East Wittering Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

East Wittering's crime profile in February 2026 reveals a continued divergence from national trends, with a total crime rate of 3.5 per 1,000 residents — 45.3% below the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000. This figure underscores the area's overall safety, though the breakdown of crime types offers nuanced insights. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 45.8% of all crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (29.2%) and other theft (4.2%). The dominance of violent crime, despite its decline, contrasts with the UK average, where property crimes typically outnumber violent ones. This anomaly may reflect East Wittering's status as a built-up area within Chichester, where social interactions in public spaces could contribute to higher rates of interpersonal offences. Seasonal factors appear to play a role: February's low outdoor activity and pre-spring lull align with the overall stability in crime rates, though the sharp rise in anti-social behaviour suggests other influences. The UK comparison highlights that East Wittering's rates for specific categories — such as vehicle crime (71% below average) and shoplifting (83% below) — are exceptionally low, likely due to the area's limited commercial density and tight-knit community structure. These patterns reinforce the idea that local geography and social dynamics significantly shape crime profiles, even within a broader national context.

February 2026 saw a marked 21.4% decrease in violence and sexual offences, falling from 14 to 11 incidents. This reduction aligns with the pre-spring lull in activity, though local factors such as community initiatives may have contributed. Conversely, anti-social behaviour surged by 250%, rising from 2 to 7 reports — a stark increase that warrants scrutiny. Other theft and vehicle crime both doubled from zero to one incident each, suggesting isolated events rather than systemic trends. East Wittering's violence rate of 1.6 per 1,000 is 31% below the UK average for this category, a consistent advantage likely tied to the area's compact, residential nature. Meanwhile, public order offences plummeted by 75%, from 4 to 1, possibly linked to reduced foot traffic during winter. These shifts highlight the volatility of smaller crime categories and the importance of tracking specific patterns over time.

East Wittering's crime rate remained stable at 3.5 per 1,000 residents in February 2026, matching the same figure recorded in the previous month. This consistency suggests no abrupt shifts in local patterns, though seasonal factors may still influence crime dynamics. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly one reported crime per day, a figure that, while low, reflects the small population of 6,948 residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 290 residents — a ratio that underscores the area's overall safety relative to its size. When compared to the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000, East Wittering's rate is 45.3% lower, a gap that persists despite the slight seasonal dip in outdoor activity. The local context — a built-up area within Chichester — likely contributes to this disparity, with limited commercial density and a more residential character reducing opportunities for certain crimes. This stability contrasts with broader UK trends, where urban centres often see higher rates during winter months due to increased indoor gatherings and reduced visibility.