Worthing Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Worthing's crime rate for October 2023 stood at 9.4 per 1,000 residents, 17.5% above the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This figure, while not uncommon for a coastal town with a mix of urban and suburban areas, reflects a persistent trend in local crime dynamics. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (386 incidents, 36.1% of total), followed by shoplifting (244 cases, 22.8%). These categories highlight the challenges faced by a town that balances tourism, retail activity, and a growing population. The seasonal context of October—marked by shorter days, the return of students to local universities, and the Halloween holiday—likely influenced the crime profile. Violence and sexual offences, which are 26% above the UK average, may be driven by the area's nightlife and social hubs, while shoplifting's 262% surplus over the UK average points to high-traffic retail zones. Anti-social behaviour, however, remained 22% below the UK average, a contrast that could be attributed to community policing efforts or the presence of local initiatives aimed at reducing disorder. The overall picture suggests that while some aspects of the crime profile are aligned with national trends, others are uniquely shaped by Worthing's geography and social fabric.

October 2023 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with other theft increasing by 32.7% (49 to 65) and burglary rising by 22.2% (18 to 22). These increases may reflect seasonal factors, such as the return of students to university campuses or the timing of Halloween, which can drive opportunistic theft. Conversely, theft from the person dropped by 50.0% (4 to 2), a decline that could be linked to heightened awareness during darker evenings or increased police presence in high-risk areas. Anti-social behaviour, which accounted for 10.9% of crimes, remained 22% below the UK average, a contrast to the sharp rise in shoplifting. Vehicle crime also fell by 22.5% (40 to 31), a decrease that may be attributed to reduced daylight hours deterring such offences. These fluctuations illustrate the combination of seasonal changes and local conditions, with some areas of the town appearing more resilient to crime than others.

Worthing's crime rate in October 2023 rose to 9.4 per 1,000 residents, a 3.0% increase from September's 9.1 per 1,000. This places the area 17.5% above the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000, a persistent gap that reflects local dynamics. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 34 crimes per day over the 31-day period, a figure that underscores the pace of activity in a town with a population of 113,866. When viewed through the lens of monthly exposure, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 107 residents during October—a ratio that, while not alarmingly high, highlights the need for ongoing vigilance. The population context reveals that crime remains concentrated in certain areas, with shoplifting and violence driving the gap above the UK average. This suggests that local factors, such as the presence of high-traffic retail zones or seasonal events like Halloween, may contribute to the pattern.