Worthing Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In January 2024, Worthing recorded 913 crimes across a population of 113,866 residents, translating to a crime rate of 8.0 per 1,000 individuals. This figure places the area 8.1% above the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000, highlighting a modest but measurable divergence from national trends. The most prevalent crime types were violence and sexual offences (287 cases, 31.4% of total), shoplifting (227 cases, 24.9%), and anti-social behaviour (93 cases, 10.2%). These patterns align with the area's character as a coastal town with a mix of urban and suburban environments, where high foot traffic in retail zones may contribute to shoplifting incidents. Seasonal context suggests that January's post-holiday period and reduced retail activity may have influenced crime dynamics, though the sharp increase in shoplifting remains unexplained by standard seasonal factors. Violence and sexual offences, while lower than the UK average for this category (2.6 per 1,000), still represent a significant portion of the crime profile, reflecting the area's demographic mix and social interactions. The relatively low rates of burglary (0.2 per 1,000) and vehicle crime (0.3 per 1,000) may be attributed to effective community policing or the area's geographic layout, which limits opportunities for such crimes. However, the marked elevation in shoplifting compared to the UK average raises questions about local retail security measures or changing criminal priorities. These findings suggest a combination of local conditions and national trends, warranting further analysis to identify targeted interventions.

January 2024 saw significant fluctuations in specific crime categories. Robbery incidents surged by 100%, rising from 4 to 8 cases, a sharp increase that may reflect heightened vulnerability in certain areas. Similarly, shoplifting rose by 61%, jumping from 141 to 227 incidents, placing this category 251% above the UK average. This stark deviation highlights a potential link to post-holiday retail dynamics or targeted retail theft patterns. Conversely, possession of weapons fell by 37.5%, decreasing from 8 to 5 cases, an anomaly that could indicate successful community interventions or a temporary shift in criminal activity. These changes underscore the volatility of specific crime types, with shoplifting's disproportionate rise demanding closer attention from local authorities.

Worthing's crime rate in January 2024 rose to 8.0 per 1,000 residents, marking a 15.2% increase from the previous month's 7.0 per 1,000. This shift reflects a notable rise in reported incidents, particularly in specific categories. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 29 crimes per day, a figure that underscores the pace of activity in a local context. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 125 residents, a monthly exposure that provides a tangible sense of the crime profile for individuals living in the area. This rate, while higher than the previous month, must be contextualised within the broader population of 113,866 residents, where the per capita impact remains a key consideration for community safety initiatives.