West Wittering Crime Rate

West Wittering, located within Chichester, recorded a crime rate of 30.2 per 1,000 residents between January 2025 and December 2025. This figure is notably lower than the UK average of 91.6 per 1,000, indicating a comparatively safer environment. However, a detailed examination of the specific crime types is essential for a comprehensive understanding of the area's safety profile. While the overall trend shows a decrease in reported crimes, understanding the fluctuations within that trend provides valuable insights for residents and local authorities. This data aims to provide a clear and objective picture of the crime landscape in West Wittering, allowing for informed decisions and proactive safety measures.

The crime landscape in West Wittering is shaped by its unique characteristics as a small, coastal village within Chichester. The population of 1,358 residents contributes to a close-knit community, but also presents specific challenges. The area’s popularity as a tourist destination, particularly during the warmer months, can bring increased footfall and potential opportunities for opportunistic crime. The presence of seasonal workers and the relative isolation of some properties also contribute to the factors influencing crime statistics. Proximity to larger urban areas, while offering benefits, can also expose the village to external criminal influences. Understanding these factors is crucial when analysing the reported crime data for West Wittering.

Crime rates in West Wittering have shown a decreasing trend, down 12.8% year-on-year. Monthly data reveals fluctuations, with peaks observed in March, July and October 2025, and a notably low point in June 2025. This variability underscores the importance of monitoring crime trends over time rather than relying on single-month figures. While the overall downward trend is encouraging, continued vigilance and proactive community engagement remain essential to maintaining a safe environment.

How To Keep Safe in West Wittering

Given the prevalence of violence and sexual offences, it's crucial to be aware of your surroundings, particularly during the evening hours. When out walking, stick to well-lit routes and avoid isolated areas. Due to the incidence of other theft, secure valuables and be mindful of your belongings in public spaces. Consider reporting any suspicious activity to the local authorities. Lock your doors and windows, even when you’re at home. Finally, be vigilant about anti-social behaviour and report any incidents that cause concern.

Crime in West Wittering tends to be distributed throughout the day, with a slight peak in the evening hours, particularly between 6pm and 12am. During this period, burglaries are more likely to occur, while theft and anti-social behaviour also see a noticeable increase. Morning hours (6am-12pm) see a higher proportion of reported theft, likely linked to commercial activity. While no single period dominates, awareness and vigilance are important at all times of day.

When assessing West Wittering’s safety, it's helpful to consider neighbouring communities. Shipton Green and West Itchenor both report zero crimes, demonstrating exceptionally low crime rates. However, East Wittering and Birdham have higher crime rates, with 61.4 and 42.9 per 1,000 residents respectively. This variation highlights the localised nature of crime and underscores that safety levels can differ significantly even within a small geographical area. Understanding these comparative statistics can provide a broader perspective on West Wittering’s safety profile.

Traditional CCTV systems often simply record events after they’ve occurred, offering little in the way of preventative action. In an area like West Wittering, where opportunistic crime can be a concern, a more proactive approach to home security is increasingly valuable. Systems like scOS offer a significant upgrade. scOS, an AI-powered home security operating system, uses multi-camera intelligence to watch your property boundary, instantly verifying vehicles with the DVLA and learning your family’s routines. This allows it to detect genuine threats before they escalate, rather than just recording the aftermath. The visible deterrence of a professional-grade system, combined with its proactive response capabilities, can significantly reduce the likelihood of a break-in – making that crucial 60-second decision for potential burglars a much less appealing prospect.