East Wittering Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

East Wittering's crime profile in January 2026 reveals an unusual concentration of public order offences, which rose to 4 cases — 43% above the UK average of 0.4 per 1,000. This stark divergence from national trends contrasts with the area’s overall crime rate of 3.5 per 1,000, which is 48.5% below the UK average of 6.8. The most prevalent category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 14 of the 24 total crimes (58.3% of all incidents), with a rate of 2.0 per 1,000 — 20% below the UK average. Anti-social behaviour and criminal damage also fell significantly below national figures, reflecting a pattern of low property-related crime. Seasonal factors likely played a role: January, a post-holiday month with shorter days and reduced retail footfall, typically sees lower outdoor crime. However, the surge in public order offences defies this trend, suggesting localized pressures that may relate to community dynamics or event activity. The area’s low overall rate aligns with its character as a small built-up area with limited commercial density, where crime prevention measures such as community policing and local engagement may contribute to sustained safety. While violent crime remains the largest category, its rate is lower than the UK average, indicating a unique balance between resident demographics and local conditions.

January 2026 saw dramatic fluctuations in specific crime categories. Public order offences spiked by 300% compared to December, rising from 1 to 4 cases — a figure 43% above the UK average. This jump, though not reflected in the overall rate, highlights a potential shift in local tensions or event-related activity. Concurrently, violence and sexual offences surged by 133.3%, increasing from 6 to 14 cases — the highest category by far. This rise occurred despite the category’s rate (2.0 per 1,000) remaining 20% below the UK average. Meanwhile, shoplifting fell by 83.3% (from 6 to 1), aligning with typical January trends of reduced retail footfall. Anti-social behaviour also dropped by 33.3%, from 3 to 2 cases. These movements suggest seasonal influences, but the public order spike stands out as an anomaly. Residents may find the 14 violent crime cases particularly noteworthy, as this category accounted for over half of all incidents. The contrast between rising public order offences and falling property crimes illustrates a combination of community dynamics and external factors from the data alone.

East Wittering’s crime rate in January 2026 rose by 26.4% compared to December’s 2.7 per 1,000, marking a notable upward trend despite remaining 48.5% below the UK average. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 1 crime per day — a figure that, while modest, reflects the concentrated nature of incidents in a small population. Over the course of the month, 1 crime occurred for roughly every 290 residents, a statistic that contextualizes the impact on local communities. With a population of 6,948, this translates to a relatively low monthly exposure compared to larger urban areas. The previous month’s rate (2.7 per 1,000) was already 44.1% below the UK average, so the 3.5 per 1,000 figure in January represents a shift but still maintains a significant gap from national norms. This contrast underscores the area’s distinct character as a low-density built-up zone, where crime prevention efforts and community cohesion may mitigate risks. While the increase in public order offences raises questions about localized pressures, the overall rate remains in line with East Wittering’s historical tendency to report fewer crimes than the UK average, suggesting that broader demographic or geographic factors continue to shape the area’s safety profile.