East Wittering Crime Rate January 2025 | Monthly Statistics

East Wittering's crime rate in January 2025 stood at 5.0 per 1,000 residents, placing it 29.6% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. This figure, while lower than the national benchmark, reflects a mix of crime types that diverge from typical patterns in larger urban areas. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 37.1% of all reported crimes, making them the most common category in the area. This is notable as the UK average for this category is 2.5 per 1,000, suggesting a higher prevalence of violent crime in East Wittering compared to the national rate. Shoplifting followed with 17.1% of total crimes, though this figure was slightly below the UK average. The seasonal context of January—a post-holiday period with reduced retail footfall and shorter days—may have influenced the lower incidence of outdoor crimes. However, the spike in 'Other crime' to 0.4 per 1,000 (122% above the UK average) highlights an unusual trend that warrants further analysis. This category's inclusion in the breakdown may reflect unclassified or niche offences not typically seen in similar areas, though the exact nature of these incidents remains unclear. The area's built-up character within Chichester, combined with its coastal location, likely contributes to its distinct crime profile, which balances lower property crime rates with higher violent crime rates than the UK average.

January 2025 saw a 400% increase in criminal damage and arson, rising from 1 to 5 incidents. This sharp rise contrasts with a 14.3% decrease in shoplifting, which fell from 7 to 6. The 'Other crime' category stood out as 122% above the UK average, a stark anomaly compared to other categories. For example, violence and sexual offences were 24% below the UK average, suggesting a lower incidence of such crimes in this area. The increase in criminal damage may be linked to seasonal factors, such as reduced foot traffic in retail areas during colder weather, which could make certain locations more vulnerable to vandalism. Residents may find the breakdown of crime types useful, as it reveals that property-related crimes (shoplifting, burglary) remain relatively low compared to violent offences. This mix of trends underscores the combination of local conditions and national crime patterns.

East Wittering's crime rate in January 2025 rose 59.0% from the previous month's 3.2 per 1,000 to 5.0 per 1,000. This increase, though significant, remains 29.6% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. On a daily basis, the area saw approximately one crime per day over the month, a figure that reflects the relatively low overall rate compared to larger urban centres. When scaled to the local population of 6,948, the monthly exposure equates to one reported crime for every 199 residents. This statistic provides context for residents, indicating that while crime is not absent, it is proportionally rare in this built-up area. The rise in crime since December may be linked to seasonal factors, such as colder weather reducing outdoor activity and potentially altering crime patterns in public spaces. However, the overall rate remains comfortably below the UK average, suggesting that East Wittering's unique characteristics—such as its coastal location and smaller population—continue to influence its crime profile.