Selsey Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated Selsey’s crime profile in December 2024, accounting for 54.6% of all reported crimes. This category, which includes assault and sexual assault, occurred at a rate of 2.8 per 1,000 residents—9% above the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000. The area’s overall crime rate of 5.1 per 1,000 residents was 28.2% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000, a significant divergence that suggests local factors may be influencing crime patterns. While property crimes remained relatively low (10 cases, 18.2% of total), violent crime dominated the breakdown, with 30 incidents recorded. Public order offences (5 cases) and shoplifting (4 cases) followed, though shoplifting occurred at a rate 30% below the UK average. The seasonal context of December—marked by Christmas shopping, extended evening darkness, and potential holiday-related disruptions—may have contributed to the rise in violence and public order issues. Selsey’s built-up area within Chichester, a coastal town with a mix of residential and retail zones, likely experiences heightened activity during peak shopping periods, which could explain the focus on violent and disorderly incidents. The data also highlights a contrast with national trends, where drug-related offences and weapons possession were higher in the UK than in Selsey. This divergence suggests local policing strategies, community engagement, or demographic characteristics may be shaping crime outcomes differently here.

December 2024 saw sharp increases in public order offences (+150%) and shoplifting (+100%), both of which rose from 2 to 5 and 2 to 4 cases respectively. This surge in public order incidents, which include anti-social behaviour and disorderly conduct, may be linked to the festive season’s social gatherings and increased foot traffic in the town centre. Shoplifting’s doubling could reflect higher retail activity during Christmas, though it occurred at a rate 30% below the UK average. Conversely, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage both declined significantly, with anti-social behaviour dropping by 80% (from 10 to 2 cases) and criminal damage falling by 50% (from 6 to 3 cases). These decreases may indicate effective local interventions or seasonal lulls in certain types of crime. Drugs-related offences saw a 100% increase, rising from 0 to 4 cases, a figure that is 67% above the UK average of 0.2 per 1,000. This anomaly raises questions about local patterns, though no direct causal factors are provided in the data. Meanwhile, violence and sexual offences remained the most significant category, with their rate (2.8 per 1,000) outpacing the UK average by 9%. For residents, the sharp rise in public order incidents—particularly during the festive period—may be a key concern, as these often involve alcohol-related disputes or disturbances in public spaces.

Selsey’s crime rate in December 2024 (5.1 per 1,000) marked a 37.6% increase from the previous month’s rate of 3.7 per 1,000, reflecting a notable upward trend. This rise was accompanied by a daily crime count of approximately 2 incidents per day, a figure that, while low, underscores the intensity of reported crimes during the month. Over the course of December, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 198 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is significantly lower than the UK average. However, this aggregate statistic does not capture the uneven distribution of crime types; for instance, the 30 incidents of violence and sexual offences were concentrated in a relatively small portion of the population. Selsey’s population of 10,891 residents places its crime profile in contrast to larger urban areas, where higher population density often correlates with elevated crime rates. The localised nature of Selsey’s built-up area within Chichester—likely characterised by a mix of residential and commercial zones—may contribute to its relatively low overall crime rate compared to the UK. Yet, the month-on-month increase suggests that seasonal factors, such as the Christmas shopping period and increased socialising, could have temporarily amplified certain types of crime. Residents may find the daily crime count (2 per day) a useful benchmark for understanding the frequency of incidents in their community, though this figure remains well below the UK average.