East Wittering Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

East Wittering’s crime profile in December 2024 reveals a unique balance between property and violent crime, with neither category dominating the other. The overall crime rate of 3.2 per 1,000 residents places the area 54.9% below the UK average of 7.1, a disparity that reflects both local characteristics and seasonal dynamics. Violence and sexual offences (9 incidents) and shoplifting (7 incidents) accounted for the majority of crimes, with the former 49% below the UK average and the latter 75% above. This contrast highlights the influence of local factors: while the area’s low population density and coastal proximity may contribute to lower violent crime rates, its retail presence and seasonal shopping activity could explain the elevated shoplifting figures. December’s dark evenings and holiday-related absences likely reduced opportunities for anti-social behaviour and criminal damage, which both fell by 50% compared to November. However, the sharp increase in other theft suggests vulnerabilities in home security during the festive period, a pattern consistent with other low-density areas. The interplay of these factors underscores how East Wittering’s crime profile, though modest in scale, is shaped by both its built-up character and the rhythms of the holiday season.

December 2024 saw a stark shift in East Wittering’s crime mix, with property and violent crimes each accounting for nearly half of the total (50% and 41%, respectively). This balance contrasts with the UK average, where violent crime typically dominates. Shoplifting surged by 75% above the UK average (0.6 per 1,000), despite a 50% decline in anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. The 100% increase in other theft (from 0 to 1) may reflect seasonal vulnerabilities, such as unsecured homes during the Christmas period. Meanwhile, violent crime fell by 30.8% from 13 to 9 incidents, a drop consistent with the holiday season’s reduced public interactions. This mix of trends illustrates how local and seasonal factors can reshape crime patterns, even in areas with generally low overall rates.

East Wittering’s crime rate in December 2024 fell to 3.2 per 1,000 residents, a 28.9% drop from the previous month’s 4.5 per 1,000. This decline aligns with seasonal patterns, as December’s shorter evenings and holiday-related absences may reduce opportunities for certain crimes. On a daily basis, the area saw roughly one reported crime per day, a figure that, while low, reflects the persistent presence of crime in a small built-up area. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 316 residents, a rate significantly lower than the UK average. This monthly exposure statistic highlights the relatively low risk faced by East Wittering residents compared to the national context. The population-scaled perspective underscores that, despite the absolute number of crimes remaining modest, the area’s crime profile remains distinct from the UK’s broader trends, particularly in categories like shoplifting and violence.