Worthing Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

In December 2023, Worthing’s crime rate stood at 7.0 per 1,000 residents — 2.8% below the UK average of 7.2 per 1,000. This figure translates to one reported crime for every 144 residents over the course of the month, a perspective that frames risk in everyday terms for local households. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 34.4% of all incidents, a rate that was 8% below the UK average. This suggests a relative safety in personal safety matters, though the high proportion of violent crime remains a concern. Shoplifting followed at 17.8% of the total, with a rate 145% above the UK average, highlighting the need for continued retail security efforts. The seasonal context of December — with its long evenings, holiday shopping surges, and temporary empty homes — likely influenced these patterns. For instance, the rise in criminal damage and arson (11.2% of total crimes) could be linked to increased festive decoration use and property maintenance during the winter. Meanwhile, the lower-than-average rates for vehicle crime (33% below UK) and burglary (43% below) may reflect reduced outdoor activity and heightened security measures during the festive season. These data points illustrate how local conditions, combined with broader national trends, shape the crime picture in a coastal town with a mix of urban and residential areas.

December 2023 saw a 37.1% decrease in shoplifting compared to the previous month, potentially linked to holiday shopping patterns and increased retail security measures. Conversely, criminal damage and arson rose by 36.9%, possibly tied to festive decorations and seasonal property management challenges. Violence and sexual offences, though still the most frequent category (34.4% of total crimes), were 8% below the UK average, a contrast to shoplifting’s 145% excess. Residents may find the 14.4% drop in vehicle crime (from 47 to 28 incidents) particularly relevant, as it suggests reduced risks in parking areas during the festive period. These shifts reflect a combination of seasonal behaviour, local initiatives, and broader demographic trends in a coastal town with a mix of residential and commercial zones.

Worthing's crime rate in December 2023 dropped to 7.0 per 1,000 residents, a 17.1% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 8.4 per 1,000. This decline suggests a shift in local crime dynamics during the festive season, though seasonal factors such as holiday closures and reduced foot traffic may have played a role. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 26 crimes per day — a figure that, while specific to Worthing, provides a tangible sense of local exposure. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 144 residents, a rate that places the area slightly below the UK average but highlights the ongoing need for vigilance. This monthly aggregate does not account for fluctuations in daily patterns, such as spikes during late-night hours or weekends, which could affect individual risk perception. The population context further underscores that, despite the overall decline, residents remain part of a broader statistical picture where crime is distributed unevenly across communities and crime types.