Worthing Crime Rate August 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In August 2024, Worthing's overall crime rate stood at 8.0 per 1,000 residents, placing it 2.4% below the UK average of 8.2 per 1,000. This figure reflects a balanced distribution between property and violent crime, with each category accounting for nearly a third of all reported incidents. Violence and sexual offences emerged as the most prevalent category, contributing 34.5% of total crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (17.8%) and shoplifting (11.7%). The proximity to the UK average suggests that local policing strategies and community initiatives may be maintaining a stable crime environment. Seasonal factors appear to play a role, as August—a peak holiday month—coincides with higher burglary risks due to increased empty homes and tourist activity. This pattern aligns with broader trends observed in coastal towns during summer, where temporary population shifts can influence crime dynamics. The data also reveals a notable disparity in category-specific performance: while violent crime rates exceed the UK average by 4%, property crime categories such as vehicle crime and burglary fall significantly below national benchmarks, potentially reflecting the area's lower density of commercial zones and better-targeted prevention efforts. These findings underscore the combination of local geography, seasonal rhythms, and crime patterns, warranting continued monitoring as the year progresses.

August 2024 saw significant month-on-month fluctuations, with burglary increasing by 35% (20 to 27 incidents) and criminal damage and arson rising by 33.8% (65 to 87). These surges may be linked to the summer holiday season, which often sees higher rates of vandalism and unoccupied properties. Conversely, robbery fell sharply by 57.1% (7 to 3), and vehicle crime dropped by 56.1% (41 to 18), likely due to reduced vehicle presence in the area during peak tourist periods. The crime mix also revealed stark contrasts with the UK average: violence and sexual offences were 4% above the national rate, while shoplifting and criminal damage were 27% and 29% above, respectively. This divergence highlights Worthing's unique challenges in managing public order offences and retail crime. For residents, the most immediate concern is the 27% increase in shoplifting, which could indicate vulnerabilities in local retail security or changing consumer behaviour during the summer months. These findings suggest that while overall crime remains stable, targeted interventions may be needed to address the specific categories showing growth.

Worthing's crime rate in August 2024 (8.0 per 1,000) represents a 3.2% increase from the previous month's rate of 7.8 per 1,000, reflecting short-term fluctuations typical of seasonal transitions. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 30 reported crimes per day during August, a figure that, while modest, underscores the continuous presence of criminal activity. When scaled to the local population, this equates to one reported crime occurring for roughly every 124 residents over the course of the month—a metric that provides context for individual risk perception. This monthly exposure rate is comparable to other medium-sized towns in the UK, though the specific distribution of crime types sets Worthing apart. The 2.4% gap between Worthing's rate and the UK average (8.2 per 1,000) highlights the area's relative success in maintaining lower-than-average crime levels, particularly in categories like burglary and vehicle crime, which are 38% and 56% below the national average, respectively. However, the 4% excess in violent crime and the 27% surplus in shoplifting suggest that certain local factors, such as retail density or community dynamics, may require closer scrutiny. These comparisons illustrate both the strengths and challenges of Worthing's policing environment, offering valuable insights for residents and local authorities alike.