East Wittering Crime Rate April 2024 | Monthly Statistics

East Wittering's crime rate in April 2024 stood at 3.0 per 1,000 residents — 61% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000 — reflecting a consistently low level of criminal activity for a built-up area. The most common crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 42.9% of all incidents, which is 49% below the UK average for this category. This suggests that while violent crime remains a concern, its prevalence in East Wittering is significantly lower than in other parts of the country. Property-related crimes, including other theft (19.1% of total incidents) and shoplifting (9.5%), were also reported, though these rates remain well below national averages. The surge in other theft — a category encompassing vehicle crime and theft from vehicles — highlights a specific vulnerability tied to the area's geographic features. East Wittering's proximity to coastal roads and commuter routes may explain this trend, as these locations are often associated with higher rates of vehicle-related crime. Meanwhile, the relatively low incidence of public order offences (4.8% of total incidents) — 81% below the UK average — could be influenced by the area's small population and the seasonal context of April, which includes the Easter holiday period and spring weather that may encourage more outdoor activity. The overall crime profile in East Wittering is thus shaped by a combination of its low population density, geographic characteristics, and the seasonal rhythms of the local community. These factors contribute to a crime environment that is markedly different from the UK average, with residents facing a significantly lower risk of encountering crime compared to the national benchmark.

April 2024 saw significant shifts in crime patterns, with other theft incidents surging by 100% compared to March, rising from zero to four reports. This category, which includes vehicle crime and theft from vehicles, is now 7% above the UK average rate of 0.6 per 1,000. Concurrently, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour both doubled from March levels, though these remain well below UK averages (55% and 75% lower, respectively). The rise in violent crimes — accounting for 42.9% of all incidents — marks a shift towards a more violent crime mix than typically seen in the area. Drugs-related offences rose to 0.4 per 1,000, a 100% increase over the UK average of 0.2 per 1,000. This contrast highlights the area's unique profile, where property crimes are less common than in many parts of the UK. Residents may find the 100% increase in other theft particularly relevant, given the area's proximity to coastal roads and commuter routes that could contribute to vehicle-related crime. The simultaneous decline in public order offences by two-thirds suggests a possible seasonal shift in activity patterns during the Easter period, though this could also reflect temporary changes in community engagement or policing priorities.

East Wittering's crime rate in April 2024 rose by 10.6% compared to March, moving from 2.7 to 3.0 per 1,000 residents. This increase, while modest, is notable against the backdrop of a consistently low overall rate. On a daily basis, the area saw approximately one crime reported per day over the month, reflecting a pattern of sporadic incidents rather than sustained spikes. When scaled to the population of 6,948, this translates to one reported crime for every 331 residents over the course of April — a figure that underscores the rarity of criminal activity in this built-up area. While the UK average crime rate remains significantly higher at 7.7 per 1,000, East Wittering's monthly exposure to crime remains far below national benchmarks. The population context further highlights that residents here face a risk profile markedly different from the UK average, with violent crimes and drug-related incidents forming distinct patterns compared to broader trends. This contrast is particularly evident in categories such as violence and sexual offences, where local rates are 49% below the UK average despite the month-on-month rise in specific incidents. The area's proximity to coastal roads and commuter routes may partly explain the surge in vehicle-related theft, while its relatively small population size contributes to the low frequency of crimes per capita. These factors collectively illustrate how East Wittering's unique geographic and demographic characteristics shape its crime profile in ways that diverge from national averages.