East Wittering Crime Rate September 2024 | Monthly Statistics

The crime mix in East Wittering during September 2024 reveals a distinctive profile shaped by both local demographics and seasonal factors. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 42.9% of all crimes, the largest single category, while anti-social behaviour followed closely at 20.0%. This emphasis on violent crime contrasts with the UK average, where such offences make up 16% of the total, suggesting a unique dynamic in this built-up area. Shoplifting, at 17.1% of total crimes, emerged as the third most common category, though it exceeded the UK average by 32%, a discrepancy that may be explained by the area's proximity to educational institutions and the influx of new residents during the academic year. The overall crime rate of 5.0 per 1,000 residents places East Wittering 35.1% below the UK average of 7.7, a gap that highlights the area's relatively low levels of crime despite its urban characteristics. This disparity may be influenced by the area's compact size and limited commercial activity compared to larger urban centres. The seasonal context of September—marked by the return of students and the onset of colder weather—likely contributed to the rise in violence and public order offences, as increased social interaction and nightlife activity may have created conditions conducive to such incidents. Conversely, the decline in criminal damage and arson, which fell by 50% compared to August, could reflect reduced outdoor activity as the month progressed. These patterns collectively illustrate a crime profile that is both influenced by and distinct from national trends, with local factors playing a significant role in shaping the balance of crime types.

September 2024 saw a 200% increase in shoplifting, rising from 2 to 6 incidents—a sharp departure from previous months. This surge, which places shoplifting 32% above the UK average, may be linked to the start of the academic year, with students and new residents frequenting local retail areas. Concurrently, violence and sexual offences rose by 50%, reaching 15 incidents, the highest category share at 42.9% of total crimes. This increase aligns with the seasonal context of September, when university freshers and back-to-school activities bring higher foot traffic to the area. Criminal damage and arson fell by 50%, from 6 to 3 incidents, a decline that contrasts with the UK average for this category. Public order offences also doubled, reflecting potential challenges in managing increased social activity during the transition from summer to autumn. These shifts underscore a combination of seasonal dynamics and local demographics, with property crime and violent crime showing divergent trajectories.

East Wittering's crime rate in September 2024 rose 3.1% month-on-month to 5.0 per 1,000 residents, reflecting a slight upward trend from the previous month's 4.9. On a daily basis, this equates to approximately one crime reported each day across the built-up area, a figure that remains low compared to broader UK trends. When scaled to the population of 6,948, the monthly exposure translates to one reported crime for every 199 residents, a statistic that underscores the area's relatively low crime density. This figure is particularly striking when contrasted with the UK average, where the equivalent monthly exposure would be significantly higher. The population context further highlights East Wittering's position as a low-crime area, with its small size and limited urban infrastructure likely contributing to the reduced frequency of incidents. However, the 3.1% increase suggests that local factors—such as seasonal transitions or temporary spikes in specific crime types—may be exerting a subtle influence on the area's crime profile.