948 further contextualises these numbers, highlighting that even with the rise, the area maintains a significantly safer profile than the UK average. The increase may be partially explained by the transition into autumn, with freshers' week and school terms beginning, which could contribute to higher levels of anti-social behaviour and public disorder.